Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Inclusive Practice - supporting all trainee teachers

 

What does inclusive practice look like for our trainees?

We recognise some trainee teachers might need additional support or reasonable adjustments to the training programme in order for them to reach their potential, and successfully complete the year.

We support the implementation of reasonable adjustments and support for trainees, while recognising that the end point aim of meeting the Teacher Standards cannot be adjusted: support must always be with the goal of enabling trainee teachers to successfully reach the national standard set to qualify as a teacher by the end of the training programme.

The school mentor plays a key role in supporting trainees in all aspects of the programme:

Pre-Programme Support 

  • application – identification of need for further support at interview, and opportunities for support in interview preparation
  • interview – identification of need for further support to be considered in placement and induction planning 
  • induction – personalised to the needs of the trainee teacher, with extra opportunities for bespoke induction where needed
  • identification of reasonable adjustments and pre-planning with placement schools

 

During the training year 

  • implementation of reasonable adjustments identified in the pre-programme stage
  • weekly mentoring support designed for regular target setting, review, and implementation of strategies personalised to the needs of the trainee teacher
  • early identification of the need for additional support through rigorous tracking of progress
  • planned intervention with experts from the BCTSA Central Team as needed
  • personalised support on development needs beyond that covered in the standard curriculum
  • delivery of additional targeted training as needed 
  • involvement of external agencies where appropriate
  • access to Bath Spa university support for academic demands of the PGCE programme (PGCE route only)

 

Post-programme support 

  • personalised job hunting support
  • preparation for ECT
  • ongoing tracking and access to BCTSA CPD and support ongoing during ECT years

 

Support for trainees in the demanding training year is at the heart of our SCITT offer.

 

"The support from start to finish has been great, I have thoroughly enjoyed the training days which set me up well for the remainder of the week in school. This training is intensive but well structured, which has given me the confidence and skills to start my teacher training journey! Bishop Challoner Training School really fosters an inclusive environment and ensures these values are embedded throughout the training."

Roz, Art Trainee 2025

 

There are three layers to our wellbeing support.

Programme wellbeing support 

For all trainees, we offer wellbeing support built into the programme design:

  • Personal wellbeing and workload mentor check-ins in weekly mentor meetings
  • Explicit discussion of wellbeing and workload strategies in weekly training sessions,led by experienced teachers
  • Wellbeing bulletins to share wellbeing strategies throughout the year
  • A programme design that carefully considers the course workload across the year, helping trainees balance their time and plan to manage workload effectively
  • If trainees are on the PGCE programme, they will have access to the University wellbeing services offered by Bath Spa University: https://www.bathspa.ac.uk/students/student-wellbeing-services/
  • Contact details for the central team so you can talk about any worries you have at any time

Additional, targeted support

At points during the year, trainees might have individual wellbeing needs which mean they need additional, targeted support. This support will always be bespoke, to help them navigate any challenges they are facing, whether as part of the programme, or with life outside of studies.

The role of trainee support team is to provide:

  • Listen to you
  • Help you identify sources of support, signposting you to support services
  • Plan and problem solve
  • Agree any actions and next steps

Our team are not trained counsellors or able to offer clinical advice: our guidance is to help signpost you to those who can provide expert services.

 

External signposting

There are a number of external routes mentors to signpost trainees towards:


While we can’t vouch for individual organisations, we might recommend:

  • NHS Support, for example from your doctor
  • Education Support, a charity for those in school with a hotline for additional support
  • The TES Wellbeing Hub - Programme wellbeing support

For urgent, non-emergency support

  • Call 111 (NHS) or your GP
  • Talk to your pharmacist
  • Samaritans
  • Education Support hotline
  • Call 0800 129 9999 to contact the NHS Mental Health Crisis team if you need urgent, but non-emergency help

We also try to provide more broad wellbeing opportunities, in response to the needs of the cohort each year.