Train to Teach with School Direct

Qualifications for Secondary Applicants

• At least a second-class honours degree. 
• Grade C/4 in GCSE English Language and Maths (or equivalent).

I graduated with a 2:2; do I qualify for the School Direct course?

Yes, we accept 2:2 and above and a third class degree is now accepted in Computer Science, Maths and Physics (providing candidates have a B grade or above at A level or an A Level Equivalent at this level).

I don’t have a GCSE C grade or above in English/Maths yet, can I apply for the course and achieve these grades before I start my course?

Yes, but you will be required to achieve this before you start the course.

If you have any queries in regards to your qualifications or feel that your qualifications do not meet the criteria we are looking for please contact Stacey Perrie - we may still be able to help you onto one of our train to teach courses.

Other Requirements

The following will be organised by our university partner:

• Health check
• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) in England and Wales
• Declaration of criminal convictions.

We are unable to support international visa applications. 

School Direct Programme

School Direct is an innovative training route which allows you to choose the school in which you train. Great Schools Trust offers salaried and non-salaried School Direct training.

The programme is a school-based training programme where you are based in one school for your training plus a work placement at another school within Great Schools Trust.  We offer secondary education courses only.

School Direct (Salaried)

School Direct (salaried) is an employment-based route for high quality graduates, typically with at least three years’ experience of transferable work history. You’ll earn a salary while you train towards your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) recommendation, and won’t need to pay any tuition fees. Unlike some School Direct training programmes at Great Schools Trust our School Direct training programmes lead to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) qualification, but not all do.

School Direct (Unsalaried)

School Direct (tuition fee) programmes allow you to learn on the job as you work towards your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) recommendation. Although your training is based in a school, we are not your employers and work closely with a partner university to support you. Unlike some School Direct training programmes at Great Schools Trust our School Direct training programmes lead to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) qualification, but not all do.

How long is the course?

Both the salaried and unsalaried courses start in September at the beginning of the academic year following an induction in late August and end during the last term of the academic year. 

What subject options are available to me? 

English, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, History, Computing, Drama/Performing Arts, Music

What are my teaching expectations?

On the non-salaried programme, we will mentor you to gradually build up your teaching solo percentage and you are never left in the classroom on your own, there will always be a qualified teacher present. For the salaried route, the teaching expectations vary according to your own experience. 

What will I get at the end of my training?

You will qualify with a PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and 60 Masters Level Credits.

Post Graduate Teaching Apprenticeship

If you are a graduate looking to enter the teaching profession and gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) within 1 year, the Teaching Apprenticeship Programme could be for you. 

Similar to School Direct (salaried) programmes, you’ll be employed directly by the school. Unlike School Direct (salaried) programmes:

• Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship programmes combine paid work with on and off-the-job training. The design of the programme has been led by a group of experienced schools and teachers, specifically for apprentices

• Apprentices will split their time between school and university study. You’ll receive practical, school-led training alongside experienced staff, and spend at least 20% of your time off-timetable to learn the pedagogy of teaching

• in addition to working towards QTS on successful completion of the course, apprentices will also complete an end-point assessment (EPA) after the summer to consolidate learning from initial teacher training

How long is the course?

You will be employed by the school for four terms during your Initial Teacher Training (ITT). After 3 terms you will achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and then complete a final assessment, known as an End-Point Assessment, to pass the apprenticeship.

What subject options are available to me? 

Secondary subjects available with Great Schools Trust are English, Maths, Chemistry, Physics and Computing

What are my teaching expectations?

For the post graduate teaching apprenticeship, the teaching expectations vary according to your own experience.  You will be responsible for your own classes.

What will I get at the end of my training?

You will qualify with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the possibility of a PGCE.

Funding

There are three types of funding available for teacher training - depending on your circumstances, you could receive all three.

Funding options include:

• Tax-free bursary or scholarship. For more information click here
• Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan
• Additional financial support if you’re a parent or have a disability

For more information, please visit www.getintoteaching.education.gov.uk

Salaried Courses

School Direct Salaried

With School Direct Salaried programmes you won’t need to pay any tuition fees. You’ll be employed by the school directly as an unqualified teacher.  The minimum salary you will be paid is scale 1 of unqualified teacher.

Post Graduate Teaching Apprenticeship

With a Post Graduate Teaching Apprenticeship, you won’t need to pay any tuition fees. You'll be employed by the school, and salaries will differ between employers. The minimum salary you will be paid is scale 1 of unqualified teacher.

How to Apply

You can apply in five easy steps:

1. Register on the ‘Get Into Teaching’ website

You’ll find a wealth of useful information on this website to help you with your application

2. Ensure you meet our eligibility criteria

3. Connect with our ITT Team

There are many ways you can get in touch with our team who are here to help and support you in your application.  One of the best ways to get to know the team is to register for one of our events.  You’ll be able to meet key contacts, talk to current students and find out everything you need to know about our courses.

