Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT
Ensuring Alignment and Consistency Across Centre and School Settings
Overview
Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT, a mid-sized teacher training provider working across both primary and secondary phases, which is part of Nova Education Trust, is demonstrating how innovation can address some of the sector’s most complex challenges. With over 65 trainees and a broad network of mentors and subject leads, the SCITT is using IRIS Connect’s Pathways and video tools to deliver consistent, high-quality training experiences at scale without compromising personalisation or rigour.
The Challenge
Before adopting IRIS Connect, intensive training practices at the SCITT were managed through a combination of centre-based training and live modelling in schools. Coordinating these across multiple subject domains and school partners was resource-heavy and inconsistent. As Treena Philpotts, Director of Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT, explains:
“Each week involved 15 subjects running in tandem, with every subject lead needing oversight. Ensuring consistent quality and communication across that many moving parts was incredibly demanding.”
Subject days varied widely in quality, and the team lacked visibility over what was being delivered across settings. This made quality assurance more challenging with greater workload demands for the SCITT team to ensure all provision aligned and was consistent.
A New Model for ITAP
The introduction of customised Pathways on IRIS Connect has transformed the SCITT’s approach to Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) weeks. Each Pathway is now used to anchor trainees’ learning across both centre-based and in-school settings, creating a cohesive professional learning journey.
Trainees begin at the training centre, working through the Pathway together using IRIS Connect recorded model examples to deconstruct and to record their own ‘practice’ lesson delivery. They then visit schools in subject-specific groups before returning to centre and later delivering their own lessons. Throughout, their progress is visible to both central staff and school-based mentors.
“Now we can see exactly what our trainees are doing in schools, and subject leads can see what they’re doing in centre. That mutual visibility has made a huge difference,” says Treena.
The result is a much more coherent experience for trainees.
All subjects cover the same theory and research-informed content, while retaining subject-specific relevance. Whether it’s PE, English or Science, trainees engage with the same teaching concept in ways tailored to their subject context.
Sarah Lynas, Lead Subject Tutor for PE, has seen this benefit first-hand:
“IRIS Connect has significantly reduced the workload. I am able to watch and read the content to have a clear understanding and from this I can streamline the resources needed to ensure core content is subject specific.”
James Connolly, Lead Subject Tutor for Computing, agrees:
“It’s completely changed the way I support our trainees. Being able to pause, rewind, and really focus in on key moments has made feedback much more meaningful, and it saves a huge amount of time compared to traditional observations.”
Building a Stronger Professional Culture
The benefits haven’t stopped with trainees. The IRIS Connect platform has proven a powerful training tool for subject leads themselves. Treena explains:
“Even experienced subject tutors are learning through this. They can see the research trainees are engaging with, their responses, and the overall learning journey. It’s upskilling the whole team.”
For example, a recent ITAP focused on dialogic teaching introduced new content that challenged and developed the subject leads’ own understanding. With shared Pathways and a central platform, the SCITT could support everyone through the shift together.
This model has also supported new subject leads, providing them with a clear structure and helping them step into their roles with confidence and clarity.
“What I really like is how it puts the trainee in control — they can watch themselves back and spot things they might have missed,” adds James Connolly. “It’s made the whole process feel much more joined-up.”
Supporting Cultural Change
Torch SCITT’s use of IRIS Connect is not just logistical, it’s cultural. It reflects a vision of teacher training rooted in reflection, self-regulation, and continual improvement.
“The goal is for trainees to become self-regulating professionals who can reflect, refine and improve without needing someone else to say what went well or what could be even better,” says Treena.
Video and audio tools allow trainees to reflect in ways that are safe and manageable, even in schools where filming is not yet fully embedded. From voice recordings to blurred videos, the flexibility of the platform has helped address initial concerns around privacy and security.
“We’ve found workarounds to build confidence. Once people see how secure the system is, they get on board.”
This has opened the door to wider interest from partner schools, not just for ITT, but for whole-school CPD.
Sarah Lynas summarises: “Initially I saw IRIS Connect as a way for trainees to be able to see their own delivery and have a greater way to reflect, I did not realise the full scope of the platform. What I love the most, is the organisation of it! Everything is together, in one place, making it easy to use, to review, to revisit and also for trainees to see their progress.”
A Foundation for Future Innovation
Torch SCITT is also leading the way in exploring the role of AI in teacher development. In the final six weeks of the programme, when trainees are no longer attending centre-based training, the goal is to use IRIS Connect’s AI tools to support autonomous reflection.
“It’s about nurturing a mindset where teachers constantly want to get better,” says Treena. “We’re trialling AI Insights that can prompt reflection without needing a human to intervene. This would provide additional valuable opportunities for trainees to self-reflect.”
Their early experiments are promising: AI was able to identify key moments in lessons, giving trainees helpful prompts for reflection. While some nuances are yet to be defined, the team is excited to see where this could lead.
Looking Ahead
With a strong foundation and a culture of experimentation, Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT is proving how IRIS Connect can help ITT providers deliver scalable, consistent and empowering training experiences.
As a NASBTT Innovation Award winner, the SCITT continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in initial teacher training, with a model that others across the sector will want to watch closely.
Would you like to explore the use of IRIS Connect for ITT?