Training at Co-op Academy Portland means joining a warm and inclusive primary school that celebrates a rich mix of cultures, backgrounds and educational needs. Every child and adult is valued, giving trainee teachers the opportunity to develop their practice in a community where inclusion, care and high expectations are part of everyday life.

We believe that great education is built through experiences as well as lessons. Our pupils are given opportunities to explore, discover and learn beyond the classroom, helping to build curiosity, confidence and a lifelong love of learning. As a trainee, you’ll play an active part in creating those experiences while learning how to respond to the individual strengths and needs of every child.

You’ll also join a team shaped by the Co-op Ways of Being: Be Yourself Always, Show You Care, Do What Matters Most and Succeed Together. Expert mentoring, high-quality professional development and a collaborative culture will give you the support to reflect, grow and become the kind of teacher who can make a lasting difference to children and families.

Co-op Academies Trust believes in changing the lives of young people through empowering teachers and young people to work together for a better education and a better community.

The Trust brings together expertise from across Primary, Secondary, Special and Further Education in an aim to promote excellence in all aspects of education.

Our provision is a combination of practical training, both within and outside of the classroom; a proactive and evidence-informed curriculum to build your pedagogical and subject knowledge with a further academic focus provided by university professionals. Our courses offer Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) accredited by Bright Futures SCITT, part of the Bright Futures Teaching School Hub as well as a Masters Level Qualification through the Postgraduate Certificate in Education awarded by The University of Derby (PGCE with 60 Masters Credits).

As a Trainee Teacher with Co-op Academies, you can immerse yourself in school life from day one and join a team of staff committed to delivering the highest quality learning and teaching to children across our Trust. 

If you are keen to learn from a range of professionals currently in a full time role within our placement schools, then our school-led training is the route for you. Your mentors, teachers and Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs) will support you fully, using innovative training to enable you to become a resilient, successful teacher. 

• A curriculum that grows with you, through three phases: Introductory, Developmental and Consolidation

• Weekly Learn, Explore, Apply reflection tasks – linking theory to practice

• Professional studies to boost your confidence in behaviour, planning, assessment, and SEND

• Intensive training weeks focused on things like questioning, clarity and scaffolding

• Experience across mainstream, alternative and SEND settings – plus out-of-phase experience (e.g. primary trainees spend time in secondary)