Inspectors have heaped praise on a training scheme which is helping to produce some of the best young teachers in Leicestershire.

The project, started by a group of primary schools, has trained 100 new recruits to teaching, and many of them have already gone on to successfully teach thousands of children in the city and rest of the county.

Normally people who have finished a degree and want to become a teacher go on to a postgraduate course in education at a university.

But graduates of Leicester's Scitt (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) spend much of their time in the classroom, and it is this that has so impressed Ofsted.

The education watchdog has judged the project as outstanding, saying the 25 trainees each year go on to become high-quality, confident teachers and good role models, which is vital to help raise standards.

One of the teachers who is currently training, Paul Carr, 26, of Narborough Road, Leicester, said: "You get in the classroom at first and it's petrifying.

"But the experience you get is brilliant and there's so much support pastorally and professionally and that's a lovely feeling.

"When you start, you're thinking of your own career and some days are tough, but it doesn't take long before you're not thinking of yourself, you're thinking of getting the best out of the children.

"It's definitely better than sitting in a huge lecture theatre."

The prospective teachers are mentored by former course members and receive training as a group in issues such as behaviour management, different teaching methods and IT.

Another trainee, Saira Hanif, 26, of Highfields, Leicester, said: "It's hard work but really worthwhile.

"You're actually in primary schools where you get helped out all the time and that makes you relaxed while you're learning.

"It seems like a personalised service. I've learned a lot."

Cathy Moss, head teacher of Dovelands Primary School, in Hinckley Road, Leicester, where the Scitt is based, said: "We've believed for some time we are producing newly qualified teachers of the highest calibre. The real beneficiaries are the thousands of pupils in local schools who will be taught by extremely well-trained teachers."

Dovelands pupil Asha Phillips, 10, who is taught by Saira, said: "Teachers are good when they have a good personality."

Classmate Luis Scott said: "Good teachers squeeze fun into boring lessons."

Course manager Adam Thomas said: "We are delighted to celebrate this magnificent achievement. It is the teamwork and dedication of everyone associated, at all levels, that has led to this outstanding result."

The 10 primary schools which are full members of the Scitt are: Dovelands; Bishop Ellis, in Thurmaston; Coleman Primary, in Crown Hills; Elizabeth Woodville, in Groby; Folville Juniors, in Braunstone; Granby, in Aylestone; Herrick, in Rushey Mead; Launde, in Oadby; Mayflower, in Highfields, and Thistly Meadow, in Blaby. A further 13 are connected to the project.

The centre is holding an open evening for graduates thinking about becoming primary school teachers at Dovelands Primary School on Monday, June 22.

For more information e-mail:

scitt@dovelands.leicester.sch.uk