“I’d say if you want to become a teacher in a place that genuinely cares and wants the best for you, choose Stour Vale Regional Training Hub.”
Primary ITT Graduate, 2024-2025
“The Stour Vale Team are supportive, approachable and emphasise the importance of wellbeing. Placements were well-organised and well-matched to my needs.”
Primary ITT Graduate, 2024-2025
“Being taught by experts in the field and visiting teachers delivering practical sessions meant training was interactive and high-quality.”
Secondary ITT Graduate, 2024-2025
“The main strength of this course is the warm, caring training environment...the team genuinely care about your concerns and do everything they can to support you.”
Primary ITT Graduate, 2024-2025
“The Stour Vale route offered a local option with a smaller cohort compared to a large lecture theatre. Discussions were more engaging, personalised and I always felt I had the opportunity to ask questions and share my views.”
Primary ITT Graduate, 2024-2025
“The Stour Vale Team care deeply about their trainees...they helped to bring out the best teacher I could be.”
Secondary ITT Graduate, 2023-2024
“The Training Hub offered a safe space to share experiences, ask questions and have chance to practice and discuss ideas before standing in front of a class.”
Secondary ITT Graduate, 2024-2025
“Stour Vale is a supportive and inspiring training hub for future teachers. You make personal and professional connections for life.
Secondary ITT Graduate, 2024-2025”
“Being part of Stour Vale Training Hub made my overall experience better – the support network created and connections to local schools are second to none.”
Secondary ITT Graduate, 2024-2025
"Completing my teacher training with Stour Vale has provided a local training base situated right on my doorstep within the Black Country. They create relatable and accessible experiences by having placement schools that are close to home. The Stour Vale team offer a warm and personable approach with their support and training sessions which fill you with confidence and reassurance. Your developing teacher identity is championed in a professional and ‘family like’ environment that is filled with well-planned coaching and guidance. Training with Stour Vale has been the highlight of my PGCE, where I have received exceptional levels of support and created friends for life! I cannot recommend Stour Vale enough!"
Primary ITT Graduate 2023-24
"The course surpassed my expectations and I have no regrets about choosing the School Direct route through Stour Vale; it has fully prepared me to begin teaching and made me confident in my ability to do so. The School Direct route has offered extensive support both within the school and at university and has allowed me to experience every aspect of school life."
History ITT Graduate 2020-21
"The course has suited me really well as it has balanced what I was looking for: accessible school placements so I could balance my childcare requirements whilst still having high-quality training from a range of university and school experts. I would thoroughly recommend Stour Vale as their support has been excellent."
Primary ITT Graduate 2022-23
"I chose this course as I wanted to be part of a supportive network whilst training. That’s exactly what I have had with Stour Vale. My placement schools have also been close to home."
PE ITT Graduate 2022-23
"Stour Vale provide a teacher training course that is perfect for those who want to stay local and be part of a supportive community. Tom and Andy are so supportive; from issues with transportation to placements, to planning a lesson for an interview, they have your back! The course has allowed me to realise my own potential as a teacher and develop my practice with consistent levels of support. I have really enjoyed the training and wish I had applied sooner!"
Primary ITT Graduate 2022-23
"I already knew of the wonderful reputation of Stour Vale when I had first started looking into courses. I preferred the personal and warm approach that the staff at Stour Vale took; it felt like they would care for my individual progress as a teacher. I had also asked a number of newer teachers of their training experiences in the local area, and Stour Vale were recommended and held in high regard by all former Stour Vale trainees I spoke to. It was also great that they are local and have links with local schools."
Primary ITT Graduate 2020-21
"As an ex-pupil, my expectations of the teaching school were very high. Most significant to development, and what I feel makes this teaching school outstanding, is the level of support offered to trainees. Whether this be the constant care and attention of a mentor, or just a quick tip off the head."
English ITT Graduate 2020-21
"When I first started training to be a teacher, I was apprehensive about the huge responsibility of teaching students effectively whilst also learning on the job. What makes the teaching school at Stour Vale so special is the invaluable support it offered me throughout the whole year. Subject mentors commit to offering quality feedback after every lesson, advice on how to progress further whilst gradually giving you more time to teach independently in readiness for your first teaching role. Meanwhile, meaningful training sessions prepared me for all aspects of school life and a time to share and reflect with other trainees. Above all, I am most grateful for the freedom I was given to try all manner of techniques in the classroom that allowed me to find and develop my own teaching style."
English ITT Graduate 2019-20
"After meeting Stour Vale mentors in person at Get into Teaching events, I found that what was on offer really suited me and felt wanted in the conversations. I like the schools within the Stour Vale partnership and the layout of the programme. It all seemed to suit me perfectly for what I was looking for. I really enjoyed all aspects of my training so my initial choice was the correct one!"
Maths ITT Graduate 2019-20