A NEW group of trainee teachers has been welcomed through the doors of South Craven School.

South Craven has Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Hub School status. It was chosen two years ago by the Red Kite Teaching Alliance to train new teachers, and is again taking a lead in this nationally recognised programme.

The latest group of 11 trainees will spend one day a week in the school under the expert guidance of ITT lead teacher Caroline Haley.

Three of the newly qualified teachers at South Craven have previously come through this same process.

English teachers Sophie Laycock and Rose Simonson completed their second placement at the school last year, joining a large number of teachers in the school who have followed this pathway.

Dr Keith Bothamley, deputy director of the Red Kite Alliance School Centred Initial Teacher Training, said: “We're delighted South Craven is taking such a lead role in training outstanding teachers of the future.

"The school is at the heart of high quality teacher training.”

John Lovell, who leads continuing professional development at the school, added: “At South Craven we have a passion for the craft of teaching and developing the teachers of tomorrow.

"We're proud to be part of a process that will ultimately ensure young people in the area continue to be taught by the very best teachers.”

South Craven is running a recruitment event on October 16 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Anybody interested in this or in training to become a teacher should e-mail either j.lovell@southcraven.org or k.higson@southcraven.org They can also visit the school's website, or redkitealliance.co.uk for details.