This is an exciting time for teacher education. The continuing opportunity for potential teachers to be able to undertake their training with a group of schools within an LA is still comparatively new. We in Somerset have put together a partnership to offer this route to Qualified Teacher Status because we believe it offers the right candidates the right circumstances in which to train in a practical but rigorous way. It also offers maximum contact with supportive schools, experienced staff and motivated pupils.  The introduction by the Government of a bursary for post graduate training for teaching has opened up this opportunity to a much wider range of people.

In addition, we are now, after a successful TDA bid, able to offer an alternative route, by providing trainees with the professional expertise to teach children aged 3-7 years.  This is an alternative to the existing route, which provides trainees with the expertise to teach children aged 5-11.