Get into Teaching
School-led Training
The two local providers, Sussex University and The University of Brighton offer training based in a school where you can be fully immersed in the life of a teacher from day one. You're selected by the school and are based their during your training. You will also spend time in at least one other school to gain the broad experience required to become a qualified teacher.
All school-led courses cover the practical and theoretical elements of teaching, often with university partners. Most school-led courses lead to a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) and/or master's-level credits, in addition to qualified teacher status (QTS).
This pathway at The University of Brighton is called ‘Brighton School Connect.’
This pathway at Sussex University is called ‘Sussex School Choice.’
You can apply for available vacancies. See list of schools below.
School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)
East Sussex run a SCITT to train mainly primary students but also some secondary places.
More information can be found at http://czone.eastsussex.gov.uk/sites/gtp/pages/informationforapplicants.aspx
Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE)
If you are interested in teaching Maths, Physics, Languages, Chemistry, Computing, Biology, Geography, English, Design and Technology and Primary Maths, and have a related degree, both our partners universities offer SKEs.These are short courses to bring your subject knowledge up to scratch. Contact us and we can explain the options.
Taster Visits
If you would like to get the feel of what teaching is like today we can arrange short placements at Willingdon with relevant departments at times to suit you. Alternatively we can put you in contact with our partner schools to arrange a visit.
What do I do next?
Eastbourne Area School Direct Alliance trains teachers through both routes. The first step is to approach a school to find out what the job entails and what course might suit you best. We can provide guidance for both Primary and Secondary routes. If you would like to find out more contact Paul Holt on 01323 485254 or e mail - schooldirect@willingdonschool.org.uk
Sussex School Choice PGCE
School Choice PGCE 2024/25 onwards | ||
Qualified Teacher Status and PGCE | ||
Programme | Full time or part time Full time – four days in school, one day at university (Fridays) Part time – two days in school, one day at university (Fridays) over two years 2 or 3 week intensive induction at the university 4 weeks Intensive Training and Practice weeks | |
Recruitment | School recruits (with an interview by the university) Safeguarding checks, health checks and DBS undertaken by the University | |
Placements | One long placement and one shorter placement
Placement 1 Last week of September to third week of March. Placement 2: Fourth week of March to end of June
| Secondary PGCE:
Placement 1 Last week of September to February half term Placement 2 (organised by the Lead School and school partners): February to Easter Placement 1: Easter to the end of June |
Teaching hours | Placement 1: 8 hours a week (gradual build) Placement 2: moving from 8 – 16 lessons a week (or 80% of their Mentor’s timetable in the last 6 weeks of P2) | |
Additional hours | Placement 1: 7 hours a week made up of observation, duties, tutor time, TAing, enrichment activities Placement 2: 4 hours a week made up of observation, duties, tutor time, leading intervention groups, enrichment activities | |
Tuition fee | Trainee pays £9250 fee to the University Bursaries and scholarship if eligible https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-initial-teacher-training-itt/funding-initial-teacher-training-itt-academic-year-2024-to-2025 Student Finance UK | |
What is the model for training?
The alliance will deliver all training in conjunction with the Universities of Brighton and Sussex and a range of other partners.
The focus of training will be school and classroom based with the support of experienced teachers and a programme of professional development delivered by the universities, not too dissimilar to that of the PGCE. The alliance will also deliver a range of special, focused training days, delivered by outstanding practitioners based in the schools, which will bring all the alliance trainees together to share their experiences and learn from each other.
What are the entry criteria?
• UK university degree indicated on UCAS site or a recognised equivalent qualification, relevant to your proposed subject area.
• Grade C or above in GCSE English and Mathematics. Successful candidates will have had to have passed a Functional English and Mathematics test. Primary candidates will also require at least a grade C in GCSE Science.
• You will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check to verify your suitability for working with young people. The alliance places great emphasis on safeguarding.
• Undertaking a short classroom type teaching task and showing an awareness of the curriculum and school life is part of our interview process, so candidates may wish to prepare themselves by spending some time in an appropriate school setting for the subject/phase they intend to teach beforehand.
Bursaries and Scholarships
For details of the range of funding support available, please contact DFE direct http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching.