Step Into Teaching®

"Historically at Ormiston Forge Academy we have recruited staff from various routes into teaching. After receiving an initial email from Neil Poole at Step into Teaching, we were keen to set up a meeting to find out more about the graduate programme, and venture into a new route of recruiting teachers. From the start, Neil and his team were extremely approachable and flexible in their approach allowing us to benefit from the services offered by the organisation. We are now 6 months on from the initial meeting and have already worked with various high-quality graduates; recently employing an excellent scientist full time who will be placed immediately onto our Assessment Only programme. We look forward to working with Neil and the team again in the near future."

'At Ormiston Forge Academy we have always been creative with recruitment of teaching staff, it can be difficult getting teachers and even more challenging recruiting good ones. We have always engaged with universities and worked with our sixth formers to create our own teachers, but Step into Teaching has unlocked another, quality route to recruiting trainees.

We hire graduates via 'Step into Teaching', who we place as Teaching Assistants/Support Staff on fixed term contracts. These graduates are really well selected for aptitude and ambition - the best ones are then filtered through a Teacher Training Programme. This programme has already yielded a number of vibrant young teachers'.

Step into Teaching has enabled those interested in pursuing a career in the classroom an opportunity for first hand experience. I was fortunate enough to work with Neil to secure an Academic Core coach to help with our Year 7 students who required bespoke wave 3 intervention. This has exposed the candidate to a plethora of experience and opportunity. They have worked closely with staff, formed strong relationships with students and have understood the need of impact data and measuring progress.  The position has offered them the direction needed should they wish to pursue a PGCE/School Direct. I would highly recommend Step into Teaching and look forward to working with Neil and his team very soon!

As a PGCE post compulsory graduate, I was looking for a new route moving from Further Education into Secondary Education. All I can say is that I am glad that I took the leap and decided to join with Step into Teaching. Since the beginning of my journey I have been working with Neil who has provided the most honest and professional experience. Neil arranged for a school viewing and has acted as the go-to person between myself and the school to ensure that I had the best, stress-free experience whilst looking for my "forever school". A decision that will not be regretted.

"Step into Teaching is an excellent programme.  Unlike competitors it is bespoke and built around the needs of the school.  Step into Teaching are, in our experience, highly discerning in the quality of graduates they find and their suitability for teaching, they have really helped our long term pipeline recruitment in key subjects"

Working with Neil on the Step Into Teaching Programme has really been a collaborative affair. Working with high quality potential Graduate coaches, which Neil has introduced us to has enabled us to talent spot potential teachers. Neil has listened carefully to our needs and understood our Trust well, and as a result, we have been able to identify several Graduates Coaches, who have been employed by our Trust. In their roles as intervention experts, they have been able to have a positive impact, adding capacity to the existing teaching, and working in a bespoke way with our students. This has also helped them to get more experience of the teaching profession, confirming to them how satisfying the career is, and enabling several Graduate Coaches to go on to successfully make applications to train to teach.

I applied for a teaching assistant role through Step into Teaching, after graduating from university and I was amazed by Neil's quick response. He proceeded by providing me with more information with regards to the job and invited me for a meeting. The process was very informative and in a relaxed environment. Neil himself was wonderful which put me at ease. After I had submitted all the required documents, an interview was arranged with the school's principal and following this, I was offered the job with immediate start.

Step into Teaching has been the best experience I've had with any agency in terms of quick service, communication, efficiency and tailoring to the applicants' needs. The overall service was simply impeccable and a highlight has been how much I was always being considered and treated with respect. I highly recommend Step into Teaching to anyone envisaging a teaching career.

My experience with Step into Teaching has been nothing short of enjoyable. From brilliant managerial skills, to endless support, my time has set me up accordingly to delve into the world of teaching, armed with vital experience and timeless knowledge. 

After moving from Cardiff to Birmingham with my ideal job with Step Into Teaching, the whole team have been wholeheartedly supportive and reassuring with my progression and helped me go from strength to strength in my teaching career after helping me secure a permanent role at my current school. If you could choose to be with any graduate ITT program, why not be with the best?

"Step Into Teaching is an innovative initiative; focusing on enticing high quality graduates into the teaching profession. We have secured several graduates to date across our schools and have been delighted with their professionalism and drive. Individuals have contributed towards particular areas of school improvement; providing skills, knowledge and capacity. Working in our schools prior to their initial teacher training at South Birmingham SCITT provides us with opportunities to secure recruitment and retention into the profession."