School-based

School-based training options

There are two School Direct training options you can apply for: one that’s open to all high-quality graduates; and a salaried option for high-quality graduates who also have transferable work experience. These training options are applied for through UCAS.

School Direct training programmes, including those run by School-Centred Initial Teacher Training organisations (SCITTs), are listed under 'School Direct Training Programme' or 'School Direct Training Programme (Salaried)'. SCITT training programmes will be under the name of the SCITT.

Please note that for all of these routes into teaching your must have a degree & a GCSE grade C/4 or above in maths and English. If you wish to teach primary age children you will also need a GCSE grade C/4 or above in science. Exact entry requirements may vary dependent on the provider.

School Direct Training Programme

This school-led option offers practical, hands-on training ‘on the job’, with support from experienced teachers and mentors. With regular attendance at university, this is a more gradual introduction to classroom work than the salaried option. School Direct courses generally last a year and offer training in at least two schools. School Direct courses all result in qualified teacher status (QTS). Most also award a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) and/or master’s-level credits.

UK and EU trainees may be eligible for a training bursary (or where appropriate, scholarship) and can apply for a student loan to cover the cost of the course tuition fees. Generous tax-free bursaries and scholarships of up to £25,000 are available to train to teach some subjects. Tuition fees will vary depending on the institution, and the maximum fee you can be charged is £9,250. You should contact Student Finance England to apply for a tuition fee loan.

School Direct Training Programme (Salaried)

This route allows you to train on the job and earn a salary during your training. It is open to graduates with at least three years work experience in any career. The amount you earn will be dependent on the school you train in and the subject you're teaching. For example, schools may offer enhanced salaries to trainees in maths, physics and computing. School Direct (salaried) courses normally take a year to complete.

School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)

SCITT programmes are designed and delivered by groups of neighbouring schools and colleges. They provide practical, hands-on teacher training programmes, taught by experienced, practising teachers. You’ll usually be based in one school from the consortium – the lead school – while completing teaching practice at others in the group.

Training programmes generally last for one academic year full-time, running from September to June and result in QTS. Some start earlier. You may be eligible to receive funding through student finance while you train for your SCITT.

To apply you should contact teacher training schools directly through our Hertfordshire: Teaching School Hubs.

TES Straight to Teaching

If you’re a graduate and are already working in a school as a TA or unqualifed teacher, the Straight to Teaching programme from TES can help you to take the next step in your career and become a qualified teacher without having to leave your current school.

TES Institute Teaching Apprenticeships

This route is designed for apprentices who will be employed in Primary or Secondary education in mainstream schools in England. The two age ranges are 5-11 or 11-16.

The employing school needs to ensure the trainee is on an Unqualified Teacher scale salary, minimum scale 1.

The programme will run for 15 months which will combine school based and online training, followed by preparation for and undertaking.

Please see here for more information.

Teach First Leadership Development Programme

The Teach First Leadership Development Programme is a two-year programme, which combines your development as a practising teacher with personal and business skills training. Trainees have six weeks' intensive training before teaching in a school in a low-income community for two years. Teach First participants are paid and employed by their primary or secondary school throughout the two years. Salaries vary according to the region and school in which you are placed. In your first year you will be paid the equivalent of an unqualified teacher, and in your second year you will be paid at least the same as a newly qualified teacher, possibly more, depending on your responsibilities.

Eligible candidates will need to satisfy the following minimum requirements:

2:1 degree or above, 300 UCAS points (or equivalent, excluding General Studies)
A degree and/or A levels that satisfy the teaching subject requirements.
Grade C (or equivalent) in GCSE maths and English
Flexibility to work anywhere within Teach First's locations
Commitment to the duration of the two-year Leadership Development Programme

More information can be found on Teach First – www.teachfirst.org.uk

Grad 2 Teach

Grad2Teach is a new teacher training initiative that gives you the opportunity to begin fully paid employment immediately and gain a PGCE with QTS at the end of the two year scheme.

The programme has been developed by Grad2Teach and The University of Buckingham,
a leading teacher training provider, and has been designed specifically to offer top quality
graduates the opportunity of:

Drawing a salary while you train
Having one of the Grad2Teach consultants hand-pick the perfect training school for you
Being offered the very best of training from Grad2Teach partners

You will begin your career in education in a teaching support role, progressing at a pace that suits you to become an unqualified teacher and ultimately to gain a PGCE with QTS. By the end of the programme, you will be a confident, capable and qualified teaching professional with excellent career prospects and earning potential.

For applicants who already have signifcant school based experience and can provide references, Grad2Teach also operates a ‘fast track’ 1 year course. If you think you qualify, please ask your consultant.

For more information, visit Grad 2 Teach.