Celebrating 10 Years of Inspiring Leaders Teacher Training

This year, Inspiring Leaders Teacher Training is proud to celebrate a decade of empowering educators and transforming schools.

From our humble beginnings to becoming a key part of the teacher training ecosystem, we are thrilled to reflect on our journey and share the milestones that have brought us here.

Where it all began

Our story began in 2014 with a shared vision: to nurture and develop outstanding teachers who would inspire the next generation. Before we became Inspiring Leaders Teacher Training, we started out as Affinity Teaching School Alliance and Candleby Lane Teaching School Alliance, delivering teacher training through the School Direct route. Recognising the need for greater control over the school-led system and the opportunity to innovate, we transitioned to a SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) provider. This shift enabled our leaders to shape a training programme deeply rooted in the needs of schools and trainees alike.

In 2017, we received our first Ofsted rating as Outstanding, a significant milestone that affirmed the quality of our approach. At that time, we were solely focused on primary teacher training. By 2019/20, we had expanded to include secondary training, with our first secondary cohort beginning at Redhill Academy Trust. In 2023, we were proud to achieve another Outstanding rating from Ofsted, reflecting our continued commitment to excellence.

Growing together with our partners

Over the past ten years, we’ve grown significantly, expanding our reach and deepening our partnerships. Today, we are proud to collaborate with 7 trusts and a network of more than 150 schools. Together, we have trained over 500 teachers who are now making a difference in classrooms and communities across the country.

We have also worked closely with leading universities in the region, including Nottingham Trent University, the University of Leicester, and now the University of Derby, to offer the PGCE element of our programme. These collaborations have enhanced the academic rigour of our training and provided additional opportunities for our trainees.

Adapting and evolving

Education is ever-changing, and so are the needs of our aspiring teachers. Over the years, we have evolved to meet these demands, offering flexible pathways that make teacher training more accessible. One of our most significant developments has been the introduction of part-time training options. These pathways allow trainees to balance their studies with other commitments, making a career in teaching achievable for a wider range of individuals.

We also introduced the Assessment Only route, enabling unqualified teachers to become fully qualified through an assessment process. This pathway has opened new opportunities for experienced professionals to formalise their teaching expertise.

In addition, we have broadened our offerings for primary training, introducing specialisms such as pathways in Early Years, Maths, PE, and SEND. Over time, we evolved to provide secondary training as well, ensuring that our programme addresses diverse educational needs.

Another key development has been the creation of our IL6 characteristics: Knowledgeable, Professional, Creative, Emotionally Intelligent, Reflective, and Resilient. These attributes underpin our training philosophy and define the qualities we seek to instil in every trainee.

Looking ahead

As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are filled with gratitude for the schools, trusts, trainees, and mentors who have supported us along the way. Together, we have built something extraordinary—a community committed to excellence in education.

The next decade holds even more promise. We remain dedicated to expanding our reach, diversifying our offerings, and maintaining our commitment to developing exceptional educators who will inspire generations to come.