Balcarras School continues to play a leading role in teacher training. The Balcarras Trust is the legal entity which sits behind the Gloucestershire Initial Teacher Education Partnership (GITEP). Our Head Dominic Burke Chairs the partnership and Balcarras continue to be a key partner of GITEP. GITEP aims to train up to 100 new teachers every year. As Chair Mr Burke has to write an annual report which is shared with the trustees of the Balcarras Trust, the governors of Balcarras and the 41 secondary schools that make up the Gloucestershire Association of Secondary School Leaders. Here is the Annual Report for 2026. 

GITEP's leadership team from left to right Chris Nicholls, Director of Odyssey Teaching School Hub, Nat Roberts, Programme Lead for GITEP, Becky Rose, Director of GITEP, Dominic Burke, Chair of GITEP and Cariad Comfort Primary Programme Lead

Report on GITEP to the GASSL LTD AGM June 2026 

It continues to be a pleasure to Chair the Gloucestershire Initial Teacher Education Partnership. In putting this brief report together for the Gloucestershire Association of Secondary School Leaders Limited 2026 AGM, I am grateful to Becky Rose and other colleagues at GITEP and to my fellow board members. GITEP is now 28 years old and it continues to play a key role in training teachers, the vast majority of whom go on to teach in Gloucestershire’s schools. The Balcarras Trust continues to be the legal entity behind GITEP, although the partnership is an alliance comprising all 41 state secondary schools in Gloucestershire. Through our work with the Odyssey Teaching School Hub we have since 2024 offered a primary course as well which is becoming increasingly popular. The relationship between GASSL and GITEP continues to be highly important and each school represented here today should take great pride in being part of this superb partnership. GITEP belongs to the GASSL schools and its future success is crucial to the future of education in the county.

It has been a great year for GITEP. In February the partnership underwent a full OFSTED inspection. It achieved ‘Strong’ in all evaluation areas across both primary and secondary. This was a superb outcome which places GITEP amongst the very best SCITTs nationally. GITEP has been ‘Outstanding’ in all areas in every inspection since 2015. GITEP remains in the top 20% of national providers for course completion and employment rates. I would like to place on record my thanks to Becky Rose, Nat Roberts, Cariad Comfort and everyone who works at GITEP. This superb inspection was a real validation of the exceptional work they do for GITEP.

The partnership is in good health. We have had 84 trainees on course this year: 72 secondary; 12 primary—78 full-time trainees who will complete on July 10th (including 5 salaried trainees)—6 part-time trainees who will complete in December 2026. The largest secondary cohorts have been – science (15) history (9) and computing (7); smallest cohorts – PE (3) and music (2). There have been placements across 35 secondary schools and 12 primary schools. Employment figures for the secondary cohort is currently around 80% (slightly down on this time last year, although we expect this will be higher by the end of term), 75% of which are in Gloucestershire schools which is comparable with previous years. 7 people have gone through the QTS Assessment Only route - for people already working as unqualified teachers (6 secondary; 1 primary).  We have continued to work closely with the Balcarras teaching school hub and the Odyssey Hub as Lead Partners. This year their roles have been in contributing to strategic development and offering significant support in recruitment. The Odyssey Hub has played a leading role in our primary provision.  

GITEP would like to thank Cheltenham Bournside School who provide premises for the GITEP office. I would also like to thank the headteachers who give their time to be on the partnership board. Thank you as well to all schools who have provided placements, seconded subject leads, and provided venues for training sessions – your continuing support is much appreciated.

Looking to the future—recruitment for next year is currently at 80: 67 secondary; 13 primary, with offers out and applications still being received. We are Pleased to have good sized cohorts for science, maths, D&T, and computing (6). Unfortunately, not able to get a business studies course off the ground and won’t be running RE for the second year in a row. The largest secondary cohorts will be science (13+) maths (12+) and D&T (7+); smallest cohorts will be art ( still at 1) music (still at 2) and geography (still at 3). We are launching our Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship route – looking likely to have a cohort of 3 secondary and 2 primary. We have placement offers from 36 secondary schools and 18 primary schools - we hope to be working with all of them. From September we will have a change of PGCE partner for secondary. Strategic priorities for next year will include the growth of apprenticeship route, continued growth of primary routes, maintaining high recruitment and high commitment from schools, and developing our partnerships further with special schools and alternative provision schools. Your ongoing support, in particular for placements and supporting mentors in their role, will be valued. 

I am pleased to report that GITEP continues to operate a good reserve and that its financial position for next year is sound. Because of the decisions the Board have taken in recent years we are confident that the SCITT is sustainable well into the future. However, we need the continued support of the wider GASSL community. We have an excellent SCITT. It is vital that we continue to support it.

Finally, my thanks to Becky Rose and everyone who works at GITEP.

Dominic Burke
Chair of the Gloucestershire Initial Teacher Education Partnership

19.6.2026