Well-Being
At Mid Essex ITT, we believe that trainee well-being is one of the most essential aspects of the training year, and this is why we continue to make this our highest priority.
We believe that it is important to support our trainees in any way that we can in order to make them resilient, empathetic and robust individuals. We employ a range of strategies that we believe allow our trainees to focus on the demands of the training and academic rigour. You can read about these in detail by downloading our Well-being Booklet.
We also undertake regular training where possible. In late 2023 and early 2024 members of the leadership team underwent training in understanding the Menopause run by the National College, and also in Mental Health First Aid, by taking a course accredited by Mental Health First Aid England.
We have listed some useful well-being links and resources for you here:
www.mind.org.uk
www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk
www.nhs.uk/mental-health
Did you know that you can get free access to Headspace?
Headspace can be used as a tool to help you to practise mindfulness, meditation, or you can listen to one of their recordings designed to help you sleep, focus on work or exercise. You will just need a photo of your school ID badge (or similar) to prove you are an ‘educator’: www.headspace.com
Action for Happiness
Click on the link below to release a “Happiness calendar” each month which you might like for yourselves or to use at tutor time.
https://www.actionforhappiness.org/calendars
Essex Wellbeing Service
The Essex Wellbeing Service provides practical, emotional, health and wellbeing advice, support and signposting – supporting families to adapt to the 'new normal'. Please do make use of this service.
NASBTT Wellbeing Links:
https://www.nasbtt.org.uk/temz/wellbeing/
Here's what some of our trainees have to say about how they felt supported during their training:
The Education Hub
Mental health resources for children, students, parents, carers and school/college staff:
https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/
Trainee Teacher 2022-2023
"Any time I have had a wellbeing concern I have felt like I can approach my course tutor."
Trainee Teacher 2022-2023
"MEITT are always there to support us. That may be through well-being drop ins before every training session or face to face conversations. I am really grateful for this."
Trainee Teacher 2022-2023
"Excellent support from the MEITT team including course tutors, other trainees, etc."
Trainee Teacher 2022-2023
"MEITT has always been very helpful in supporting the well-being by organising well-being drop ins with our course tutor every Thursday before the training. It really helped me when I had an issue."
Trainee Teacher 2021-2022
"I think that MEITT have been great in supporting my well-being. If a problem has arisen, they are there to give the right support to help you through it and I have been very grateful for that this year."
Trainee Teacher 2021-2022
"Absolutely outstanding, support and encouragement always available. I feel like my well being issues were dealt with in a professional and caring manner. If it wasn’t for the support provided from the Mid Essex , I’m not sure I would have been able to complete the course. They have been superstars!"
Trainee MFL teacher, Moulsham High:
"During my training year MEITT have been incredibly supportive and put the well-being of its students first, particularly during such a turbulent year. They were always very approachable and made you feel comfortable going to them with any issues or questions. They listened to the needs of the cohort and ensured that the programme evolved with the ongoing pandemic and its implications so that the trainees always felt supported, mentally and emotionally."
Trainee English teacher, Notley High School:
"Mid Essex has been nothing but kind and supportive during my time here. Teacher training was challenging at times for me and Mid Essex had so many options in place to support me. The support changed my life and I cannot thank them enough for it."
Trainee Media Studies teacher, Notley High School & Braintree Sixth Form:
"MEITT have consistently supported my well-being during this training year. As a single mother of three children, MEITT have always offered an open-door policy to advise and discuss any potential issues. They have considered my needs as an individual and adapted things to help to support my well-being.
"MEITT have also offered a referral to external advice and support for me during an extremely difficult training year through this pandemic. I am grateful for all the support and guidance I have received."