Developing the next generation of SEND teachers at Tiffield Academy

Amy Frohawk is Assistant Principal at Tiffield Academy in Northamptonshire, a new purpose-built all-through SEND school, part of the Greenwood Academies Trust. Amy oversees both Early Career Teachers and trainee teachers, playing a key role in supporting staff development across the school. Here she explains why NITE's Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship plus PGCE SEND has become an important part of the school's development of their next generation of SEND specialist teachers.

A flexible approach to teacher development

One of the things I've valued most about the programme is its flexibility. I've worked with a range of teacher training programmes over the years, and some can be very prescriptive about what mentors and trainees need to focus on each week. What I like about NITE's approach is that it allows us to focus on what's most relevant to the trainee at that point in their development. Whether that's classroom practice, wellbeing, workload management or preparing for assessments, we can adapt our mentoring and observations to meet their needs.

That's particularly important in a SEND setting, where there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every trainee is different, just as every pupil is different, and having the flexibility to respond to those needs has been incredibly valuable.

Bridging theory and practice

I've also seen how effectively the programme helps trainees connect educational theory with classroom practice. The Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) activities encourage trainees to engage with evidence-informed approaches and then apply that learning in their classrooms. Sam, one of our trainees, described the course as "really eye-opening", explaining that it helped him understand the theory behind teaching and "how to create the most inclusive and quality-first teaching environment." Seeing trainees develop that deeper understanding of why we teach in particular ways has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the programme.

Why specialist SEND training matters

Specialist SEND training is something I feel strongly about. When I trained, we had a day on SEND. A day! That's why I genuinely believe programmes like this are a game changer. SEND isn't one size fits all, and specialist teachers need specialist training. While SEND education is constantly evolving, having a dedicated pathway gives trainees the opportunity to explore the complexities of specialist teaching in far greater depth than traditional routes have historically allowed.

Watching our trainees grow

I've seen that specialist focus resonate with trainees such as Fatima, who began her career at Tiffield Academy as a Learning Support Assistant before progressing onto the apprenticeship. Fatima told us that working in an all-through SEND school gave her "a real passion for supporting children with autism and additional needs", and that one of the highlights of the programme has been "understanding the theory and then actually relating that theory to practice." For me, that's exactly what effective teacher training should achieve.

It's also been rewarding to watch trainees grow in confidence and professional expertise. Sam's passion for supporting autistic children and young people has always been evident, but the programme has helped him build the knowledge and understanding that underpins excellent classroom practice. Seeing talented colleagues develop into confident teachers is one of the most positive outcomes of the programme.

Why I would recommend the programme

I would definitely recommend the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship SEND programme to schools looking to develop their own teaching workforce. The combination of flexibility, strong mentoring and a specialist SEND focus has enabled us to support talented colleagues like Sam and Fatima as they progress into teaching, while ensuring their training remains closely aligned with the needs of our school and our pupils.

For schools looking to grow and retain staff who already understand their values, pupils and community, the apprenticeship offers a fantastic opportunity to nurture future teachers while building specialist expertise within the organisation.

A special mention for Gaynor

I'd also like to recognise the contribution of our NITE mentor, Gaynor Crute, whose support has been instrumental throughout the programme. Sam and I both feel strongly that she deserves recognition for everything she does. She has brought a wealth of knowledge and life experience to the role and been a pleasure to work. She is such an asset to NITE, and we couldn't recommend her highly enough.