Course Details
A one year ‘school-based’ programme involving teacher training in two of our alliance schools and short academic blocks of study held in schools across Surrey. The course offers a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with Qualified Teaching Status (QTS), or students have the option to undertake a QTS-only route into teaching, if preferred.
Course codes:
PGCE with QTS - X360
QTS only - W281
Course fees:
PGCE plus QTS: £9,250
QTS only route: £7,200
Candidates in need of financial support are invited to apply for a means-tested Trust bursary of £500-£5000. The application process will be discussed at interview.
What is School Direct?
A School Direct course allows you to train in a school of your choice in conjunction with a university provider. The St Polycarp’s Educational Partnership is privileged to work with a group of schools who are invested in training the next generation of teachers. During the course, the majority of your training is in school, complemented by time spent in seminars. This allows the opportunity to underpin your classroom practice with the necessary educational theory. The School Direct teacher training route is a popular choice for those who hope to secure a role in the network of schools where they train.
Due to limited salaried places and the changes to DfE funding, we recommend that those applicants wishing to secure a salary whilst training, discuss this with a school of their choice before applying to us.
The programme
You get the best of both worlds! You will receive intensive support from the St Polycarp's Educational Partnership and your teaching colleagues as well as learning from subject experts who are leading the way in education. The programme commences in September 2023. You will train at two of our partner schools, across a range of age groups, to ensure a broad and diverse experience. The programme timetable is designed to ensure that academic studies take place in short block periods enabling the focus to be on classroom practice and opportunities to fine tune your skills.
Support
Students receive intensive career support from our highly experienced teachers and mentors. The principles of academic rigour on School Direct are the same as on university-led courses. Students are equally eligible for a training bursary or scholarship and can apply for the same financial support, such as student loans.
A choice of training schools
We believe that your choice of placement school is pivotal to the progress you will make on the course and you will have the opportunity to work with us or one of our exemplary partner schools. There are several options during the one year programme, please state your preferred schools from the DfE APPLY page when applying. If you have a specific school in mind that is not part of the St Polycarp’s Educational Partnership, we will do everything possible to secure part of your training in that school. Contact us and we will endeavour to put the necessary arrangements in place.
