Sally Tinkler, Former Gateway Alliance Trainee 2016-2017
Four years ago I was a cleaner and completing my OU degree hoping to kick-start the career I had always wanted. I was lucky – Gateway Alliance offered me a place on their School Direct Midlands Programme. I was apprehensive – I’m in my 40’s and thought I’d be the oldest amongst lots of younger people but this wasn’t the case. There were a real mixture of ages but there was a bond between us all which was formed through our shared experiences and the fantastic teaching team at Warwick University and on Gateway’s CPD courses. Gateway School Direct gave me so much hands on experience in school in differing year groups and different socio economic areas that when I qualified I knew I had been shown the tools to become a great teacher. I am now a subject leader and UNCRC Rights Respecting School lead.