PGCE QTS Primary Education (School Direct Route)

• Overview

  We are the Initial Teacher Training provider for a diverse and innovative group of Lead Schools and their Alliance schools in Northamptonshire and its surrounding counties, supporting the delivery of PGCE QTS programmes through the School Direct route. The PGCE QTS course is the same for those on a University place or School Direct place.

  Find out more about School Direct and how to apply.

  If you would like to apply for a School Direct place for training to teach in 2020-21, then you will need to consider which route will be most suitable and which will be available with different Lead Schools. There are two routes for School Direct applicants; Salaried or Training.

  Course

  Highlights

  • Study with a top 25% institution for Initial Teacher Training.
  • Salaried route available.
  • Extensive School Experience Library.

  Open Days

  
• Course Details

  The PGCE courses focuses on the priorities of the Primary National Curriculum and national priorities. You will learn how to teach, how to lead and you will develop your subject knowledge to give you confidence and competence in the classroom.

  Through this course, you will develop into a highly committed, creative and reflective teacher with Qualified Teacher Status. Teaching is a practical skill, so you will spend a substantial part of your course in school-based Placements in schools within the Lead School alliance. During School based days, you are expected to be in school between 8.15am and 4.30pm. There are three assessed Placements which will give you full experience of a range of educational contexts.

  Alongside your placements, there are two Masters’ level modules, Teaching Learning and Assessment, and Professional Studies. These modules are worth 60 credits at Masters’ level and can contribute to the MA in Education.

  You will have a trained mentor in each school-based Placement and a Personal Academic Tutor at the University to support your professional development.

  Assessments

  Assessment is continuous. You will engage in assignments which will contribute towards your Master’s Level Modules. Your teaching, including planning and assessment, will be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards. Partner schools share the responsibility for assessment during the practical teaching.

  Methods of Learning

  To get the most out of your course there are face to face, online and off-site Learning Events which enable you to reflect and act on University and School based learning. Throughout the course you will have time for independent and peer assisted learning and you will be taught by a range of expert tutors and mentors.

  Schedule

  Your course consists of University and School based learning. You will be in school for at least 120 days. University based days are normally between 9am and 5pm and school based days will vary according to the requirements of the school.

  The School Direct (Salaried) route

  You will be employed by one of the Lead Schools or their Alliance schools and receive a salary while you train to become a teacher. This programme will lead to Postgraduate Certificate of Education or Professional Graduate Certificate of Education with recommendation for QTS.

  The School Direct (Training) Programme

  You will be based for a large part of your training in one of the Lead Schools or their Alliance schools but you will pay fees for the training programme. This programme will lead to Postgraduate Certificate or Professional Graduate Certificate with QTS. Please contact study@northampton.ac.uk for further details.

  This course is for graduates who are interested in a career in teaching. You will be trained to teach Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 (children aged five to 11 years). At the end of the course you will be recommended for QTS**, allowing you to teach anywhere in the country, and you will also have 60 credits at Masters’ level.

  You will develop the skills, knowledge and understanding that you need to demonstrate the professional standards for teaching required by the Department for Education and exceed the minimum expectations for each Standard. We are committed to ensuring you are graded as a ‘Good’ teacher who will be able to make a significant difference to the lives of all children.

  The University of Northampton will be working with the following Lead Schools in 2020-21. Primary refers to 5-11

  • Brooke Weston Academy
  • Hall Meadow Primary
  • Sir Christopher Hatton School
  • Upton Meadows Primary School
  • Wollaston Primary School
  • The David Ross Education Trust

  Read more

  Additional

  Information

  Work Experience

  We work in partnership with schools across Northamptonshire, its neighbouring counties and many schools across the country. This enables you to learn in range of schools. The Lead School will organise the placements which are confirmed by the University.

• Careers and Events
  • Open Days

    Come Say Hello

    Our Open Days offer you a fantastic opportunity to get a real taste of university life at Northampton and discover how studying here will be a life-changing experience.

    Each Open Day has a packed programme of subjects talks, advice sessions and activities designed to give you all the information you need about studying with us.

    To find out more about the day, please feel free to have a look at our Open Day Guide.

