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New doors open for Ripley ITT trainees

We have reached the end of placement for five of our Ripley ITT cohort for this term.

They met up for their last review of the term as a group before they go their separate ways to new placements in January. In conversation with Sue Exton, Mentor for Ripley ITT trainees at Ripley St Thomas, they reflected on their time here:

“This school has helped me so much in my ability and confidence in the classroom”  Jess Black – Maths

Jess will be spending her next placement at Lancaster Girls Grammar School. She is fortunate enough to have secured herself a new teaching post starting in September at Carnforth High School, another school in the Bay Learning Trust.

“Ripley St Thomas has been such a welcoming and supportive school. I will be sad to go”  Thom Dudden – Geography

We will be sad to see you go Thom but good things await! Thom joins Jess at LGGS in January.

Ripley ITT PE trainee Tyler Beck, said “Ripley has been a truly eye-opening experience, which I am sincerely grateful for”, sentiments mirrored by fellow PE trainee (from University of Cumbria) Georgina Moon: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Ripley PE department – everyone has been so supportive and friendly”.

Tyler spends his next placement at Carnforth High School, while Georgina travels to Bishop Rawsthorne Church of England Academy in Croston.

Lastly and by no means least, Science trainee Felicity Hill said “I have learnt so much during my welcoming placement at Ripley, it goes a long, long way to giving me confidence at my next placement at Lancaster Royal Grammar School.”

When one door closes, another opens and our next group are waiting in the wings to continue their training. We look forward to introducing you to Kai, Rachel, Sophie, Rob, Ralph and Hussain next month.

If you are interested in finding out more about Ripley ITT teacher training routes, simply go to https://www.ripleyitt.co.uk/our-programmes/

For 2025-26, bursaries are offered to trainees intending to train to teach in the subjects listed below:

  • £29000 in chemistry, computing, mathematics and physics
  • £26000 in biology, design and technology, geography and languages (inc. ancient languages)
  • £10000 in art and design, music and religious education
  • £5000 in English

Applicants may be eligible for a bursary if they have a 1st, 2.1 or 2.2, or if they hold Master’s or PhD. For further information on bursaries visit GOV.UK website