4. Submit Your Application

All applicants should apply through Get into Teaching.

On this website, you can search for training programmes with the Department for Education’s ‘Find postgraduate teacher training’ service. You can search by location, training provider, and subject to find the programme that’s right for you. 

We’ve got lots of information and advice to help you complete your teacher training application, including writing your personal statement and getting references.  Simply get in touch to find out more.

5. Complete our Interview and Induction Process

You will receive an email from Great Schools Trust to confirm that we have received your application. At this point, our ITT team will review your application. If you are a suitable candidate, we will contact you to discuss your availability for one of our interviews.

Please ensure you bring relevant documentation and ID to the interview. There will be lots of opportunities for your questions and queries during the interview process.

If you are successful at the interview process, you will need to check the conditions of your offer.  Our partner university will get in contact with you regarding your enhanced DBS check. 

Great Schools Trust will invite you to our induction programme before the School Direct course starts in September.

Benefits of Training with Us 

The ability to engage with like-minded subject trainees and qualified specialists will help you to develop both your subject knowledge and pedagogy.  Enrolment in our teaching programme will provide you with access to:

• Regular mentoring by leading professionals who have secured exceptional outcomes in the role you have your sights set on
• Weekly academy CPD in addition to the training programmes for initial teacher training
• The trust’s ‘Pedagogy’ manual, peer-reviewed by teachers, with contributions from respected commentators and practitioners, offers new directions for innovative classroom practice
• The trust’s online teaching and leadership platform with access to thousands of articles, journals and papers through an online gateway presenting up-to-date research articles from research teams and practitioners across the world
• Opportunities to share in online and face-to-face communities seeking to build the profession’s capacity for research and innovation via national and regional events, activities and a directory for members wanting to collaborate in exploring specific aspects of practice.

If you choose to train to teach with Great Schools Trust you will enjoy: 

• Training days delivered at our core school which is King’s Leadership Academy in Warrington. This will be delivered by highly skilled, current practitioners who have contributed to King’s Leadership Warrington gaining Outstanding status by Ofsted.
• Training that is research-based and begins with a needs analysis so that your training will be personalised to recognise the strengths you can bring to teaching as well as meeting your needs in becoming an outstanding practitioner. 
• Our well-trained subject and school mentors will provide quality feedback to enable you to make rapid progress and put your learning into action immediately in the classroom. Initial placements will be within our Trust but this will be supplemented by an opportunity to undertake additional bespoke training in a range of secondary, and special schools and alternative provisions. 
• Commitment to supporting you to find your first teaching position either within our academy trust or outside. We aim to provide a path to leadership and we hope that our commitment to supporting you in your teacher training means that you will stay with us for support with your career as you progress within our outside of the trust

Our Students - Jamil Wali

Edge Hill University and Great Schools Trust work in partnership to enhance training, generate new research and improve life chances for pupils.

The partnership has been borne out of shared values and a dedication to improving life chances for children and young people by providing an excellent education. Our partnership is committed to using the latest research to continually improve teaching practice.

Our Lead School – King’s Leadership Academy Warrington

Classroom to Boardroom Flightpath: King’s Warrington provides a course of training that not only equips you to become an outstanding teacher within 12 months but empowers you with a multitude of career progression opportunities into subject leadership within 4 years and academy leadership within 6 years.

Exceptional Training: A training needs analysis every 7 weeks will ensure you receive fully personalised CPD that recognises your strengths as well as your needs in developing into an outstanding practitioner. A CPD mentor will align 2.5 hours of weekly CPD to your needs and aspirations.

Exceptional Support Network: You will be supported every step of the way through an expert mentoring and coaching network including both an in school professional mentor and a subject mentor whom you will meet weekly.

Exceptional Role Models: All training and professional mentoring are values-based following research-led, evidenced-based methodology, delivered by highly skilled, outstanding practitioners. Initial placements within the trust will be supplemented by opportunities to undertake additional bespoke training and visits to a range of outstanding secondary, special and alternative provision schools.

Exceptional Outcomes: We have a very successful history of Initial Teacher Education with over 30 of our staff have undertaken the School Direct Route into teaching. 100% were graded good or better by the end of their training year, and 75% achieved outstanding status. 

Secondary Placement

You will also spend one term at one of our other King’s Leadership Academies in Liverpool or Bolton to develop your experience.  

Our Academies

We know how important it is to secure your first teaching job during your training year.  This is why we offer ongoing support in landing your first role, as you work towards your QTS.

What we offer:

Training sessions with headteachers on what schools look for in potential recruits

• Mock interviews

• Support with applications

• Opportunities to meet leaders from different schools to discuss possible vacancies

• An extensive Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme for you to learn new skills as you secure your QTS

Work With Us