ST Polycarp’s Primary School has officially launched its ‘on the job’ teacher training initiative, opened by Jeremy Hunt, Health Secretary and MP for South West Surrey.

It is the only Catholic primary school in its Diocese to be granted Teaching School status and has formed an alliance with a number of other top schools in the area to provide the highest quality training for people looking for a career in teaching.

During the big day staff wanted to involve all of the children so they held a ‘Draw Your Teacher’ competition.

The whole ethos of the school, and therefore the Teaching School, is that the child is at the centre of everything and that will be a fundamental part of the teacher training programme.

The children were asked to draw a picture of their teacher to carry on the theme and the winners were drawn from each class in every year group (year reception to year six), and announced at assembly on the morning of the launch day.

The children with winning entries were presented with their picture in a frame at the media event by headteacher Ann Gunn and Mr Hunt.

Mr Hunt also said a few words to congratulate St Polycarp’s and talked about how teacher training in outstanding schools was a “model for the future”, and how important it is to have strong schools leading teacher training initiatives.

Mrs Gunn added: “This is a really exciting time for the school. We’re really looking forward to welcome our first intake of students in the autumn.

“They will be given a great deal of support and guidance during their school-based training, and hopefully it will be the start of many successful teaching careers for people who live in the region.

“Learning ‘on the job’ is the most valuable part of teacher training. The future of education will not be shaped only by textbook teaching methods, it is about evolving those methods based on experience and shared expertise.

“The alliance that we have created is about local schools collaborating together and supporting each other to achieve the highest possible educational standards.

“We had some superb competition entries, which are very creative and imaginative. A big congratulations to all of our winners.”

Budding teachers can apply to St Polycarp’s for a one year School Direct programme, where they will be trained in at least two different schools in the alliance.

Successful students will graduate with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE).