Our Community - Our Future

Headstart (ITT/ECT Provision)

Headstart: ITT provision

Marple Hall School is continually looking to increase its capacity to support ITTs from a wide range of providers. We currently have fully trained subject mentors in subjects across the curriculum, working under the guidance of three school professional mentors.

What makes us stand out?

We have a dedicated ‘Headstart Suite’ for ITTs to base themselves in. This space has PC facilities, a kitchen and CPD library full of academic books and magazines to support ITTs on the start of their teaching career. Delivered every week our are bespoke professionals studies sessions to help students develop the areas they need. We also have a weekly mentor bulletin to support our mentors and trainees. ITTs offer so much to a school and here at MHS we want to recognise this and make them feel part of the MHS team. Providers and students feel that we provide an excellent training experience and we are proud of the programme of Professional Studies sessions that we deliver. Take a read of our ITT testimonials below.

Emily – ITT 2021/22

University Of Manchester

I really enjoyed my time at Marple Hall School it was a great place to start my teacher training and all the staff I interacted with were helpful and supportive. In particular, my subject mentors provided constant support and helpful feedback which was so useful to my development as a teacher.

Having a specific room for the trainees also was an additional bonus as we quickly became a support system for each other and having a group of people who were going through the same thing as me was an invaluable resource. Overall thank you for a wonderful first placement experience!

Harvey – ITT 2021/22

University Of Huddersfield

I am thoroughly enjoying my time at MHS. I was welcomed into my department straight away, and given an excellent department mentor. I was given responsibility straightaway, and in my first year I was able to plan a 3 day residential at the end of the school year, as well as other trips and school fixtures throughout the year.

I really enjoy my role as a form tutor, and feel privileged to have such an important part in these young people’s lives. My ECT sessions have been both useful and informative and has enabled me to utilise new ideas and strategies in the classroom.

My Professional Mentor, was also very supportive and was someone I knew I could email or meet to ask a question or gain some advice and would reply promptly with support. The advice he has given me has not only improved how I teach this class but how I teach other classes to and he has helped me improve as a teacher.

Overall, it has been a pleasure to train at Marple Hall School and I look forward to coming back after Easter.

Lauren – ITT 2021/22

Manchester Metropolitan University

From the moment I started my placement at Marple Hall I was instantly made to feel apart of the community. Both staff and students were extremely accommodating and warming as I progressed throughout my teaching experience which really aided my development as a student teacher. I really benefited from the opportunity to watch other teachers and subjects as it has allowed me to think deeper into how my own lessons work and how I can facilitate students learning. The professional development sessions each week were so beneficial to my practice and these sessions have really started to come through in my teaching. I appreciated the fact that they were tailored to us and the things we wanted more information on.

There is no moment throughout my time here when I have not felt supported by colleagues. When things have not gone exactly to plan both my professional mentor and subject mentor were there to build me back up. They were incredibly supportive which made such a difference in my confidence as a trainee. There never a moment of doubt that I was ever alone in this process, they believed in me when I maybe was not so sure. My experience here at Marple Hall is something that I will never forget; it has been an amazing place to start my teaching journey. This has by far been one of the most challenging years, but definitely the most rewarding and I am greatly appreciative in all the support and feedback I have received.

Katy – ITT 2020/21

Nexus

After the government announced schools were to close in January, just as I was about to commence with my placement at MHS, I must admit I felt anxious. I didn’t know what this would mean for my training. Would I still have opportunity to teach? How does MHS intend to teach their students remotely? Will it be live lessons or something else? Needless to say, I was in safe hands at MHS. The school is extremely organised and proficient at providing the best possible education for both its students and staff.

Although I have only been at MHS for one term, I have been made to feel like one of the team. The positive environment and support I have received has been second to none. I feel my pedagogy has developed instrumentally, thanks to the expert guidance from my subject and professional mentors.

