Starting a Teacher Training Course

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Are you thinking of training to teach?

Have you always wanted to be working in a classroom environment?

Are you looking for a change in career for the 23/24 academic year?

You may be wondering what you need to do first to get your application together. We’ve put together a few tips below on how to get your application started, what to include and also what to expect in the first few days on our teacher training course.

We offer various routes into teaching. More, specific information for each route into teaching can be found on our ‘course information’ page at https://knste-shaw.org.uk/pgce-programme/programme-information/programme-overview

We offer both a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Qualified Teacher Status (PGCE &QTS) course and also a Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) only course. The PGCE is an academic qualification that is achieved by successfully completing 4 written, masters level assignments of approximately 3000 words. Both courses will prepare you for teaching in the primary phase and will provide you will Qualified Teacher Status. We are pleased to also offer all our routes and specialisms part time to spread the training across two years.

Our specialisms are subject or phase specific and can be chosen by the applicant. We do suggest that trainees consider their specialism choice based upon previous experience, qualifications (degree, A-Level etc.) or personal interest. More information on our specialisms can be found on our website at: https://knste-shaw.org.uk/pgce-programme/programme-information/specialisms

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If you would like to apply to train to teach on our course, applications will open around October 2023 and will remain open for as long as possible. We advise that applications are submitted as soon as possible once the Apply system has opened. We have provided information on making an application to a teacher training course including how to apply and the guidance that the DfE provide to candidates when writing a personal statement https://knste-shaw.org.uk/pgce-programme/application-process/dfe-apply. You will only need to submit one application to us. If you are applying for the Flexible route, please select KNSTE. For all other specialisms, there is no difference between KNSTE and the Golden Thread Teaching School Hub (GTTSH) in terms of the programme.

Once we receive your application, we will read and review it carefully to ensure that you meet our entry requirements (https://knste-shaw.org.uk/pgce-programme/application-process/entry-conditions) and that your personal statement illustrates that you share our passion and commitment to the transformative power of primary education. If you are successful, we will then invite you for an interview day. The morning will be on Microsoft Teams and the afternoon will be held in one of our partnership schools. You will be given all the information about the interview school and how to prepare well in advance of the interview to enable you to plan your journey. Following the interview, we will let interviewees know if we are in a position to offer you a place very promptly. You will then have some time to make your choice as to which provider you feel best suits you. Of course, we hope that it is us!

All of our trainees (flex and full time) have now started on their course. This time of the year is busy as we are making sure that all trainees have the correct documentation completed ready for enrolment. Our trainees have been in for a few days to complete their Safeguarding and essential training. This week our trainees are starting in their school placement. On our course, we arrange for placements to start on the first day of the school term. This is so our trainees can experience the first day in school with their General Mentor. Don’t forget, this time next year it could be you starting the September term with your new class!

Looking forward to the next phase of the course. We are really looking forward to our trainees being back in the bungalow for the “SCITT fortnight”. We have a two-week period in which the trainees are at our base to get started on their specialisms, get to know their mentor and their peers and to begin introductory sessions in various curriculum areas.