THE first set of qualified teachers have graduated from a Basingstoke training centre.

Qualified teacher status was awarded to 19 trainee teachers last month at a ceremony at Audley’s Wood Hotel, enabling them to be employed as secondary school teachers in maths, English, physics, history, PE and modern foreign languages.

Basingstoke Alliance School Centred Initial Teacher Training Programme, based at Dove House School Academy, was accredited as an official teacher training provider in 2013.

Much of the teaching is delivered by Basingstoke teachers recognised for their outstanding expertise.

All 19 trainees now have jobs in secondary schools.