THE training of teachers at The Highcrest Academy in High Wycombe has been praised as excellent following an external assessment.

Highcrest was assessed in June under the Oxon-Bucks School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) scheme when a moderator from Kent visited the school to see the progress of its three trainees.

And the SCITT, which is backed by the Department for Education, said the academy in Hatters Lane is one of its lead schools in terms of teacher training.

Assistant Headteacher Emma Bowden said: "The moderator met with all three trainees, their mentors and myself as professional tutor. He watched the mentor and me give feedback on a lesson and commented that this school was one of the best practices of initial teacher training he had seen. He said provision was outstanding, alongside support and challenging trainees to look at the whole context of their teaching.

"This is really good news for us because next year we have eight trainee teachers across the school."

SCITT Manager Neil Brading explained that an external moderator was sent from Kent to carry out the assessment on Highcrest, which is a member of the Oxon-Bucks training scheme.

He said the school, under the "excellent guidance" of the Principal and Assistant Headteacher Emma Bowden has fostered a culture whereby involvement as a mentor is seen as an important aspect of professional development.