BTSA – Benfleet Team Supporting All
Kingston Primary School is proud to be the lead primary school for BTSA (Benfleet Team Supporting All), working in partnership with The King John School to train, support and develop teachers and school leaders.
BTSA works with more than 50 schools across South Essex and Southend-on-Sea. Through initial teacher training, early career development, professional learning and leadership programmes, we help schools develop excellent teachers at every stage of their careers.
Our shared purpose is simple: to improve children’s education by investing in the people who teach and support them.
Kingston’s role in BTSA
Kingston’s contribution extends across both primary and secondary education. Our BTSA team brings together teaching, senior leadership, teacher training, recruitment and programme management expertise.
Mrs Jane Jones – BTSA Partnership Lead
Kingston’s Deputy Headteacher supports primary teacher training, working closely with trainees, school mentors and partnership schools.
Paul Norman – BTSA Partnership Lead
Part of Kingston’s team, Paul is an experienced secondary senior leader. He leads secondary initial teacher training and oversees and facilitates early career teacher development.
Denise Mair – BTSA Partnership Manager
Denise is part of Kingston’s team and coordinates programme administration and finance, supporting trainees, schools and colleagues across BTSA’s provision.
Maxine Howard – BTSA Recruitment Manager
Also part of Kingston’s team, Maxine manages teacher training recruitment and onboarding, supports applicants and helps coordinate the secondary ITT and internship programmes.
Together with The King John School, this team connects expertise across primary and secondary education and provides a welcoming point of contact for prospective teachers and partner schools.
Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
Start your teaching career with practical experience, expert guidance and a supportive local network.
BTSA offers school-based primary and secondary teacher training in partnership with Tes Institute, the accredited ITT provider. The primary programme prepares trainees to teach children aged 5–11.
The programme leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), with the option of completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
Trainees develop their classroom practice through:
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A partnership school placement, supported by an experienced in-school mentor.
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Weekly mentoring and additional guidance from a Tes Institute Pathway Tutor.
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A protected study day and weekly face-to-face training with fellow BTSA trainees.
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Planned opportunities to practise teaching approaches, receive feedback and reflect.
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A contrasting second-school placement and visits to broaden their experience, including SEND provision.
Training connects educational research with the realities of classroom teaching, helping trainees develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to begin their careers.
Whether you are finishing your degree or considering a career change, our team can help you explore the programme and application process.
Find out about teacher training, entry requirements and recruitment events
Early Career Teachers (ECTs)
Our support continues beyond qualification, helping new teachers build confidence and deepen their expertise.
BTSA works in partnership with Teach First to deliver the Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE), previously known as the Early Career Framework programme.
This two-year development programme helps early career teachers build on their initial training and apply evidence-informed approaches in their classrooms.
Through BTSA, ECTs benefit from:
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Structured professional learning alongside support from their school-based mentor.
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Local training and opportunities to learn with other early career teachers.
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Core and stretch options that respond to their professional development.
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Subject-specific and phase-focused training, including Early Years.
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Optional learning focused on SEND and leadership.
BTSA also supports early career mentors with training and resources to help them guide, challenge and encourage the teachers they mentor.
Bringing teachers together across local schools creates a professional network where they can share experiences, discuss challenges and celebrate progress.
Explore BTSA’s early career teacher and mentor programmes
Professional development and leadership
BTSA supports professional learning throughout a career in education. Alongside ITT and early career development, its provision includes:
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Continuing professional development (CPD) informed by research and classroom practice.
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National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) in partnership with Best Practice Network.
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Leadership development for colleagues preparing for, or strengthening, leadership responsibilities.
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Tailored school-to-school support drawing on expertise across the partnership.
Our partnership with The King John School connects primary and secondary perspectives, helping colleagues learn from one another and strengthen practice across phases.
Why this matters to Kingston
Being at the heart of BTSA reflects Kingston’s commitment to professional learning, collaboration and high-quality teaching.
Training and supporting teachers encourages us to reflect on our own practice, engage with research and share expertise. It also enables Kingston to contribute to education beyond our own classrooms, supporting the teachers and leaders who will make a difference to children across our region.
Get in touch
If you are interested in becoming a teacher, supporting an early career colleague or exploring professional development for your school, please contact the BTSA team.
Website: www.btsa.uk
Email: BTSA@kingston.essex.sch.uk
