Testimonials

Hayley Ryan - Science trainee 2024-2025

Thank you so much for all of your help and support over the last year. You have all been fantastic. I am so pleased I chose you as a provider. Your support, guidance, knowledge compassion and understanding has been invaluable.

Aiysha Haque - Science trainee, 2024-2025

One of my happiest memories from the course was the teach-meet sessions. It was really interesting to watch other trainees present some were naturally funny and charismatic, while others were clearly nervous. That really resonated with me, as it helped me realise I wasn’t alone in feeling anxious about presenting to my peers. By the time it was my turn to present, I had built strong relationships with the other trainees, so it felt like a genuinely safe and supportive environment. Having training on Thursdays also really helped to break up the week, and it was great to be able to catch up with others in the same position, share experiences, and offload together.

When I was training, there was a strong focus on evidence-based practice, with a lot of emphasis on concepts like cognitive load, chunking, and retrieval/recall. We spent time looking at how breaking learning into manageable chunks and regularly revisiting key knowledge could support long-term memory and understanding. It was particularly encouraging to see these ideas being put into practice at Beaulieu, a relatively new school with high expectations of its students. Seeing strategies we discussed in training actively used in classrooms helped reinforce their value and made the theory feel purposeful and relevant.

One of the biggest takeaways from my time with Mid Essex ITT was meeting the Mid Essex team, who were incredibly supportive and kind. My wellbeing was always at the forefront of conversations, and I felt genuinely cared for throughout my training, especially during a period of bereavement. Their compassion and understanding made a huge difference and is something I will always be grateful for. Without the support I received, I don't think I would have been able to complete the training. There are several people from my teacher training who I would really like to thank. Holly was incredibly supportive during a period of bereavement, and her kindness and understanding made a significant difference to me.

Sophie also stands out, before even being asked Sophie offered to help lighten the workload for me and the other Muslim trainees during Ramadan while we were fasting. What has stayed with me most was that both Holly and Sophie approached us first. They clearly considered our culture, backgrounds, and needs, and that meant a great deal. I would likely have just carried on quietly and become overwhelmed, but their thoughtfulness made me feel genuinely cared for and supported. I would also love to thank Jules for the lovely postcards celebrating achievements and the chocolate she sent in the post. They were always such a thoughtful surprise and really brightened my day.

 Bernadette Soris - Computer Science trainee, 2024-2025

Bernadette applied to Mid Essex ITT in the Summer of 2024 and was living in Scotland at the time. She travelled to Braintree for an interview with Mid Essex and also a school that was interested in hosting a salaried Computer Science trainee

I was living in Scotland when I applied to Mid Essex ITT. Mid Essex ITT recognised my local and overseas experience and welcomed me on to the teacher training programme, showing their commitment to fair and inclusive recruitment. From my induction onwards, I always felt supported. The Director’s kindness and approachability gave me the confidence to relocate to England for my training, and throughout the programme, staff guided me with empathy and fairness as I adapted to a new education system. Mid Essex ITT truly values all trainees, and I would highly recommend it to anyone from a Global Majority Heritage background.