“Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.” – Carl Sagan

Biology provides the foundation for understanding living systems - exploring how organisms grow, adapt, and interact within their environments. Through subject-specific training sessions, you will develop secure knowledge of how to teach key biological concepts - such as cells, genetics, evolution, and ecology - while refining the practical and analytical skills essential to high-quality science teaching. You will also explore how to spark curiosity about the living world, enabling pupils to see biology as a dynamic and evolving science that helps us make sense of life itself. Your Subject Lead will support you to make connections between the best available research on quality teaching with classroom practice, helping you to apply and clarify the most effective pedagogical approaches to your subject. Our secondary biology trainees receive specialist subject training within their placement schools, supported by a dedicated and highly experienced subject mentor. Explicit links are made across teaching phases from KS3 to KS5, also considering KS2 and transition, ensuring the content goes beyond the KS3 and KS4 National Curriculum to promote a deep understanding of biological principles and scientific enquiry. Biology trainees will join our cohorts from chemistry and physics throughout the year. This collaborative approach reflects the interconnected nature of teaching science and ensures that you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to teach across the full science curriculum.

Meet the Science Subject Lead, Andrew Williams

To quote Albert Einstein, arguably the greatest scientist of all time, "Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think”. What a prescient thought to bear in mind as you embark on the exciting journey to attain Qualified Teacher Status! My name is Andrew Williams and I will have the pleasure of being your Science Subject Lead, with responsibility for ensuring that you receive the best possible subject-related input during what I know will be a most stimulating and rewarding year. Towards this end, our sessions are designed to be as practical and supportive as possible, providing you with ample opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills you will need to become expert teachers who are fully equipped to inspire the next generation of young scientists. With respect to my own background, as a successful Science and Maths teacher with 35 years’ experience, I have taught Science and Mathematics to A-level as well as taking on a variety of other roles within schools, including Head of Department, Lead Teacher and ITT Coordinator, alongside a range of senior leadership positions. From a wider perspective, I have also acted as a GCSE examination team leader and Science Teacher Leader for the STEM National Science Learning Network. However, as an ecologist, I would say that my natural habitat is definitely in the classroom, and I have always found teaching young people to be the most rewarding aspect of my career in education. In addition, as a passionate scientist, I firmly believe that the subject lies at the heart of the curriculum. Not only is science a fascinating subject in its own right, awakening our sense of wonder by deepening our understanding and appreciation of the amazing world we live in, it also provides a means of developing essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Science also drives the technological advancements that form the bedrock of human progress and, to end with another quote, this time by renowned physicist Edward Teller, “The science of today is the technology of tomorrow”.

“Everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer… because it teaches you how to think.” - Steve Jobs

Computing empowers learners to understand and shape the digital world that surrounds them. It combines creativity, logic, and problem-solving to help pupils make sense of how technology works and how it can be used to design solutions, communicate ideas, and drive innovation. Through exploring programming, systems, and digital literacy, pupils develop the confidence and curiosity to become active creators, not just consumers of technology in an ever-changing world. Through subject-specific training sessions, trainees will develop secure knowledge of key computing concepts such as algorithms, programming, data representation, and computational thinking, while refining the pedagogical skills essential to high-quality computing teaching. You will also explore how to inspire curiosity and creativity in learners, helping them to apply computing knowledge in authentic contexts and to understand its ethical, cultural, and societal impact. You will train within a dedicated Computing cohort throughout the year. This focused approach ensures that you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to teach across the full computing curriculum. All secondary Computing trainees receive specialist subject training within their placement schools, supported by a dedicated and highly experienced subject mentor. Explicit links are made across teaching phases from KS2 to KS5, ensuring the content goes beyond the KS3 and KS4 National Curriculum to promote a deep understanding of computational thinking, digital fluency, and learner progression across all key stages.

Meet the Computing Subject Lead, Sandra Armstrong

My name is Sandy Armstrong, and I have the pleasure of being your Subject Lead for Computing this year. Before becoming a teacher, I began my career in the metals industry, working with automation systems which was an experience that sparked my interest in how technology shapes the world around us. I’ve spent the past 16 years in education, initially teaching Information Technology and then Computer Science since it was introduced into the national curriculum in 2014. Over this time, I’ve also had the privilege of leading a department, developing both curriculum and teaching practice to help pupils and teachers thrive in computing. I’m passionate about supporting new teachers as they grow in confidence and skill, and about showing how Computer Science can inspire curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving in every learner. I’m excited to be supporting you as you begin what promises to be a challenging, dynamic, and deeply rewarding year. As you step into the classroom as a future Computing teacher, you’ll not only be introducing pupils to the technical foundations of our digital world but also guiding them to think critically, act ethically, and solve problems creatively.

“Geography is not just about memorising places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures, and using that knowledge to bridge divides.” - Barack Obama

Geography as a dynamic and evolving subject helps learners make sense of the world around them through exploring the relationships between people, places, and environments, and how human and physical processes shape our planet. It provides the foundation for understanding global interdependence, environmental change, and spatial awareness whilst unlocking learners’ ability to think critically about the challenges and opportunities facing our world today. Through subject-specific training sessions, trainees will develop secure knowledge of key geographical concepts such as place, space, scale, and sustainability, while refining the pedagogical skills essential to high-quality geography teaching. You will also explore how to inspire curiosity and wonder about the world, enabling pupils to investigate geographical questions, interpret data, and develop a sense of responsibility for the environment and global citizenship. You will train within a dedicated Geography cohort throughout the year. This focused approach ensures that you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to teach across the full geography curriculum. All secondary Geography trainees receive specialist subject training within their placement schools, supported by a dedicated and highly experienced subject mentor. Explicit links are made across teaching phases from KS2 to KS5, ensuring the content goes beyond the KS3 and KS4 National Curriculum to promote a deep understanding of geographical enquiry, disciplinary thinking, and learner progression across all key stages.

Meet the Geography Subject Lead, Katy Conlon

My name is Katy Conlon and I have the amazing role of being your Subject Lead for Geography. It is an absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to work with fellow geographers as enthusiastic and dedicated as myself to the subject and to educating young people. I have worked in secondary schools in Yorkshire for 16 years in a range of roles including Head of Department. I am a human geography specialist, and my passion is the development of countries and the lives of the people who live in them. I feel that Geography is a subject of the past, the present and the future and we are preparing our students to be global citizens as well as developing critical thinking, creativity and independence. Throughout the year, our subject sessions will give you the opportunity to ask questions, learn strategies and study the evidence that underpins good teaching and learning and good geographical knowledge. We will explore physical and human concepts and processes alongside geographical skills and knowledge to deepen your subject knowledge along with the pedagogy required to become confident and reflective classroom practitioners.

“The more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.” - Theodore Roosevelt

History as a dynamic and evolving subject helps learners make sense of people, places, and events through exploring how the past has shaped societies, cultures, and ideas, and how interpretations of history influence the world we live in today. It provides the foundation for understanding change, continuity, and causation, unlocking learners’ ability to think critically, evaluate evidence, and construct informed arguments about the human story. Through subject-specific training sessions, trainees will develop secure knowledge of key historical concepts such as chronology, significance, evidence, and interpretation, while refining the pedagogical skills essential to high-quality history teaching. You will also explore how to inspire curiosity about the past and foster pupils’ ability to question, debate, and reflect on historical issues, helping them to see history as an active, investigative discipline that deepens understanding of the present. You will train within a dedicated History cohort throughout the year. This focused approach ensures that you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to teach across the full history curriculum. All secondary History trainees receive specialist subject training within their placement schools, supported by a dedicated and highly experienced subject mentor. Explicit links are made across teaching phases from KS2 to KS5, ensuring the content goes beyond the KS3 and KS4 National Curriculum to promote a deep understanding of historical enquiry, disciplinary thinking, and learner progression across all key stages.

Meet the History Subject Lead, Dominic Carlin

My name is Dominic Carlin, and I have the pleasure of being your History Subject Lead. I’ve spent my entire career teaching in Doncaster and have served as both Head of Department and Head of Faculty for over a decade. I’m passionate about the discipline of History and about sharing that passion with pupils. I have a particular interest in teaching local history to help pupils develop a strong sense of identity and belonging. Supporting new teachers as they take their first steps into the profession is something I consider both a privilege and a responsibility and I’m really looking forward to guiding and working alongside you as you embark on what will be a challenging, fulfilling, and deeply enriching year. Together, we’ll explore the breadth and depth of the secondary History curriculum to uncover the stories of the past, the significance of evidence, and the power of diverse historical narratives. Our subject-focused sessions will help you develop both the knowledge and the pedagogical skills needed to inspire students and cultivate their curiosity about the past. We’ll work closely throughout the year as you grow in confidence, refine your subject knowledge, and develop into reflective, knowledgeable, and passionate History teachers. You’ll learn how to bring history to life in the classroom through careful use of primary sources, engagement with secondary interpretations, and a focus on delivering inclusive and thought-provoking lessons that reflect the richness of the past.

“Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics; I can assure you mine are still greater.” - Albert Einstein

