Training with us will lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as a secondary school teacher in one of the following subjects:
Art & Design
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Design Technology
English
Geography
History
Mathematics
Modern Foreign Language (MFL)
Physical Education (including PE with EBacc)
Physics
RE
You will also be able to get a PGCE accredited by our partner, the University of Leicester.
Entry Requirements
- A GCSE (or standard equivalent) at grade C/level 4 in English Language or English, and Mathematics.
- A UK first degree or equivalent qualification
- Enhanced Disclosure from Disclosure and Barring Service
- Satisfactory medical report
We have a strong history of supporting applications from a range of educational and career backgrounds. Get in touch if you are unsure if you could apply, as we will be happy to advise.
We are also looking for:
- Strong subject knowledge: Subject knowledge is crucial. It can come from a range of experiences; A-levels, degrees, industry experience. You do not need a degree that is necessarily connected, but you do need the subject knowledge to inspire and lead a class. We can support with Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses. Use the link to find out more and get in touch to find out how we can help with these.
- Resilience and determination: training to be a teacher is a great experience, and one that requires an openness to learning. We want individuals who are ready for that challenge and want to help make a difference for young people
- A passion to improve lives: Most importantly we want individuals who want to get into teaching to make lives better for young people.
Fundamental mathematics and English skills
In order to recommend you for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) you must be able to demonstrate competence in maths and English. This will be discussed at interview, and if required we can support you in meeting this standard.
Course Length
Our course starts in late August and runs to early July.
Classroom Experience
You train with us full-time and may be eligible to apply for a student loan to cover your course fees, as well as tax-free bursaries for some subjects. You will complete two extended secondary placements in contrasting schools. You will build up your teaching over the year and you will work with teachers in class to develop your practice and be attached to a form group.
In addition you will experience days in a primary school, SEND school and Sixth Form to give you a full knowledge and understanding of your pupils and their educational journey.
Professional Learning Sessions
Across the year you will complete a curriculum of professional learning facilitated by expert colleagues who are education leaders in schools, national leads and international experts on teaching and learning.
These sessions will introduce you to the best evidence-informed practice, linking theory and research to classroom practice. In mixed-subject groups you will use deliberate practice and critical reflection to develop this knowledge into the understanding and behaviours you need for your classrooms and pupils.
Professional learning sessions offer the opportunity to learn with others, in a supportive environment that promotes your wellbeing and inducts you into the professional life of being a teacher, as well as preparing you for interview.
Lead Subject Mentors
One of the key elements of our programme is learning to teach a subject. On our programme you will work with a subject expert, who will deliver a bespoke programme of 18 sessions across the year to develop you as a subject specialist.
Lead Mentors (LMs) bring together practical skills sessions, subject theory, expert colleague visits and keynotes, subject-focused trips and research to develop your knowledge of your subject and the curriculum. LM’s work with placement mentors to tailor the generic learning from professional learning sessions into the meaningful practice of the classroom. They visit you in school placements and support you to complete subject focused assignments.
School Placements
The SCITT works in partnership with over 50 schools in our area. This includes secondary, primary, sixth form and alternative provision to ensure that we can draw on a wide range of knowledge and expertise from expert colleagues.
We have long-established relationships with partner schools, and work with them to offer you high-quality in-school placements where mentors will work with you to take what you learn from professional learning and LM sessions, and develop this into the professional wisdom to be a skilled teacher in the classroom.
Our Lead Professional Mentor works across our schools with our teams of mentors to ensure you are developed through a carefully constructed curriculum, that compliments your professional learning sessions through an instructional coaching approach.
School placements will:
- ensure you gain quality experience in the classroom with support from expert colleagues to practise and refine your knowledge, skills and behaviours
- mirror professional learning and LM sessions to allow you to practice and rehearse this learning in the classroom
- give you granular action steps for improvement that will allow you to develop your teaching in a supportive way and without cognitive overload
- provide you with weekly observations and mentor meetings to discuss your progress and agree action steps for improvement
- involve you in school-based professional learning and CPD led by a dedicated Initial Teacher Training Coordinator
- give you opportunities to engage in the wider life of schools, including pastoral roles, department meetings, extra-curricular clubs, school trips and parents’ evenings.
In addition we provide you with experience in a SEND school organised through our partner, Ash Field Academy. Professional learning sessions, led by expert colleagues from Ash Field Academy, will prepare you for working with SEND pupils prior to the visit. Following this there are opportunities for trainees to extend their visit to spend more time in the SEND context.
On our programme, we also provide you with experience in a sixth form. As many of Leicester and Leicestershire schools only offer Key Stage 3 and 4, we want to ensure that you have experience of working with Key Stage 5 pupils.
We also provide you enhancement days in a primary school, to develop your knowledge and understanding of the high expectations secondary school teachers should have for Year 7 pupils – and a deeper knowledge of the primary context.
Post-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
Through your time with the SCITT, you will work towards a PGCE in secondary education accredited by the University of Leicester. This is designed by the UoL with SCITT, and delivered by PGCE tutors who are both education academics and teaching experts.
The PGCE sits at the heart of the SCITT curriculum. It supports you to use theory to transform and improve learning in your classroom, through a deep understanding of how pupils learn.
Teacher Training Events
Find out more about our programme and how to apply
https://www.leicestershiresecondaryscitt.org/about-us/online-events/
Overview
- Two extended secondary school placements
- Lead Subject Tutor sessions focused on subject expertise and pedagogy
- Professional learning sessions by expert colleagues
- Week long placement in SEND school
- Two further placements in a primary and sixth form school to give you an full understanding of the educational landscape
- A dedicated Lead Professional Mentor to oversee mentoring across the programme.
