Christine Helme, Teaching and Learning Development Manager at Cambridge Regional College, is one of only a small number of teachers in the UK to have achieved Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) this year.
Advanced Teacher Status is a widely respected accolade of advanced professionalism and mastery in further education and training. It is an advanced professional status that is conferred by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) through the Society for Education and Training (SET).
Designed to offer a progression step from QTLS and recognise teachers and trainers with significant experience, the award can only be achieved by demonstrating mastery in teaching, an exemplary level of subject knowledge and effectiveness in working collaboratively to improve teaching standards. The ETF has worked closely with the Chartered College of Teaching to ensure holders are also granted Chartered Teacher Status.
Assessments for those enrolled includes producing an in-depth portfolio that consists of critical incidents, case studies, research projects, reflective journals, meetings with mentees, observations of teaching practices and more. Less than fifty teachers from across the country achieved accreditation on Christine’s course this year.
Christine says, “I am delighted to have achieved Advanced Teacher Status as this was an extremely challenging but rewarding endeavour. This experience encourages you to build collaborative relationships with colleagues and learners, as well as develop your skills in mentoring colleagues in a way that brings about positive change. Maintaining and updating your subject 
knowledge and educational research is essential for personal development and I am very thankful to have had this opportunity.”
Cambridge Regional College Assistant Principal, Quality Improvement, Corrin Hoyes says, “We would like to congratulate Christine on this wonderful achievement. At CRC, we firmly believe in development for everyone, teachers and students, and encourage this across the college, providing regular training and CPD sessions for staff to keep their skills and knowledge at the cutting edge. Christine is a fantastic role model for both her colleagues and students; everyone at CRC is now set to benefit from her experience gained during this process”.
Christine’s Advanced Teacher Status achievement is just one of many success stories relating to CRC lecturers in recent times. Catering lecturer Katie Churchard reached the second heat of Channel 4 cooking show, Bake Off: The Professionals earlier this year and QTLS lecturer Graham Taylor appeared on Channel S in his role as a judge of the ARTA Awards. CRC also played a significant part in the ‘Further Pathways to FE’ scheme, designed to encourage graduates to consider exploring a career in teaching in partnership with the Education and Training Foundation and local universities.
For more information on CRC please visit www.camre.ac.uk
