STETS developed from an earlier non-residential ministerial training scheme called Southern Dioceses Ministerial Training Scheme (SDMTS), founded in 1974 by a group chaired by the Salisbury and Wells Theological College Principal, Reginald Askew.
The scheme was based at the college but complementary to it, offering training for self-supporting ordained ministry.
He was followed by Vernon White (2001–2011), later Canon Theologian at Westminster Abbey and visiting professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at King's College, London.
The final Principal of STETS was David Holgate (2011–2014),[1] later Sub-Dean and Canon for Theology and Ministry at Manchester Cathedral.
STETS closed in February 2015, after its initial ministerial and lay training programmes were integrated with those of Sarum College.