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 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. 

Learning on the job
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. Our course 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
The programme is designed to allow potential teachers the opportunity to observe best practice in the classroom, engage with theoretical underpinning for our teaching and to build the confidence and skills to underpin these themselves. Ensuring trainees have high-skilled mentors who inspire and challenge in equal measure is the key to their success. 

Support
Students receive intensive career support from our highly experienced teachers and mentors. The principles of academic rigour on our course 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 Get into Teaching 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.