i2i Teaching Partnership

About us

Our partnership

We work with more than 145 primary and secondary schools across Surrey, Hampshire, Middlesex and Berkshire to deliver a highly supportive teacher training programme.

The programme currently leads to both Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for aspiring secondary school teachers in 2025–26. From 2026–27, this will expand to include recruitment for primary and special school teachers.

Training Centres

Our programme is delivered across five centres, with bases at:

• Farnham (Weydon School)

• Reigate (Reigate School)

• Shepperton (Thamesmead School)

• Southampton (Wildern School)

• Basingstoke (Queen Mary College)

Our vision

At i2i, it is not only about what we do, but why we do it. Our vision is to deliver an outstanding teacher training programme that equips trainees to become exceptional teachers of the future. We aim to inspire a love of lifelong learning and to improve the life chances of all young people with whom our trainees work.

Our Programme

The i2i curriculum

The i2i curriculum sets out the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that trainees will develop during the training year. It is underpinned by national frameworks such as the ITT Core Content Framework and the Teaching Standards, and shaped by high-quality educational research.

In addition, the curriculum is designed in collaboration with partner schools to ensure it remains both realistic and responsive to the needs of schools in our local community.

Programme structure

The programme combines centre-based training, school placements, and enrichment opportunities to provide a comprehensive teacher training experience.

Centre-based training

Centre-based training takes place weekly for most of the year and includes:

• Pedagogical Studies Programme

• Intensive Training and Practice (ITaP)

• Subject Studies

• PGCE Programme

School-based training

Trainees are placed in a main placement school and also complete a second placement in another school for one half term. Each placement school must provide a subject or phase specialist mentor, as well as an ITT Coordinator to oversee the trainee’s progress.

Enrichment placements

To give trainees a broader understanding of education, the programme also includes three enrichment placements. These take place in a selection of settings, which may include:

• Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3 or Key Stage 5 provision

• A Pupil Referral Unit

• A Prison Education Unit

• A Special School

WMAT Schools Contribution

Supporting teacher training opportunities

As a school that is both within the WMAT and the wider i2i partnership, we ask that you consider how you can support and promote the training opportunities available through our organisation and, where relevant, within your own school.

School Experience Programme

The School Experience Programme offers those considering a career in teaching the chance to spend a day in school. Participants are immersed in the department, with opportunities to observe teaching, experience pastoral work, and talk directly to teachers about day-to-day life in the profession.

Website presence

We ask that your school website includes a clear link to Teacher Training and the i2i partnership on the home page, making the training offer explicit. Content for this can be supplied by us.

Promotional materials

• Fence banners: Bespoke to your school (where we are able to train teachers on site), these banners are displayed on outward-facing fences for public visibility.

• Roll-up banners: Customised to your school, these can be displayed in reception areas and used at events to raise awareness of teacher training opportunities.

Social media engagement

We encourage schools to follow us on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Sharing, retweeting, and tagging @i2ipartnership in your own content helps to extend our reach. We also provide event posts that can be easily shared across your platforms.

Hosting events

We are able to host Information Seminars at your school to attract potential local trainees. These events provide a valuable opportunity for individuals to learn more about teaching as a career.

Ongoing communication

We will be in contact with the Headteacher or Principal to discuss your school’s needs and to ensure we can provide the best possible support within our provision.

The Process

Recruitment process

Recruitment for the i2i Teaching Partnership opens in October and continues until the following July. All applications are submitted through the Department for Education portal. We hold interviews almost every week across our five centres.

Candidate preferences

As part of their application, candidates are invited to nominate the school where they would prefer to train. For successful applicants, we will discuss their choice and make every effort to accommodate it. However, we also explain that there may be occasions where this is not possible, due to constraints within schools that affect their ability to host a trainee for the full academic year.

School involvement

Each school is asked to complete an audit of its departments and subject areas that are able to host a trainee. We encourage this to be discussed at Senior Leadership level to ensure that schools are able to contribute as fully as possible to our training provision.

Building relationships

Our experience shows that candidates often express a preference for schools where they have already had some experience. This might include attending an information seminar, completing school experience, or exploring the school’s website. These early interactions help to establish relationships that play an important role in the success of the training year.

Outcomes for trainees

Historically, over 70 per cent of our trainees have secured teaching positions in their training school or within one of our partnership schools on completion of their programme.