Mathematics provides the foundation for understanding the world through logic, pattern, and problem-solving. It equips learners with the skills to think critically, reason systematically, and communicate ideas with precision and creativity. Mathematics empowers pupils to explore connections, discover relationships, and apply their knowledge to real-world contexts through fostering confidence, curiosity, and perseverance in tackling complex challenges. Through subject-specific training sessions, trainees will develop secure knowledge of key mathematical concepts such as number, algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability, while refining the pedagogical skills essential to high-quality maths teaching. You will also explore how to inspire curiosity and resilience in learners, helping them to see mathematics not just as a set of procedures, but as a creative and interconnected discipline that underpins science, technology, and the wider world. You will train within a dedicated Mathematics cohort throughout the year. This focused approach ensures that you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to teach across the full mathematics curriculum. All secondary Mathematics trainees receive specialist subject training within their placement schools, supported by a dedicated and highly experienced subject mentor. Explicit links are made across teaching phases from KS2 to KS5, ensuring the content goes beyond the KS3 and KS4 National Curriculum to promote a deep understanding of mathematical reasoning, problem-solving, and learner progression across all key stages. Meet the Mathematics Subject Lead, Richard Whitfield I’m Richard Whitfield, and I’m delighted to be your Subject Lead for Mathematics. With over 20 years’ experience of teaching mathematics at secondary level across the Yorkshire and North East regions, I have had the privilege of guiding and supporting countless trainees and colleagues. During my career, I have taken on a range of leadership roles, including Head of Mathematics for a large secondary school before progressing to senior leadership positions, with a particular focus on developing high-quality teaching and learning. I am especially passionate about mentoring new and early career teachers, and I hold specialist leader of education status in the ‘quality of teaching, learning, and assessment for initial teacher training’. I truly believe that mathematics is a vital subject, equipping students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that open doors both academically and in everyday life. Your training year offers a unique blend of challenge and reward, and I look forward to guiding you through the complexities and wonders of the secondary mathematics curriculum. Together, we’ll investigate everything from the logic of algebra to the real-world relevance of geometry and statistics. Our dedicated sessions are crafted to nurture your confidence, expand your expertise, and refine your teaching methods. Throughout the coming months, we will collaborate closely as you evolve into thoughtful, impactful mathematics educators.

Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” - Plato

Music enables learners to understand and express themselves through sound, creativity, and performance. It provides the foundation for exploring emotion, culture, and identity - helping pupils to connect with others and make sense of the world around them. Through composing, performing, and listening, learners develop confidence, discipline, and imagination, discovering the power of music to inspire, communicate, and bring people together. Through subject-specific training sessions, trainees will develop secure knowledge of key musical concepts such as rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, and notation, while refining the pedagogical skills essential to high-quality music teaching. You will also explore how to inspire creativity and curiosity in learners, enabling pupils to develop their musicianship, express ideas through sound, and appreciate music across different cultures, genres, and traditions. You will train within a dedicated Music cohort throughout the year. This focused approach ensures that you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to teach across the full music curriculum. All secondary Music trainees receive specialist subject training within their placement schools, supported by a dedicated and highly experienced subject mentor. Explicit links are made across teaching phases from KS2 to KS5, ensuring the content goes beyond the KS3 and KS4 National Curriculum to promote a deep understanding of musical knowledge, creativity, and learner progression across all key stages.

“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist.” - Stephen Hawking

Physics provides the foundation for understanding the principles that govern the universe - from the smallest subatomic particles to the vastness of space. Through subject-specific training sessions, you will develop secure knowledge of how to teach key physical concepts - such as forces, energy, electricity, and waves - while refining the practical, mathematical, and analytical skills essential to high-quality science teaching. You will also explore how to spark curiosity about the physical world, enabling pupils to see physics as a creative and investigative science that reveals the underlying order and beauty of the natural world. Your Subject Lead will support you to make connections between the best available research on quality teaching and classroom practice, helping you to apply and clarify the most effective pedagogical approaches to your subject. Our secondary physics trainees receive specialist subject training within their placement schools, supported by a dedicated and highly experienced subject mentor. Explicit links are made across teaching phases from KS3 to KS5, also considering KS2 and transition, ensuring the content goes beyond the KS3 and KS4 National Curriculum to promote a deep understanding of physical principles and scientific enquiry. Physics trainees will join our cohorts from biology and chemistry throughout the year. This collaborative approach reflects the interconnected nature of teaching science and ensures that you develop the knowledge and skills necessary to teach across the full science curriculum.

Meet the Science Subject Lead, Andrew Williams

To quote Albert Einstein, arguably the greatest scientist of all time, "Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think”. What a prescient thought to bear in mind as you embark on the exciting journey to attain Qualified Teacher Status. My name is Andrew Williams and I will have the pleasure of being your Science Subject Lead, with responsibility for ensuring that you receive the best possible subject-related input during what I know will be a most stimulating and rewarding year. Towards this end, our sessions are designed to be as practical and supportive as possible, providing you with ample opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills you will need to become expert teachers who are fully equipped to inspire the next generation of young scientists. With respect to my own background, as a successful Science and Maths teacher with 35 years’ experience, I have taught Science and Mathematics to A-level as well as taking on a variety of other roles within schools, including Head of Department, Lead Teacher and ITT Coordinator, alongside a range of senior leadership positions. From a wider perspective, I have also acted as a GCSE examination team leader and Science Teacher Leader for the STEM National Science Learning Network. However, as an ecologist, I would say that my natural habitat is definitely in the classroom, and I have always found teaching young people to be the most rewarding aspect of my career in education. In addition, as a passionate scientist, I firmly believe that the subject lies at the heart of the curriculum. Not only is science a fascinating subject in its own right, awakening our sense of wonder by deepening our understanding and appreciation of the amazing world we live in, it also provides a means of developing essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Science also drives the technological advancements that form the bedrock of human progress and, to end with another quote, this time by renowned physicist Edward Teller, “The science of today is the technology of tomorrow”.