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.

Trainees benefit from focused, central and school-based training. They work in our academies and partner schools across our 4 geographical areas for the duration of the programme:

• Greater Manchester
• West Yorkshire
• Merseyside
• Staffordshire & Stoke

See all of our academies

Our Primary Courses

Our Secondary Courses

See all of our courses

Our ITT Curriculum 

Our ITT curriculum is designed to develop motivated, collaborative and learner-centred teachers who contribute effectively to schools and the teaching profession. We are committed to providing a rich, responsive and well-sequenced curriculum for our trainee teachers which will allow them to fully meet the Teachers’ Standards at the end of the programme.

Our curriculum is organised into three distinct phases: Introductory Phase, Developmental Phase and Consolidation Phase. Each phase is clearly defined in terms of learning expectations and this phased approach allows content to be explored in increasing depth over the training year. By using a phased/progressive curriculum, we set clear expectations for trainee progress.

We have carefully planned our curriculum to reflect trainees’ learning needs at every stage of the programme.  As the year progresses, trainees will revisit the 5 Learning Themes in increasing depth, building confidence and competence in all 5 areas.

Continuous Learning Themes
 - Thinking Professional
 - Developing Partnerships

Our 2 Continuous Learning Themes will be a continual focus for learning across the year as trainee understanding of the role and partnerships evolves in changing contexts.

Focus Learning Themes
 - Building a Learning Culture
 - Planning for Learning
 - Purposeful Assessment

Learn, Explore, Apply Approach

We use a Learn, Explore & Apply approach to help trainees to make strong connections between Centre-based and School-based learning. Trainees are encouraged to:

• Consider what they have learned, explore it more fully and apply it in the classroom.
• Engage with training sessions that guide trainees to plan for further exploration and application in the classroom.
• Follow the Learn, Explore & Apply approach when reflecting on their learning each week

Mentors are asked to shape discussion and teaching and learning opportunities using the Learn, Explore & Apply approach. This ensures that trainees are reflecting on learning, exploring it more fully in their school placement and taking opportunities to apply what they have learnt in their teaching.

Trainee teachers, tutors, mentors and trainers all have a part to play in making connections between Centre-based and School-based learning. We help schools to do this by sharing our Curriculum Plans and we ask trainee teachers to lead the conversation on this by sharing what they have learnt with schools. 

Professional studies programme 

Our year-long programme ensures all Trainee Teachers gain a knowledge and understanding of the Teaching Standards, with the opportunity to then put their learning into practice. Sessions are tailored to the stage of your training year you are currently at and adapted to individual needs including:

Intensive Training & Practice (ITaP)

Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP) is an opportunity for trainees to take their learning further with an intensive focus on a specific, granular area of pedagogy. The four areas we have identified as beneficial to our trainees’ learning and development are:

• Setting high expectations & establishing a strong start to lessons & during transitions.
• Developing teacher clarity through explicit instruction.
• Design purposeful scaffolding leading to developing independence.
• Questioning and deepening thinking.

Further Offer

A Google Chromebook
A new Google Chromebook will be given to every trainee teacher to support their training year. This is theirs to use and keep.

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In School Training
Courses which start in school from your very first day.

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Expert Guidance
Mentors and SLEs from across the Trust are always on hand throughout the year.

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Safeguarding
ITT specific safeguarding training for all with routine follow-up sessions.

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Online SK Platform
Free access to our online learning platform which will tailor learning around your needs prior to you starting.

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QTS and a PGCE
Gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), a PGCE, and 60 Masters level credits.

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Subject Pedagogy Development
Dedicated sessions from our Curriculum Directors and SLEs to develop your subject knowledge and style of teaching throughout the year.

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Home School and Alternative settings
All trainees will take advantage of training in a home school whilst also benefiting from a placement in an alternative academic setting.

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Out of phase experience
For Primary, we offer the chance to gain experience in KS3 to best support your students during transition For Secondary, we offer the chance to gain experience in KS2 as well as a KS5 setting at Connell College. All Associate Teachers have the opportunity to gain SEND experience across our Trust.