How To Apply

Please click here to go to the DfE Teacher Training website to apply for a postgraduate teacher training course. All applications should be made through the DfE website.

For further guidance from UCAS regarding becoming a teacher and finding training programmes, please visit their website here. 

 

Please see below the guidance that the DfE give to candidates when writing a personal statement: 

  • What inspired you to apply
  • The personal qualities that would make you a good teacher
  • Any experience you have working with children and what you learnt
  • Your understanding of the demands and rewards of teaching
  • How you could contribute to a school outside of the classroom - for example, running extra-curricular activities and clubs
  • Your thoughts on children's wellbeing and the education system
  • Degree and degree modules (relating to specialism)
  • Skills, interests or achievements
  • Understanding of the national curriculum

 

KNSTE is the provider that acts on behalf of a large partnership of schools across Stoke-on- Trent and Staffordshire. This includes the Golden Thread Teaching School Hub (GTTSH) (https://www.goldenthreadtsh.co.uk/). You need only submit one application to us so if you are electing for the Flexible or SEND routes please select KNSTE: for all other specialisms there is no difference between KNSTE and GTTSH in terms of the programme.

Once we receive your application, we will read and review it carefully to assure ourselves that you meet our entry requirements (have a look at the information on the Entry conditions page) and that your personal statement illustrates that you share our passion and commitment to the transformative power of primary education. We recommend that you read and consider our ‘what are we looking for’ tab.

If you are successful, we will then invite you for an interview day, the morning will be hosted on Zoom and the afternoon will be held in one of our partnership schools. Our partner schools are all within easy traveling distance and you will be given the information about where the interviewing school is well in advance of the interview day to enable you to plan your journey.

We will let you know whether or not we are in a position to offer you a place very promptly following your interview day. 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!

Can we remind you that early application is desirable. DfE Apply opens in October and allows applicants to choose up to 3 training programmes at a time. Once applications are processed and received Training providers will have 40 working days to decide if they want to interview a candidate and offer them a place post interview or to decide if an applicant is unsuccessful. Successful applicants then have 10 working days from when they have heard from their final provider in which to accept or reject an offers of a places. Please check the DfE website for updates to this information and the application process.

 

DfE Apply

We welcome applications from candidates via the DfE Apply system. Please click here to go to the DfE Teacher Training website to apply for a teacher training course.

Applicants need to provide details of two referees; DfE Apply obtains each reference as part of the application process. If you are still at university, or gained a degree within the last five years:

  • One reference must be from someone at your university who can comment on your academic ability and potential as a teacher.
  • The other reference can be from someone who knows you from work or can comment on your character and potential to be a teacher.

If you left university more than five years ago, you can choose two referees who know you from work or can comment on how suitable you are for teaching. You can still use an academic referee if you think it is suitable.

Once the application has been received and processed by DfE Apply, it is made available online for training providers to consider.

 

Fraudulent Applications

All applications are checked against the DfE Apply database for fraud, and personal statements are vetted through their similarity detection device. If you omit any compulsory information we reserve the right to withdraw or amend our offer.

An Enhanced Disclosure Check is required for entry into initial teacher education and training. DfE Apply asks applicants to confirm that they agree to a check by the UK Disclosure and Barring Service. The application also requires applicants to disclose any spent or unspent convictions or any past criminal activities.