Celebrating Our Newest Teachers
Posted 7th July 2025
Last week, Red Kite Teacher Training celebrated a significant moment as nearly 180 trainee teachers were recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), marking their official entry into the teaching profession.
The event, hosted at Harrogate Grammar School, brought together trainees, mentors, and school leaders to reflect on an incredible year of hard work, personal growth, and professional development. It was a joyful and emotional occasion as the Red Kite community celebrated the achievements of the 2025 cohort and welcomed them into the next phase of their careers as Early Career Teachers (ECTs).
Victoria Lickley, Director of Red Kite Teacher Training, reflected on the importance of the milestone:
“Last week we celebrated as nearly 180 new teachers entered the profession. Red Kite Teacher Training has provided a firm foundation as our trainees smoothly transition to ECTs and continue to uphold the traditions and values of the profession. We have passed the baton to a new generation of teachers who will hopefully return as mentors and be leaders of the future.”
Neil Renton, Headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School, and Hannah McNamara, Headteacher at Coppice Valley Primary School, spoke at the event, offering heartfelt congratulations and encouragement as the trainees prepare to inspire and nurture future generations.
The celebration was also a moment to share trainee voices and reflections on their journey. Many highlighted the invaluable support provided by their Early Career Leads (ECLs), with one trainee saying:
“Our ECLs have been a lifeboat, after a meeting with them, we felt like we could do anything.”
Trainees also praised the University of Leeds for its contribution to the programme, with one commenting on the balance it struck between academic rigour and pastoral support:
“The University of Leeds set high academic standards while being incredibly caring.”
The event not only celebrated individual achievement but also the collaborative effort that underpins Red Kite’s school-centred approach, where expert teachers, academic partners and dedicated mentors all contribute to preparing confident and compassionate teachers.
As the trainees begin their ECT years in schools across the region and beyond, they carry with them the skills, knowledge and values instilled throughout their training. The future of the profession is in excellent hands.
