A BRIDGWATER school has taken on six trainee teachers to help them advance with their training.

The trainees are working alongside teachers at Haygrove School in Durleigh Road and will teach lessons to students across the school.

The future teachers are part of the Quantock Teaching Alliance partnership with the University of Exeter who, as well as traditional PGCE courses, offer a predominately school-based training programme called School Direct.

Ed Hawkesworth, who is training to be a PE teacher and has worked in different schools before starting the School Direct programme, said he has been delighted with how the first weeks turned out. “Our training began with two weeks in the classroom which was a great initial experience.

"Haygrove strikes me as a school that really values the holistic development of young people, especially through their character development model, which is incorporated into lessons and school life.”

The trainees are united in their mission to become highly-skilled and qualified teachers who can make a difference to young peoples’ lives.

Future teacher, Hollie Lacey said she was pleased that the QTA and Haygrove School communicated with her during the summer months throughout the coronavirus pandemic. She said she enjoyed her experience of the classroom.

“Head Teacher Mr Reid and his team made me feel very welcome and we were provided with a wealth of knowledge and advice by the schools’ senior teachers during our initial induction," Hollie said.

"I cannot wait to return in November to continue my training at the school.”

Dave Mason who chose to embark on a teaching career after leaving the military added:“I was certain I wanted to teach History when I left the military, I was so pleased to get an interview with the Quantock Teaching Alliance and the whole interview process left me with such a good feeling.

"First impressions are always important and the QTA, and Haygrove School did not disappoint.

"We were all nervous at the start of the academic year and did not know what to expect, but it could not have started any better. The warm welcome from all of the staff was amazing and we soon felt at ease and ready to start our new adventure."