Your Training:  Whilst most of your training will take place 'on the job' within your placement school, during your course, you will also take part in a central and subject specific training programme.  During the first term, this will be a on Thursday and Friday, reducing to a Friday only as the course progresses. By February, you will be working in school 5 days a week.

Our central training programme covers areas including, but not limited to: safeguarding, equality and diversity,  SEND, Behaviour Management, Assessment, English as an Additional Language, Differentiation and Professional Behaviour.

You will also have subject specific training sessions delivered by your Subject Lead Tutor.

What we are looking for: In addition to meeting the Secondary phase qualification eligibility requirements, we are looking to applicants who are suited to the teaching profession both academically and personally. You need to be flexible, adaptable and resilient, highly motivated and have the utmost professionalism at all times.  You need to be able to demonstrate your enthusiasm for working with children and young people, being able to build good relationships with them and your colleagues, treating everyone with respect and dignity. You must be prepared to work hard, be passionate about your subject and working with young people.  We actively welcome applications from mature students, valuing their experience of life and the world of work, as well as applicant straight from their first degree.  We enourage trainees from a variety of backgrounds and offer necessary support, as far as practicable, to those trainees with additional needs. 

Degree and A-Levels: Trainees are expected to have a degree of which at least 50% of the course content relates to the subject they are wishing to train in. An A-Level in the chosen subject is also preferred, particular for Maths and Science,  Social Science and Modern Languages, but not essential.

Modern Languages: Modern Language candidates will be required to train across two languages (normally French, German or Spanish) and all Modern Language applicants must hold a degree in the main language they wish to teach as well as the ability to teach a second curriculum language, although ideally an A-level in this second language is preferred.    Native speakers with the ability to speak an additional curriculum language will also be considered

Social Science: Social Science covers a wide range of subjects including; Psychology, Sociology, Politics, and Law.  Some Social Science departments also include BTEC Child Play, Learning and Development or BTEC Criminology etc. Trainees will be expected to teach their main Social Science subject (based upon their degree), plus have the ability to teach a second subject at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.  An A-Level in this second subject or demonstration of experience is required.

School Experience: School experience isn't essential, however, we do recommend that you gain an understanding of what it is like to be a teacher and their role within the classroom, particularly in your chosen subject area.  Previous trainees have advised that gaining this has helped them with their transition to becoming a teacher.   This experience can be gained by volunteering within a school, working as a Teaching Assistant, arranging for school experience days  etc.  A consideration of the National Curriculum in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 within your chosen subject area would also be recommended.