A rigorous and practical route into teaching
For many years, Initial Teacher Training at Eltham College, provided by the University of Buckingham, has offered a rigorous and practical route into the teaching profession. From the outset, trainees take responsibility for their own classes, applying educational theory directly to their teaching and developing their skills in real time. Supported by an experienced in-school mentor, they gain confidence and expertise through a challenging yet rewarding programme. Trainees earn a salary while training, and successful completion of the first year leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a PGCE from the University of Buckingham.
About Eltham College
Eltham College is an award-winning co-educational independent day school, where students regularly achieve exam results that are among the best in the UK. Alongside its outstanding academic results – which earned the school the accolade of being named London Independent School of the Year 2024 by The Sunday Times – Eltham is famed for its rich and varied co-curricular programme, the wealth of sporting, recreational and cultural opportunities it offers, and its nurturing and inclusive community.
Located in a quiet suburb of southeast London, yet only 15 minutes from the city’s centre, the College heads a family of schools which in total educates some 1500 boys and girls and comprises the senior school itself (for ages 11 to 18), Eltham College Junior School (for ages 7 to 11) and which shares the College’s leafy 70-acre campus, and nearby Blackheath Prep (ages 2 to 11). Strong pastoral care, an energetic House system which promotes collegiality, and a relaxed and unpretentious atmosphere make the school a happy and vibrant place for students and staff alike.
The path to a successful career
Many former trainees on our Initial Teacher Training programme have remained with us since qualifying and are now forging highly successful careers within Eltham College. Here is what they have to say about their experience.
Kirsten Bryson, Geography and Geology (Training year: 2015-16)
Tara Patel, English (Training year: 2022-23)
Amelia Hampton Armstrong, Economics (Training year: 2021-22)
Working full time alongside the training meant I could trial and error my methods quickly, and I also had the opportunity to get to know the pupils outside of the classroom, which really helped in class.
The staff were super helpful and wanted to help me learn, and the after-school training sessions provided nugget-sized ideas you could implement that week and reflect on the next, all alongside other trainees so you were not alone. Everyone was so helpful and didn’t expect you to be a perfect finished article.
This is now my tenth year at Eltham, and the opportunities to develop and get trained in different aspects have kept appearing.
My advice to anyone considering initial teacher training at Eltham? DO IT!
Every day presented a new and exciting challenge which allowed me to push myself and develop my own practice; the school’s culture of academic excellence made my training experience feel rigorous and purposeful.
I am now in my third year of teaching English at Eltham and have noticed a real increase in my confidence, both personally and professionally. My recent Year 11 class achieved outstanding GCSE results which would not have been possible without the excellent training I received in my ITT year.
For anyone thinking about completing their initial teacher training at Eltham…be prepared to work hard! The expectations are high, but that’s also what makes it such a special place to train: you’re surrounded by people who want you to succeed, and who will support you every step of the way.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have trained at Eltham, where hard work is recognised and doors continue to open for those who give their all. With excellent mentoring, supportive staff, and wonderful students, the teacher training programme is both rewarding and inspiring.
Beyond your department, there are countless opportunities – I’ve coached netball A teams, gone on sports tours to Spain and France, skied in Canada, and even led a charity trip to Uganda. I now hold the responsibility of Head of Trainee Teacher Recruitment and very much look forward to meeting and recruiting trainees onto this scheme.
Ben King, Physical Education (Training Year: 2017-18)
Kin Hassan, Computer Science (Training year: 2023-24)
I joined Eltham College as a Sports Graduate in 2016 and completed my PGCE with the University of Buckingham the following year.
The extensive support network, mentoring, and professional development at Eltham made the transition into teaching smooth and highly rewarding, allowing me to draw on the expertise of colleagues to grow as a teacher. The school’s outstanding facilities and vibrant community made it a genuine privilege to come to school each day.
Since then, I have held a range of leadership roles, including Head of PE & Games, Head of Rugby, Assistant Director of Sport, and Head of Sports Science.
For anyone considering initial teacher training at Eltham, there is no greater place to develop professionally and thrive in a rich pedagogical environment.
Throughout my ITT year, my mentor was incredibly supportive and provided me with excellent tools and advice to excel as a teacher.
Alongside attending lectures and writing essays, Eltham College offered frequent opportunities to undertake both essential and supplementary training.
The warm and kind attitudes of the staff and students have made Eltham College a place where I feel confident continuing my development as an ECT, and it is an opportunity I would urge any aspiring teacher to take with both hands.