I will be leaving MHS content, confident and with a instrumental amount of resources, knowledge and experiences that I am sure I will be using in my teaching career for years to come.

Thank you.

Georgie – ITT 2020/21

Altius Alliance

My experience at Marple Hall has been a positive one. My Subject Mentor and Professional Mentor have both been hugely supportive and have always made time to answer my questions or help me in any way they can, and I feel like they are both regularly in touch and have my best interest at heart, which has been really reassuring throughout.

Professional studies on a Thursday has been a great opportunity to see all the other trainees and know that we are all experiencing the same challenges and highs of teaching. Every single member of the department has been friendly and approachable, and they have fully included me from day one.

Every single member of the department has been friendly and approachable, they have fully included me from day one.

I have learned so much about different ways to teach my subject and I feel that I have progressed hugely during this placement. Thank you MHS 🙂

Jack – ITT 2020/21

University Of Manchester

My time at MHS has been hugely beneficial in terms of my development as a teacher. The support I received from my mentors, the CLs and Head of Faculty and all members of the department has enabled me to learn a huge amount.

Everyone was always willing to talk through lesson ideas, student behaviour and teaching in general. Undoubtedly, MHS and the department is a fantastically supportive and welcoming environment for any trainee.

Every class was different and it was great to get to know the students and see their enthusiasm for learning (most of the time!)

The professional studies sessions were incredibly useful and informative and I have lots of ideas that I will use as I begin my career.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at MHS and consider myself privileged to have been a part of the Marple Hall Community, albeit for a short amount of time.

Victoria – ITT 2020/21

Altius Alliance

I have felt really welcomed at MHS and feel that I have been able to form good relationships with the students and other members of staff.

The professional studies sessions were extremely interesting and useful -I just wish they could have been a bit longer, there was always so much to talk about.

The first year of teaching is really difficult – there’s no two ways around it – but working in a faculty and at a school that protects and champions me like MHS makes it considerably more manageable.

We work hard to establish and embed strong, professional relationships with our providers and this is growing year on year, see the providers we host ITTs for below…

If you are an ECT and are interested in applying for a job at MHS, check out our ECT testimonials below.

Amy Ditchfield – ECT2

Art & Technology

Starting at Marple Hall as an ECT has been an amazing experience.

We have been provided with in house ECT training sessions that support our development and give us an opportunity to share good practise. During my two years as an ECT I have been fully supported and encouraged by my mentors with regular check ins, observations and feedback.

Both of my departments have been amazing to work with, always encouraging development. I have loved how important development is to the school as a whole and how enthusiastic the pupils are both in lesson and in extra-curriculars.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Marple Hall and can’t wait for the future here ?

Matthew White – ECT1

I feel proud to be part of Marple Hall and the wider school community.

Hazel Dalglish – ECT2

Science

Completing my ECT years at MHS has been better than I could have expected. I was welcomed in to an incredibly supportive department who immediately made me feel part of the team. Within the department, my mentor has had a huge impact on my experience.

Throughout the two years she has been my confidant, support system and the person I have bounced most of my ideas off. She has supported my development in more ways that I can fit into this testimonial, and together we have advanced each other’s teaching practice.

The guidance from induction mentors, ECF facilitators and additional CPD opportunities in school have also shaped my teaching practice and made me a much more confident – and dare I say better – teacher.

Simon Waide – ECT1

Maths

Even before I joined MHS, I felt welcomed. I asked if I could spend a couple of weeks at MHS in July, once my ITT course had finished, so that I could observe some teachers in the Maths Department (and even teach a lesson) to get a sense of the school and the department. Everyone was very obliging and welcomed me warmly into their classrooms.

This warm, helpful attitude has continued throughout my time. When I officially joined MHS in September my mentor, the ECT trainers, my department and other staff members have been so supportive as I begin my teaching career. I have found the feedback I have received to be constructive and helpful, and it has allowed me to develop as a teacher.

