Visit to the PCP in Southampton

Last Friday, I visited the Primary Catholic Partnership (PCP) in Southampton to address the cohort of students who this year are aspiring to become teachers. The PCP specialises in SCITT, that is, school centred initial teacher training and has been graded Outstanding by Ofsted since 2011. It does so based on a Catholic philosophy of education. It has been based in the grounds of Holy Family School, Southampton and has been in business for 20 years. It offers a one year PGCE programme validated by Bath Spa University to those seeking to become primary school teachers and a range of School Direct courses in partnership with CTSA (Catholic Teaching Schools Alliance). As a school-centred training provider, their programmes offer plenty of hands-on learning, providing ‘an exceptionally effective balance of academic and practical experiences’ that lead to the award of Qualified Teacher Status. It boasts an excellent record of trainees gaining a teaching post after completing the programme. Angela Barnes is the Director of the programmes and you can find more information about the PCP by checking out their website or emailing: admin@pcp-scitt.org.uk.

I met the 39 students signed up for this year and gave a presentation about the role of religion and the life and mission of the Diocese.