School Choice

School Choice is a route into teacher training, which allow schools or groups of schools to take a leading role in ITT provision, in partnership with an accredited provider. It is underpinned by a belief that schools can improve the system by creating more school led training, that best meets the needs of schools and trainees. This is a programme where schools recruit trainees directly and select them to work within their partnership of schools. This training route allows you to choose the school in which you train with an expectation, but no absolute guarantee, of employment once you finish.

If you prefer to spend more time training in the classroom, putting theory into practice and gaining confidence through increased contact with the school environment, then this programme could be a good option for you.

The scheme normally runs for a year (although part time opportunities might be available). Successfully completing the scheme means qualified teacher status (QTS), and a PGCE.

If your degree subject doesn't link closely to your chosen teaching subject, you may still be able to apply for a training programme by undertaking a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course. Your chosen provider may ask you to take an SKE course as a condition of your offer, before you start your initial teacher training programme.

In order to help tailor training to your skills and experience, there are two separate training options:

Tuition Training Programme – is available to high-quality graduates and is funded by tuition fees paid by the trainee. You may be eligible for a bursary of up to £30,000 to support you while you train. This training programmes allow you to learn on the job as you work towards your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) recommendation. This non-salaried route is run by a school, or group of schools, that work closely with a university or school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) consortium that certifies successful trainees. You’ll be based in a school, but will also be taught by the university, college, or SCITT that the school partners with.

Salaried Training Programme - is an employment based route available to high quality graduates with at least three years career experience who will earn a salary whilst you train towards your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) recommendation, and won’t need to pay any tuition fees. You will be employed as an unqualified teacher while you learn on the job.

• High priority: physics, maths, computer science, chemistry, modern languages.
• Other priority: biology, design and technology, English, geography, primary – FS/KS1, primary – general.
• Other subjects: art and design, combined science, dance, PE, religious education.

Apprenticeship Training Programme - another option is a Level 6 Teaching Apprenticeship programme which is a nationally-recognised, work-based route into teaching. You will work towards attaining a qualified teacher status and be employed by the school while you learn on the job. Similar to the salaried programmes, you’ll be employed directly by the school.

Unlike 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 .