School-based Training

School-based Training

School-based initial teacher training is an inspiring route that enables you to gain qualified teacher status (QTS) through training within a school for the majority of your course. This gives you an enhanced understanding of the wider aspects of school life and the experiences of being a teacher.

Many school-based programmes are run in partnership with a university and therefore offer PGCE with Masters credits. The main routes for school-based teacher training are School Direct, School Direct Salaried, Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeships, and School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programmes.

School Direct

You will apply directly to a Lead School, and complete your training in either that school or one of its partner schools. All School Direct courses lead to QTS,and many offer a PGCE and/or Masters level credits in partnership with a university. Trainees paying tuition fees may be eligible for a scholarship/bursary of up to £28,000 dependent on their subject, and can apply for student loans.

Salaried School Direct

An employment based route for graduates with at least three years' work experience. Trainees receive an unqualified teacher's salary from the school, and do not pay tuition fees for their QTS course, but may be charged fees for PGCE if awarded. Always check with the school you're applying to for more details.

Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship

As with the School Direct salaried route, you will be paid a salary based on the unqualified teacher pay scale while you are training and do not incur any training fees. In addition to gaining QTS, apprentices are required to undertake an end-point assessment (EPA).

School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)

Leading to QTS, SCITT courses are delivered by schools. Most of the training is delivered in the classroom by experienced teachers. Many SCITT courses, but not all, include a PGCE and Masters credits (check with individual providers for more information on what they offer). You may be eligible for a tax-free bursary of up to £26,000 to support you through your SCITT course, depending on your chosen subject and degree classification. Some SCITTs will also offer School Direct courses.

School-based Training
School-based Training
School-based Training