We offer the choice of Primary teacher training (3 to 7 or 5 to 11) or Primary with Maths (5 to 11 only).   Both courses teach pupils in subjects across the curriculum but Primary with Maths trainees will also teach Maths lessons to every year group.  Therefore Primary with Maths applicants must hold an A level in the subject at grade B or above. 

Both courses are full time over 36 weeks (term time only), and begins with a week-long induction period in early September where you will have the opportunity to meet fellow trainees and members of the SCITT management team.

Please be aware it is a condition of entry that you spend at least one day in your main placement school prior to starting the course. The date is arranged at a mutually convenient time, but traditionally takes place in June.

In addition, all trainees will be invited to attend a one day pre-course induction at George Abbot School in July.

The programme consists of four inter-related elements which are designed to intellectually challenge and engage trainees in pedagogic theory and practice and develop creative, innovative and reflective practitioners.

1.
Mentored Experience
in Schools

Structured individually tailored mentoring is at the heart of the School Direct programme. The mentor has many roles, they will be your coach, role model, critical friend and reflective practitioner. The mentor will support the trainee in meeting the level of practice required for the award of QTS, as defined in the Teacher’ Standards. All trainees will gradually increase their teaching hours across the year and the Primary with Maths trainees will have the opportunity to teach maths across all year groups.

2.
Professional Studies

Professional studies sessions take place once a week and these are designed to support practical learning. All Primary trainees come together on a Thursday and active participation between trainees is strongly encouraged. It is during the Professional Studies sessions that all subject specialist training is delivered. As Primary Trainees have to teach all subjects in the primary national curriculum, subject knowledge is a key area for development. Trainees will be asked to complete a national curriculum audit at the start of the year to ascertain where gaps in knowledge exist.

Sessions re delivered via a number of methods which include: expert-led presentations, group activities such as role play or discussions, training workshops, visits to various educational settings and blended learning using electronic resources and observations of teaching practice.

Our Professional Studies programme offers training across a wide range of topics linked to the progressive increase in trainees’ classroom practice, including: 

• Behaviour management in the classroom;
• Differentiation;
• Lesson Planning;
• Assessment for Learning;
• Phonics;
• SPAG (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar).

The majority of these sessions will take place across the partnership of schools, with trainees visiting a variety of different educational contexts as part of the programme.

3.
Subject Knowledge
and Pedagogy

Termly sessions are held in schools across the partnership to examine syllabus content, curricular structure and approaches to teaching these. Trainees on the General Primary with Maths programme will also receive additional Maths Subject Knowledge Enhancement training to assist them when they begin (in term two) to move onto teaching Maths across the year groups.

4.
Assignments

Trainees following the PGCE route will complete 2 presentations and 3 Masters level written assignments across the year which will be set and marked by Kingston University and will be linked to your practical training. Trainees following the QTS only route will also complete 4 assignments on similar topics to those of the PGCE but these are not expected to be Masters level and are marked in-house.