Make your mark with a career in teaching
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School is the lead school for Astra Teacher Training and is at the forefront of teacher professional development, from initial training and induction to qualifications leading ultimately to school leadership roles.
Training to Teach with Astra
Since being established in 2014, well over 700 trainees have gained Qualified Teacher Status through Astra Teacher Training. Astra works with over 60 primary, secondary and special schools across Buckinghamshire and beyond, including Hertfordshire and Hillingdon.
Astra offers the full range of routes into teaching, both full and part time, and including salaried and unsalaried routes, Assessment Only and postgraduate apprenticeships. Most trainees complete the PGCE qualification through Bath Spa University.
Astra’s training focuses on developing teachers’ professional knowledge, skills and understanding of educational values. Trainees learn how to become reflective practitioners, with new entrants to the profession encouraged to think critically, draw upon the best available research evidence and make informed professional judgements. Astra’s carefully structured programmes have at their heart a commitment to inclusive professionalism, enabling all young people to flourish.
At the same time, training is highly practical and great emphasis is placed on school based learning, with trainees working closely with a mentor who is always a practising teacher. From the start of the course, trainees are in school, working alongside expert colleagues and gradually increasing their weekly teaching, gaining vital experience through taking a full part in the life of their placement schools.
All training is provided in person, with weekly Professional Studies to strengthen new teachers’ classroom expertise and subject knowledge, and there are also online resources to facilitate learning and help track progress.
Trainees are supported by a core team based locally, along with a PGCE tutor and phase and subject experts, almost all of whom are practising teachers, to guide trainee teachers throughout their course.
Astra is able to support you as you apply and make your first steps into this challenging, varied and rewarding career, with regular open evenings and school taster placements available for those considering teaching.
To find out more about teaching training with Astra, click here
Astra Teaching School Hub Buckinghamshire
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School was re-accredited as the Teaching School Hub (TSH) for Buckinghamshire in 2024. Astra TSH is a system leader for a range of key national priorities which support the Golden Thread of teacher career development. These include:
- Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
- Appropriate Body Services (AB)
- Early Career Training Programme (ECTP)
- National Professional Qualifications (NPQ)
Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
Astra TSH works collaboratively with local ITT providers across Buckinghamshire, including our own SCITT, based here at DCGS.
Appropriate Body Services and Early Career Training Programme
Astra TSH provides Appropriate Body statutory services for the Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE) to support induction of ECTs in schools across Buckinghamshire. Astra also facilitates the Early Career Training Programme for ECTs and Mentors in the region. Further information on Astra’s Appropriate Body services and Early Career Training Programme can be found below.
Early Career Training Programme
National Professional Qualifications (NPQ)
In partnership with Best Practice Network, Astra TSH offers a range of NPQs for schools across Buckinghamshire. These qualifications, designed to support the professional development of teachers and school leaders at all levels, are widely recognised by the education sector.
Specialist NPQs in
- Leading Teaching
- Leading Teacher Development
- Leading Behaviour and Culture
Leadership NPQs in
- Senior Leadership
- Special Educational Needs
- Early Years Leadership
- Headship
- Executive Leadership
Astra Teacher Training website