    
  • Careers

    Career Opportunities

    You will be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status which is presently nationally recognised as the professional qualification for teachers. You will be assessed in teaching the 5 to 11 age range, thus giving you access to a teaching career in Key Stage One or Key Stage Two.

    
• Requirements

  You must hold an honours degree from a UK University (or equivalent) and whenever possible the classification should be a 2:1 or First.  It is considered that you will benefit from school experience before the course starts.

  These places are aimed mainly at graduates with three or more years’ work experience.

  When applying for a salaried position, it is desirable for you to have had a period of relevant experience of working with children.

  You will need to have a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or above and these must include Mathematics, English Language and Science. You must have these before applying. You must be interviewed and we will explore your suitability for teaching including undertaking DBS.

  If you have a GCSE Double Award in Science you must have a grade CC/44 or above.

  There will be a new approach for assessing the fundamental skills of prospective teachers in maths and English, these approaches will replace the existing skills tests. For those trainees who are applying to enrol on to a teacher training programme after the 1st April 2020, teacher training providers must provide assurance that trainees have these skills. It is the trainee’s responsibility to secure these fundamental skills, responsibility for assurance lies with the ITT provider.

  For more information on how to apply for this course please visit our How to Apply page.

   

  Contacts

  Course enquiries
  study@northampton.ac.uk

  Application status enquiries
  admissions2020@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

  Enquire online
  Online enquiry form

  Applying for 2020
  Facebook Applicant Group

  Office hours:
  Mon – Thu: 9am – 5pm
  Fri: 9am – 4.30pm

  Phone Call

  0300 303 2772

  +44 (0)1604 892134

  +44 (0)1604 892546

• Course Content
  • Level 7

  • Placement 1 Primary Education 5-11 (20 Credits)
    Module code: ITT3051P

    Core Module Y
  • Placement 2 Primary Education 5-11 (20 Credits)
    Module code: ITT3052P

    Core Module Y
  • Placement 3 Primary Education 5-11 (20 Credits)
    Module code: ITT3053P

    Core Module Y
  • Teaching, Learning and Assessment (30 Credits)
    Module code: ITTM003

    Core Module Y
  • Professional Studies (30 Credits)
    Module code: ITTM004

    Core Module Y

  Facilities &

  Special Features

  We have an extensive School Experience Library which you will have access to use. It is made up of resources specifically for trainee teachers, to support you in your placements. You will be able to borrow activities, planning materials, puppets, games and large books for story time, among many other things.

  “The quality of training is enhanced by the excellent resources at the University” (Ofsted 2014).

• Further Studies
  • Postgraduate Opportunities

    See your Options

    We have many postgraduate courses  available, that are a great way to enhance the skills you have already learnt. Take a look at some of the other Postgraduate Education courses we have available.

    Education MA

    Primary / Early Years / Secondary PGCE Top-Up

    Special Educational Needs and Inclusion MA

    
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    Visit our Research Hub page for more information.

    
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    We are committed to supporting and encouraging business growth and we are involved in a variety of initiatives which seek to benefit the wider community as well as students and staff of the University.

    Discover what businesses we work with and what opportunities may be available to you on our Business and Enterprise pages.

    
• Fees & Funding
  • UK & EU

  20/21 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 20/21 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  School Direct Salaried trainees are employed by a school and receive a salary.

  School Direct Training Programme trainees pay fees (£9,250).

  Please note the School Direct salaried course is not eligible for student support from the Student Loans Company.

  Additional costs
  There will be additional costs for travel to placements, optional visits within modules, and paper based materials for recording and storage of evidence. We provide financial support for your placement travel costs according to the annually reviewed process.

  19/20 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 19/20 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  School Direct Salaried trainees are employed by a school and receive a salary.

  School Direct Training Programme trainees pay fees (£9,250).

  Please note the School Direct salaried course is not eligible for student support from the Student Loans Company.

  Additional costs
  There will be additional costs for travel to placements, optional visits within modules, and paper based materials for recording and storage of evidence. We provide financial support for your placement travel costs according to the annually reviewed process.

*Course data provided by Unistats