The ECT face to face and virtual training sessions have also been very useful, and the extra training sessions and support that Tony and Emma (ECT induction tutor and coordinator) have provided have helped solidify what I have learned.

While there have been some challenges (as you would expect starting any new career), I have felt supported through all of them and really enjoyed my first 6 months at MHS.

Matthew Lawrowitch – ECT1

History

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Marple as a first year ECT teacher. I have received excellent support from my mentor that has allowed me to quickly discuss and solve any questions or concerns that I have had. The ECT program has provided me with regular opportunities to discuss best practice with other ECT’s and experienced colleagues, to help build and develop upon my ITT training.

Feedback on my progress has felt genuinely supportive and has allowed me adapt and develop a variety of teaching techniques to support my students. Marple’s Open Door policy also allows me to easily observe other teachers within and outside of my department. I believe that ECT’s are well supported at the start of their career journey and are given the tools to succeed in an excellent school environment at Marple.

Annabel Clegg – ECT1

Technology

After completing my Placement B during my PGCE, I was lucky enough to secure a teaching post here at Marple to complete my ECT.

The support I have been given has been excellent and I feel confident that my career is progressing positively. I feel that observations of my lessons are not to be critical or harsh, but are to develop my skills and enhance my teaching. This is due to the culture here at Marple where observations are open to all teachers, through the Open Door Policy. Being observed is something I look forward to as it offers me a range of feedback, from a range of experienced teachers.

That I feel, is the most important way to develop as an ECT, and I am glad that we have a fantastic group of SLT, mentors, and experienced teachers who are willing to support me.

Matthew Hayward – ECT1

English

It was very clear to me, from my first induction day at Marple Hall, that this school is a vibrant, caring community, packed full of wonderfully supportive staff and brilliant, sparky children. There is nothing over the last six months that has changed my perception.

Everybody involved in my development as a teacher has been incredibly helpful: from detailed curriculum conversations within my department, to insightful feedback sessions with my induction tutor. I must give a special mention to my subject mentor, whose guidance, wisdom, generosity and experience I could not have done without.

Headstart: ECT Provision

The importance we place on providing our trainees with effective training also feeds through to our ECT offer. We have a strong provision set up for our ECT1/2s, and are proud of this. ECTs need a supportive environment to flourish and we pair them up with strong Mentors who champion them every day as well as pairing them up with another member of staff (buddy) who can offer support. If you are an ECT and are interested in applying for a job at MHS, please see what you will receive at MHS below. We’re also passionate about ensuring staff wellbeing is catered for, you’ll find our Wellbeing document here with our school offer to all staff, also below.

Entitlement for All ECT’s at Marple Hall

10% timetable reduction in their first year of induction
5% off timetable in the second year of teaching
EMTSH provides external high quality training materials for all ECT’s in Year 1 and 2
UCL provides a detailed week by week curricula and training materials to engage with independently and with mentors in Year 1 and 2 of the ECF.
In Year 1 ECT’s meet ‘in house’ once a half term and in Year 2 once a term

MHS Headstart Suite

Contacts

For any ITT enquiries, please contact

Tony Fitzgerald – Assistant Headteacher

Email anthony.fitzgerald@marplehall.stockport.sch.uk

Alex Purdie – SM Co-ordinator and Professional Mentor

Email alex.purdie@marplehall.stockport.sch.uk

Sophie Neil – Professional Mentor

Email sophie.neil@marplehall.stockport.sch.uk

For any ECT enquiries, please contact

Tony Fitzgerald – Assistant Headteacher

Email anthony.fitzgerald@marplehall.stockport.sch.uk

Emma Higgins – Lead Teacher for ECT’s

Email emma.higgins@marplehall.stockport.sch.uk

Our Community - Our Future

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Marple Hall School
Hill Top Drive
Marple
Stockport SK6 6LB Headteacher: Mr Joe Barker

Tel: 0161 427 7966
Fax: 0161 426 0931
Email: info@marplehall.stockport.sch.uk
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