Portsmouth SCITT, our Trust’s accredited teacher training provider, is part of the Increasing Diversity in Initial Teacher Training (ITT) project — a four-year national initiative funded by Mission 44, in partnership with Being Luminary, the Chartered College of Teaching and Chiltern Learning Trust.

The project focuses on addressing the systemic barriers faced by trainee teachers from Global Majority Heritage (GMH) backgrounds throughout the ITT journey, from application and selection through to qualification and progression. Research published by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) in 2024 and 2025 highlights that while candidates from GMH backgrounds are well represented at the application stage, they are significantly less likely to be accepted onto ITT programmes, to qualify, or to progress into leadership roles.

Through this project, Portsmouth SCITT is working alongside partner organisations to strengthen inclusive practice across school-centred ITT providers and placement schools.

For the University of Chichester (Multi) Academy Trust, this work supports our wider commitment to building a more representative, inclusive and aspirational workforce — one that reflects the communities we serve and helps ensure that all young people are taught by teachers who bring diverse perspectives, experiences and strengths to the classroom.