Professional Development

At St Thomas the Apostle College we understand that our teachers are our most valuable resource and that we must invest in them to help them grow personally and professionally.

No matter what your experience you will be part of a comprehensive training programme that includes:

• A weekly morning training session run by St Thomas the Apostle staff
• Participation in five twilight inset sessions offering training bespoke to your curriculum area
• Access to a part-funded Masters in Education
• Funded placements on the Teaching Leaders development programme run by the Future Leaders Trust
• Opportunities to attend training run by external providers
• Numerous opportunities to deliver training and share expertise with your colleagues within St Thomas the Apostle and across our network of federated schools
• Joining our Beacon Teacher programme
• Joining our Teaching and Learning Team

ECT Programme

We run a structured and highly supportive ECT programme here at St Thomas the Apostle School. Our aim is to help you continue on your path towards being an outstanding practitioner with a 2-year programme of support, induction and training. The London South Teaching School Hub leads ECTs in their training, using the UCL Full Induction programme. ECTs also have support from an assigned mentor, whom they meet regularly for support and guidance.

The ECT programme includes:

• Regular informal (and occasional formal) observations with open dialogue and clear targets
• An assigned subject-specialist ECT Mentor
• Additional support from the ECT Induction Tutor and the Teaching and Learning team
• A reduced timetable (to accommodate the fact that everything takes a little longer when you are starting out!)
• An environment of high expectation and outstanding behaviour which means you can concentrate on the important bits – teaching!
• An 'open door' policy where you are always welcome to pop in and observe other staff to help develop your own practice

"The ECT Programme at STAC has allowed me to grow as a teacher through a thoroughly supportive system and teaching team. My mentor and subject team have expanded my skills, allowing me to gain valuable feedback on my teaching practices."

C Gough, ECT 2023-25

"Being an ECT at STAC has enabled me to develop my teaching skills in a very supportive environment. Focused observations and constructive feedback from my mentor and the teaching and learning team has allowed me to be reflective and embed effective routines and learning strategies in my teaching."

F Dettori, ECT 2024-26