The Reality of Teacher Training: What Needs to Change?

In this episode, Lucy and Hannah dive into the ever-evolving world of teacher training, reflecting on their own experiences and exploring what’s working—and what isn’t—in today’s system.

Personal Journeys into Teaching

Hannah’s route into teaching wasn’t conventional. After travelling the world as a scuba diving instructor, she found herself stepping into the classroom, learning on the job in a salary-based training programme. Meanwhile, Lucy took a more traditional approach, completing a PGCE after a stint in PR and advertising (which, as she amusingly admits, ended with her getting fired three times!). Both share their thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of different training pathways.

Does Teacher Training Actually Prepare You?

The discussion highlights a major issue: does initial teacher training (ITT) really equip new teachers with the skills they need? Lucy recalls the disconnect between universities and schools, making her feel stuck between differing expectations. Hannah, having mentored many trainees, notes that often, the focus is on academic tasks rather than practical skills, leaving new teachers unprepared for real classroom challenges.What’s Missing from Teacher Training?Both agree that current teacher training is too short and needs a radical overhaul.

Some key points:

• More Time in Schools: Instead of rushing into teaching, Hannah suggests a two-year model—starting as a classroom assistant in year one to build experience before teaching in year two.

• Better Support & Mentoring: Many trainees don’t get enough structured feedback from experienced teachers. Good mentoring is essential, but it’s often inconsistent.

• Real-World Preparation: New teachers need training on workload management, safeguarding, school structures, and even digital tools like Google Classroom and Teams.

• Funding Fairness: The disparity in funding for different subjects is a major issue. Arts subjects, for example, receive far less than STEM subjects, which Hannah argues is unfair and devalues certain disciplines.

• Wider Experience: Trainees often only see one type of school, particularly when training within academy trusts. A broader experience across different school environments would better prepare them for varied teaching careers.

The Future of Teacher Training

The episode questions whether England’s shift towards school-based teacher training is the right move. While it offers hands-on experience, does it provide enough theoretical understanding? And are schools really equipped to train teachers effectively?

Hannah and Lucy believe that a mix of academic and practical training is needed, with more structured progression, better mentorship, and proper funding to support future teachers.

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