School Direct

School Direct is a Government initiative providing school-led teacher training in close collaboration with universities, with the expectation that employment will be secured in training schools. These routes are offered in both Primary and Secondary Education. 

Search for the full list of Postgraduate Teacher Training routes in Primary and Secondary Education (only) via the new Department for Education 'Find Postgraduate Teacher Training' service.  You can search courses/routes by us as a provider and subject.

School Direct programmes

There are two different School Direct programmes which lead to recommendation to Department for Education for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) that we offer:

The School Direct Tuition (PGCE) route is for graduates who are looking to secure training at a specific partnership school whilst following a PGCE programme. This route allows you to apply to one of our partnership schools who will organise your placements and provides University and school-based training. Successful completion of this route will lead to recommendation for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), along with 60 credits at Master’s level. that can be used towards our Masters degree in education. Trainees are responsible for tuition fees and are entitled to bursaries and student loans.

The School Direct Salaried route is for graduates and ideally suited to career changers. This route allows you to apply to one of our partnership schools for your training year, where you will be employed as a full-time member of staff, subject to employment regulations and attend training sessions with theoretical underpinning. Whilst training you will usually receive, from your employing school an unqualified teacher's salary. Successful completion of this route will lead to recommendation for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), along with 20 credits at Master’s level that can be used towards our Masters degree in education.

“The quality of training reflects the strengths of the partnership and how the relevant expertise of mentors and tutors is deployed skilfully”. (Ofsted, 2013)

Centre-based teacher training takes place at the Institute of Education, Walsall campus, with some specialist sessions taking place at partner schools. 

School-based teacher training takes place at one of our partnership schools. This includes schools located in the following areas:

Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Wolverhampton and Walsall.

Come along to one of our Postgraduate Open Evenings where you will have the opportunity to talk to staff and students who are currently studying and find out more about the course and our facilities. 

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