Beckmead Trust

Why did you choose Tes Institute?

Our experience with Tes Institute has been overwhelmingly positive, primarily due to their flexible and accessible learning pathways that perfectly aligns with our Trust needs. Their school-led programmes allow for a practical, on-the-job approach to training, which is particularly beneficial for our staff.

We value that Tes is a nationally recognised and accredited provider with the geographical coverage to support all our schools. A key advantage for our special educational needs (SEND) schools is the flexibility of "stage not age", which accommodates the unique learning journeys of our pupils and allows our learners to focus on meeting their needs. The comprehensive support and mentoring provided by Tes has significantly reduced the workload on our Senior Leadership Teams (SLT), who often have small teams and high demands.

The straightforward and easy-to-manage process for our unqualified teachers has been empowering, allowing them to focus on their growth without being burdened by overly demanding administrative tasks.

What did your trust hope to achieve by offering Straight to Teaching and Assessment Only with Tes Institute?

• Strategic partnership: We switched to Tes due to the growth of our Trust, needing a consistent and national offer for all our unqualified teachers.
• Talent retention: We are passionate about "growing our own" staff and retaining talented employees, and we believe Tes's partnership helps us achieve this.
• Maintaining standards: We wanted to ensure that our unqualified teachers receive the support and guidance they need to successfully achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and believed Tes would help us do so, regardless of the different regions our Trust has expanded to and specialist education settings.
• A refined process: The partnership offers a streamlined and efficient way for our unqualified teachers (UQTs) to achieve QTS.
• Enhanced support: Tes provides crucial mentoring and support, which is especially important for our SEND schools that may have limited staff resources.
• Flexible and inclusive: The accessible process accommodates our diverse range of schools and teachers, allowing them to demonstrate their expertise in a way that positively acknowledges the unique needs of SEND teaching.

How has Tes Institute supported your trust to achieve your goals?

The fantastic communication and support from Tes Institute have been evident since our initial meeting, with their team always on hand to promptly answer our questions. We now offer the Straight to Teaching pathway, which has been invaluable for expanding the support and mentoring we provide to our teachers embarking on their training journey. This is particularly crucial given the specific needs of our SEND settings, where staff teams are often smaller. Tes Institute's national coverage ensures that this consistent, high-quality support and expertise are accessible to all our schools, regardless of their location, while their flexible approach and specific expertise in accommodating diverse learning needs empowers our teachers to demonstrate their skills in a framework that is not limiting.

How have you found working with Tes Institute?

We have found the Tes team to be knowledgeable, supportive and highly efficient. Their welcoming and accommodating approach was reassuring for our entire Trust staff as we transitioned to a new partnership and system. Tes Institute's fantastic reputation is well-deserved; their established, easy-to-access information and resources have proven to be an invaluable asset for our staff.

What has the impact of the courses been on your schools and your staff?

By partnering with Tes Institute, we have successfully created an easier workload for everyone involved in the process. The simplified procedures and strong support systems mean our staff can focus more on teaching and learning rather than on burdensome administrative tasks. This has also significantly contributed to our ability to further develop our "grow our own" culture, which is a key part of our strategy to retain our most talented employees.

The programme is cost-effective, and the positive responses we've received from our candidates has confirmed the value of our partnership. Our teachers feel that gaining their QTS is now more achievable with Tes due to the manageable course requirements and comprehensive support. The accessible route for staff to advance their careers has been a powerful motivator and a significant morale booster.

What would you tell another trust who is thinking of working with Tes Institute?

To a trust considering a partnership with Tes Institute, we would highly recommend it. It is a strategic and highly effective solution for staff development, staff retention and recruitment. The partnership allows you to build a powerful "grow your own" culture, providing a clear and accessible pathway for your most committed support staff to become qualified teachers. This not only retains talent but also ensures your future teachers are already an excellent fit for your schools.

Tes offers a consistent and high-quality national programme that streamlines the entire process. Their flexible approach to ensuring that learners meet the criteria for assessment, particularly in accommodating SEND settings, and their exceptional support system for both candidates and senior leaders makes the journey to QTS achievable. It is a partnership that empowers your staff while strengthening your trust.

How would you sum up your experience with Tes Institute in a sentence?

Working with Tes Institute has enabled us to offer highly effective and flexible pathways for our valued staff within a range of educational settings.

Great schools need great teachers. Find out how Tes Institute can help you train, qualify and retain your talented teaching staff.

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