Our learning never stops

Mr Lipman, Chrysalis SCITT Course Lead, introduces the new recruits to the second year of Claremont High School’s teacher-training course

We are incredibly excited to welcome our new cohort of trainee teachers to Chrysalis SCITT for 2026/27. It is fantastic to see the programme continue to grow, with nine trainees now training across our Trust and beginning their journey into the teaching profession.

Last year, 100% of our trainees successfully achieved Qualified Teacher Status and we are immensely proud of the brilliant teachers they have become. We’re looking forward to working closely with this year’s cohort, supporting and challenging them as they develop into confident, skilled and inspiring teachers who can make a real difference to the lives of young people.

‘What I love about my subject,’ explains Mr Tarling, training in Secondary Physics, ‘is that it rewards curiosity by helping us understand why things are as they are. I think the subject is fascinating in itself, but studying it also trains us to think in ways that have benefits beyond the Physics curriculum.’

‘I love the way Maths can be used to describe the world around us,’ says Mr Bright-Davies, Secondary Mathematics. ‘From interest rates to driving a car, there’s maths everywhere if you look hard enough!’

‘I enjoy the logical and problem-solving side of Maths,’ adds Mr Lee, also Secondary Mathematics, ‘especially how ideas can be broken down step-by-step to help pupils understand something that initially seems difficult.’

‘Geography is an incredibly relevant subject,’ explains Ms Karasan, training in Secondary Geography. ‘We often interact with many different types of geography without actually realising it, as well as building our own personal geographies. From its human to physical elements, it can inform us about the systems and networks that keep society functioning. It also encourages discourse about crucial events that affect us all, such as climate change and increasingly differing weather patterns.’

‘Computer Science is a key subject, which is constantly influencing the world around us,’ says Mr Gadhia, Secondary IT. ‘Regardless of where you go and what you do, our learning never stops.’

And what are the new cohort most looking forward to?

‘Meeting and getting to know the students and staff at Claremont,’ says Mr Tarling. ‘Everyone I've met so far has been incredibly friendly and supportive.’

‘I'm looking forward to having a positive impact on students and helping them achieve things they might have thought weren't possible for them,’ Mr Bright-Davies says.

‘I’m most looking forward to building relationships with pupils and seeing their confidence and understanding in Maths develop,’ says Mr Lee.

‘I hope to foster a welcoming environment for all students, where they feel safe and comfortable,’ says Ms Karasan. ‘An environment that encourages intellectual discussions that go beyond the classroom, providing insight into real-world contexts.’

Ms Humayun, Secondary in Business Studies, also enjoys how her subject can be used in the real world. ‘I’m most looking forward to getting to know my classes, building positive teacher-student relationships and teaching topics that pupils understand and love learning about.’