Application Criteria
How to apply
How to apply for teacher training
Applications for initial teacher training (ITT) courses are made via a system administered by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
If you are ready to make your application, you can do so through UCAS Teacher Training, the new teacher training portal through which you can apply for all postgraduate ITT.
Before making your application you should register with the Department for Education (DfE) online, or on freephone 0800 389 2500. You will receive a tailored programme of advice and updates to help you make the best application you can. They also have a range of helpful advice on there website, including:
- Helpful tools and tips to support you through the application process
- Advice on which route into teaching will be best for you.
- Assistance in school experience
- Support in taking the mandatory skills tests
- Explanation of the financial support available
Eligibility
School Direct offers a unique training route to achieving qualified teacher status (QTS) and aims to attract the highest quality candidates
In order to apply for a place on School Direct, you must have:
- A UK undergraduate degree or a recognised equivalent qualification, prefered 2:1 or above
- A standard equivalent to a grade C in the GCSE examinations in English, Mathematics and Science.
If you studied outside of the UK, you should visit the National Academic Recognition Centre (NARIC) website to find out whether your qualifications are of an equivalent level to UK GCSEs, A levels and an undergraduate degree.
The School Direct Training Programme focuses on developing teaching skills. You should have a strong understanding of the Primary curriculum before you start training. In addition, all candidates applying for initial teacher training (ITT) courses are required to have passed the literacy and numeracy professional skills tests before starting teacher training.
School Direct Training Programme (salaried)
If you wish to apply for a place on the School Direct Salaried Programme, you are required to have at least three years’ work experience in addition to the eligibility requirements detailed above.
It is prefered that you have a 2:1 degree or above. In some circumstances a 2:2 maybe considered in relation to your previous school based experience.
Schools will specify which skills and experience are important to them in their UCAS entry profile and marketing material. This experience may be in any career and does not have to be from an educational setting, but should generally apply to the years following graduation. You should contact your chosen school with any questions regarding your experience.
Recent and relevant primary school experience is a pre-requisite and a minimum of 10 days is required prior to commencing the course.
If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for School Direct, there are alternative teacher training options available to you.
Funding
The funding available to you will depend on which School Direct training route you choose.
School Direct Training Programme (salaried)
You will be paid a salary by the school in which you train. This salary will be in line with the unqualified teacher pay ranges if you are employed by a local authority maintained school, or at the advertised rate at an alliance. You will not need to pay fees to cover the cost of your qualified teacher status (QTS) award. You will not be eligible for a training bursary.
School Direct Training Programme (tuition)
You could be eligible for a tax-free bursary, depending on the degree class that you hold.
In order to encourage the best people to enter the profession, you will need at least a 2:1 degree to be eligible for a training bursary for initial teacher training (ITT) courses.
A 2:2 degree maybe considered in relation to your previous school based experience which would need to be discussed prior to your application to the Alliance.
You will need to pay tuition fees to cover the cost of your course. Tuition fees for a course through Wolverhampton University are £9000.
Student finance (School Direct Training Programme only)
All candidates from the EU are eligible for a tuition fee loan. In addition, candidates from the UK can also apply for a means-tested maintenance grant of up to £3,250 and a maintenance loan of up to £5,500 (more if you live away from home and you study in London). Gov.uk offers further information about student finance, including a finance calculator to help estimate the grants and loans that may be available to you.
Bursaries
To find out more about the funding you might be entitled to, please visit UCAS's postgraduate funding page
Links
www.education.gov.uk/aboutdfe/executiveagencies/a00223538/nat-college-teach-leader
www.ucas.com/apply/teacher-training
For any additional information about School Direct please contact Mr Chris Randall
Tel: 0121 353 9273 Email: crandall@lindens.walsall.sch.uk