Training School

Dixons City Academy regards teacher training as a key strategy to raising achievement and school improvement. The Academy has been involved in partnership with local HEIs since it opened as Dixons CTC in 1990.

Dixons City Academy was granted Training School status in 2003. We have built on long standing and productive collaboration with a host of local HEI to provide training placements for up to sixty PGCE trainees each year. We have close links with the University of Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan University, Trinity and All Saints College, Bradford College, Sheffield Hallam University, Manchester Metropolitan University and The Open University. Our long established ITT programme is of the highest quality. All subject departments are involved, many taking several trainees at any one time. This means the majority of teaching staff are trained mentors and take pride in offering support to our trainees. The Training School provides comprehensive induction sessions and practical interactive and weekly training sessions.

The Training School has pioneered innovative partnerships with both Bradford College and Sheffield Hallam University. Bradford College's PGCE in ICT was developed in collaboration with the Training School. The pedagogical content and the managing of the placements and the trainees' experience is managed almost entirely by the Training School. A similar franchise has been developed for Sheffield Hallam University with the Training School responsible for the development of all their D&T trainees specialising in textiles.

We have also worked as a key partner for Bradford College in their provision for employment based routes into teaching. We are at the forefront of innovative research with the Teacher Development Agency into a range of areas connected to initial teacher training. We provide an excellent personalised programme for the induction of Newly Qualified Teachers many of whom are recruited from our own trainees.

The continuing professional development of all staff is of prime importance. We embrace the philosophy of life long learning. The Training School manages the professional development of all employees in the Academy and also contributes to the professional development of staff in a range of partner schools.

Training School Staff Members