FIRST TEACHERS IN THE COUNTRY ACHIEVE CHARTERED TEACHER STATUS
Today (20 July) saw the first teachers in the country to be awarded Chartered Teacher status at a graduation ceremony at the City of London School for Girls. The 98 teachers are the first to achieve the national standard recognising excellent teaching from the Chartered College of Teaching.
The first cohort of Chartered Teachers undertook a 14-month rigorous programme of learning and assessments to showcase their knowledge and expertise. The status, which bestows the post-nominals ‘CTeach’, demonstrates an individual’s excellent knowledge and practice as a teacher along with a commitment to professional growth, collaboration and development. The new Chartered Teachers work across all school phases with on average 10 years of teaching experience.
Joining the teachers in achieving Chartered Teacher status are 52 Further Education (FE) teachers and trainers from the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), who are conferred with CTeach by achieving Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) through the Society for Education and Training (SET). These are based in a variety of settings including those within FE colleges, sixth form colleges, independent training providers, adult community education, prisons and employers, such as the police.
Professor Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive of the Chartered College of Teaching said:
Our first Chartered Teachers are pioneers for a new trailblazing opportunity for generations of teachers. Design and accreditation of our CTeach programme has been a major part of our collective endeavour to rebuild the professional status of teaching. These teachers take with them into their school confidence born out of rigorous study and a commitment to share this knowledge in the spirit of collaboration.
Congratulations to all that have achieved this prestigious qualification, your success will help to make an alternative high-status future a reality for other teaching professionals.
David Russell, Chief Executive of the Education and Training Foundation, said:
On behalf of everyone at the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), I would like to congratulate all of those graduating today. To become a chartered teacher is an immense accomplishment and proves that they are amongst the very best in the profession.
Today should be seen as a very proud and confident moment for the whole Further Education and Training sector. With over 50 teachers and trainers from all parts of the sector becoming Chartered Teachers through gaining Advanced Teacher Status, it shows the high levels of mastery, dedication and professionalism of so many. By improving the quality of lives of their learners, institutions and communities, the impact they have should rightly be recognised in this way.
I would also like to thank the Chartered College of Teaching who we work closely in partnership with. We are both committed to supporting high-quality education and supporting teachers and trainers to be the very best they can be.
Some of the first teachers to achieve Chartered Teachers commented on their graduation.
Sandra Clinton, Head of Chemistry and Physics, said:
I am delighted and proud to be awarded Chartered Teacher status. The course has been challenging but very rewarding. Without a doubt, I am a better teacher for completing it. Raising the status of teaching as a profession and recognising the considerable expertise required to teach is vital. I look forward to supporting others in working towards Chartered Teacher status in the future.
Jess Mahdavi, Primary teacher, said:
Being part of the first cohort of Chartered Teachers is positive in so many ways. The journey has been professionally challenging and rigorous and being awarded CTeach makes me feel incredibly proud, as well as grateful to have this opportunity for recognition. All teachers should aspire to this unique pathway which improves and celebrate practise in a personalised and tailored way.
Claire Wilkin, Vice Principal, said:
Since embarking on the Chartered Teacher Programme, I have seen the impact in my classroom through more research informed decisions regarding which is having a positive effect on the outcome of the pupils I teach. I feel empowered with a new found sense of pride and confidence. My relationship with research has changed significantly: from lost in the sea of research and evidence, to navigating my own course, conducting my own research-based improvement project and becoming an informed and engaged research champion and advocate on a mission to empower others. I feel an enormous sense of pride in successfully completing the programme and being part of the Pilot cohort!
During the ceremony, graduates heard from Professor Dame Alison Peacock, Sir Tim Brighouse and Professor Sam Twiselton, Vice President of the Chartered College of Teaching. Applications for next year’s cohort of the Chartered Teacher Programme are now open. Visit chartered.college/chartered-teacher to find out more and apply.
Applications are also open for the next ATS cohort beginning October. Visit set.etfoundation.co.uk for more information and to apply.