About Us

What are Training Schools?

“As centres of excellence for training, Training Schools act as experts in adult learning and the transfer of skills, and provide a venue for high quality professional development. It is expected that they will contribute to supporting the whole school workforce through providing a balance of training programmes that are personalised, relevant and contribute to teaching and learning. When working with colleagues that are joining the profession, Training Schools must expect their school-based support to model good practice and complement any professional standards. Other features of the role will be to extend the spread and reach of the school's work as an advocate and adviser for education and training, both locally and nationally.”

Training School - Initial Teacher Training

We currently offer a number of different routes into the teaching depending upon previous experience – this includes:


The Graduate Teaching Programme

The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) enables schools to employ those who are not yet qualified to teach and to train them through an individual training programme leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The programme suits graduates who want to change to a teaching career and need to continue earning whilst training. The training is tailored to suit individual needs in order to meet all the QTS Standards.

(Image of training event)

As a Trainee you will be employed as a supernumerary by the school which will pay the trainee as an unqualified teacher. The TDA will provide a training grant to cover the costs of training and will pay an employment grant of £13,000 to the employing school towards employment costs. Entry to the GTP is very competitive as the number of places (about 2,500 nationwide) is far less the traditional HEI-based PGCE route. Please see the SNITT link for more information.

In recent years Kesgrave has provided Graduate Training places in: English, Maths, Science, History, Design Technology, ICT, Psychology, Business Studies, Modern Languages and Drama.


The Post Graduate Certificate of Education

Open University linked pathway

QTLS (placements in partnership with University Campus Suffolk)

Associate Teacher scheme


We usually have up to 20/25 training places available in the year. Placements are usually available across the school in every department as all departments are involved in ITT with trained subject-specific mentors.
Our current partners are:

• University of East Anglia
• Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford
• The Open University
• Suffolk and Norfolk Initial Teacher Training
• University Campus Suffolk

As well as fixed term placements to fulfil training programme needs, we also offer focussed visits, for interested individuals keen to sample a school experience prior to applying for a training course or prior to taking up a training place.
Experience can be arranged on a daily or weekly basis. For details please see our contact page.

Training School - Outreach

We are currently working closely with Suffolk LA on a number of professional development programmes. This year Kesgrave hosted and ran the TDA recruitment course. We also lead a network of local schools to facilitate Induction for Newly Qualified Staff. We currently provide a venue for a number of training courses for the wider community provided by Suffolk LA and local network providers.

As part of recent development planning we have been able to expand our provision to provide more flexible facilities for use by external providers. We work closely with Suffolk and Norfolk GT programme to provide Lead school expertise in Maths and Psychology and Lead School SCITT Music. Along with other Training Schools in the Eastern Region (ERTS) we are involved in delivering a Masters Level programme in partnership with Anglia Ruskin to our own staff and staff in local schools.

Kesgrave - Key Features

Kesgrave has a unique culture and ethos. A recent Ofsted Inspection (Nov.2008) recognised Kesgrave as:

"… an outstanding school. It provides an excellent learning environment in which students enjoy their education
and thrive. Specialist accommodation is first-rate. Parents praise the school for the quality of their children's
education and the constant drive to improve standards still further."

One parent summed up the views of many by commenting that:

'I feel a real buzz of enthusiasm as I enter; I only wish I was back at school!'

Find out more about our "key features" upon our Showcase Expertise page

We welcome enquiries from interested parties who wish to experience our organisation and culture.
Please contact us to arrange a focussed visit or we can also arrange if preferred, a visiting speaker.

How to find us

Use the Interactive map below to find us, alternativley click "view larger map" to see this full screen.