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 2018-19, 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 8.20am and 4pm. There are three assessed Placements, and the opportunity for a self-organised placement in an alternative setting. This 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 2019-20. Applicants will be able to apply in late October via UCAS. Primary refers to 5-11

  Abington Vale Primary – Primary  (training and salaried)
  Brooke Weston Academy – Primary (training)
  Glenhills Primary School – Primary (training)
  Hall Meadow / Inspire Northamptonshire – Hall Meadow Primary (training and salaried)
  Northampton School for Boys – Primary (training)
  Sir Christopher Hatton Academy – Primary (training)
  The David Ross Education Trust – Primary (training)
  Upton Meadow Primary School – Primary  (training)
  Wollaston Community Primary School – Primary (training)

  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. There are also opportunities for placements in Special Educational Needs (SEN) settings. 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 OR 3-7 age range, thus giving you access to a teaching career in EYFS, Key Stage One or Key Stage Two.

    **The present title Qualified Teacher Status QTS is subject to change due to an ongoing government consultation at the time of going to press. For the latest information, please visit the DfE website.

    
• 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.

  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
  admissions2019@northampton.ac.uk

  Current student enquiries
  SID@northampton.ac.uk

  International student enquiries
  international@northampton.ac.uk

  Enquire online
  Online enquiry form

  Applying for 2019
  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

  • Professional Studies (20 Credits)
    Module code: ITT3033

    Core Module Y
  • Core: English and Mathematics (30 Credits)
    Module code: ITT3034

    Core Module Y
  • Science and Technology (10 Credits)
    Module code: ITT3035

    Core Module Y
  • Foundation (Wider Curriculum) (20 Credits)
    Module code: ITT3036

    Core Module Y
  • School Experience 1 Primary (20 Credits)
    Module code: ITT3037P

    Core Module Y
  • School Experience 2 Primary (20 Credits)
    Module code: ITT3038P

    Core Module Y
  • Autobiographical Educational Experience, Theories and Professional Practice (30 Credits)
    Module code: ITTM001

    Core Module Y
  • PGCE School Experience Research Project (30 Credits)
    Module code: ITTM002

    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

    
  • Research

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    Visit our Research Hub page for more information.

    
  • Business and Enterprise

    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

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 18/19 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