"The training so far has been fully immersive with the theory being put into practice every day. I am now 7 weeks in and am part of my department, testing out my teaching practice and getting credible feedback from the professionals I am working alongside. I know that by the end of the year I will be raring to start my first teaching job with confidence in my abilities, an understanding of the expectations that school life brings, knowledge of the numerous theories and styles of teaching practice, and a thorough insight into the curriculum I am there to teach."

"So far, I've gained invaluable insights into how my students think and how to structure lessons that foster an effective learning environment. I've also started to balance my time more effectively between work and home, allowing me to give my best to both. Currently, I’m learning how to teach positive behaviour by setting clear expectations, reinforcing positive actions, and engaging in open communication with my students. The course structure and content have been incredibly helpful along the way. I'm truly enjoying my journey in teaching. I love building connections with my students and seeing their progress. I find the reflective aspect of teaching deeply rewarding—it’s not only helping me become a better teacher but also a better person for my students. I’m genuinely excited about becoming fully qualified and supporting my students in their journey through technology education."

"The IFT program has provided me with the opportunity to apply a variety of teaching skills in a more practical way, compared to a traditional route. Their emphasis on teacher well-being is exceptional and offers invaluable knowledge that I will appreciate not only throughout my training but also during my ECT years. The blended learning approach, combining face-to-face and online study, exemplifies their commitment to well-being, giving me the opportunity to manage my workload and establish a healthy work-life balance. The clear communication and positivity from my Hub Lead and Programme Coordinator have made my transition to training at my host school incredibly smooth".

"I love that mathematics offers multiple perspectives; to me, it’s like a window into the diversity of human thought. As a French-Korean, I enjoy reading French literature and watching K-dramas. In my spare time, I like spending time with family and friends, traveling to discover different cultures, and listening to classical music, which connects me to deeper existential reflections. I’m a career changer, and I chose to enter teaching because of my passion for maths and my desire to challenge the common belief that some people are not good at it. I firmly believe that everyone can learn maths and find it rewarding with effort. My greatest achievement so far has been raising three children safely into their teenage years. Currently, I am enjoying my training with Inspiring Future Teachers, appreciating the warm and supportive atmosphere. Spending most of the school year at the same school allows me to feel like part of the school community, and I value the combination of theory and practice that encourages deeper thinking about teaching and pedagogy."

"The training with Inspiring Future Teacher couldn't have been better, my mentors, tutors and the entire team are absolutely outstanding, and always helpful and welcoming. This is a unique experience for anyone who is planning to enter this incredibly interesting profession that is teaching."

Through my experience as a TA in previous roles, I discovered a passion for supporting students in the maths department. I was particularly drawn to helping pupils who struggled with or disliked maths because they found it boring or too difficult. I want to show them that maths can be enjoyable and empower them to overcome challenges in the subject. Outside of teaching, I enjoy reading the Roy Grace Series by Peter James, and I’ve recently taken up golf—a hobby I knew I’d love after my first driving range session, which inspired me to buy my own clubs. I also enjoy paddleboarding, running for the sense of freedom it provides, solving Sudoku puzzles (I even competed in a national championship at 14), and baking new recipes. I began my career in stage management, earning a degree in the field and working on productions in London before returning to Sussex. While I enjoyed working on smaller productions, the opportunities in the area were limited, and it wasn’t sustainable financially. I then worked at Chailey Heritage for five years, a job I loved, before transitioning to a school role at Step by Step to gain more sociable hours. Later, I joined Chailey Secondary School, where I developed a deeper appreciation for maths while working as a TA. Over time, I progressed to being a Maths Faculty Assistant and Cover Supervisor, but I realized I wanted to do more than assist or cover lessons—I wanted to become the teacher. I aim to fully engage in teaching, planning, and inspiring students, breaking through the “just a TA” or “just a cover supervisor” label to make a meaningful impact in the classroom. One of my greatest achievements has been getting into teacher training, a step that feels deeply rewarding. If you asked my mum, she’d probably point to when I worked at the Orpheus Centre, helping young adults put on a music concert—something she was incredibly proud to see. Throughout this journey, I’ve been fortunate to meet amazing, supportive people, particularly the team at Tanbridge, who have been instrumental in helping me get where I am today. I am thoroughly enjoying my teacher training with IFT and am excited about the months ahead!

The IOW hub has been a great benefit to allowing me to access teacher training. Juggling family life and the cost of travel alongside training was a huge factor in my decision to go ahead and commit to training to teach.