Dr Challoner’s Grammar School was designated as the Teaching School Hub for Buckinghamshire by the Department for Education in 2021, and was re-accredited in 2024 to continue as the Teaching School Hub for Buckinghamshire for a further four years. Leading a Teaching School Hub - Astra Teaching School Hub (https://www.astrahub.org) - involves taking responsibility as a 'system leader' for a range of key national priorities which support the Golden Thread of teacher career development. These include:
Astra Teaching School Hub works collaboratively with local ITT providers across Buckinghamshire. One such provider is Astra SCITT, a School-Centred Initial Teacher Training provider, also based at DCGS.
Astra SCITT works with Bath Spa University and our partner schools across Buckinghamshire. Astra SCITT provides outstanding support and training for new entrants into the profession, both primary and secondary.
Further information on teacher training through the Astra SCITT.
Astra Teaching School Hub provides Appropriate Body services for Early Career Teacher (ECT) induction across Buckinghamshire and beyond. Astra also facilitates the full induction ECF programme on behalf of Best Practice Network for ECTs and Mentors in the region. Further information on Astra’s Appropriate Body services and ECF, can be found here:
Appropriate Body servicesEarly Career FrameworkIn partnership with Best Practice Network, Astra offers the full range of newly reformed NPQs for schools across Buckinghamshire:
Further information about the NPQ programmes can be found here:
National Professional Qualifications