Initial Teacher Training
Hastings and Rother Teaching School Alliance and St Richard’s Catholic College have a long pedigree of training teachers. We provide a closely supported training programme which includes a personal subject mentor, Professional Studies sessions with a Professional Tutor, a personalised timetable to develop both subject and pastoral skills and day release to University for curriculum knowledge and the opportunity to reflect on your practice. Our trainees quickly become immersed in the life of the school and have discovered it to be a supportive and vibrant community.
The University of Sussex remains open for Initial Teacher Training applications and their interviews will take place remotely. Please find further application information here: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/education/ite
The University of Brighton also remains open for applications on its various routes and further information is available here: https://www.brighton.ac.uk/about-us/contact-us/academic-departments/school-of-education.aspx
School Direct Case Study
My time at St Richard’s Catholic College began as a TA, where I was made to feel welcome and settled in quickly. Watching some inspiring teaching and amazing student progress at the school, I knew straight away that I would like to be a teacher and when the last minute opportunity arose for me to apply for the position of Student Drama Teacher, I jumped at the chance! Juggling the pressures of home-life (I have 4 children) and school can be tricky, but I know that this experience will give us all a brighter future. Balancing lesson planning, reading and university work is a real challenge, but my mentor is amazing, she has an un-ending knowledge of plays, drama theorists and techniques and although the Drama department is extremely busy, she always finds time to explain things in a way I will understand. In addition, my Professional Tutor and Sussex University have helped me to identify and overcome some specific barriers to my own learning, this support has been invaluable. I am looking forward to the rest of my time on the course and I will be very sad to leave St Richard’s Catholic College at the end of the course.
Frankie Grant, Drama School Direct
Become a teacher and inspire the next generation
If you will shortly be graduating or already hold a degree come to a Train to Teach event https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/teaching-events/train-to-teach-events
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/education/ite/meetus
Find out about postgraduate routes into teaching:
- PGCE primary, secondary and Further Education and Training
- School Direct Training and School Direct Salaried
- Early Years Initial Teacher Training
- Apprenticeships (click here for more information)
Meet course tutors from both universities and discuss vacancies with their School Direct partners. Plus learn about training bursaries and scholarships worth up to £30,000.
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Making Futures – Get Into Teaching
Initial Teacher Training
What is School Direct?
School Direct is a programme where schools recruit trainees directly and select them to train and work within their partnership of schools. Schools therefore have more control over the quality of training that is provided and how it is delivered. We guarantee an interview for any relevant post in a partnership school for those on the programme with us.
What are the routes?
There are two routes into School Direct: salaried and non-salaried. The salaried route is aimed at graduates with at least three years’ work experience and is an employment based route into teaching. The non-salaried route is open to all graduates funded by tuition fees paid by the graduate. Our School Direct trainees will lead to gaining a PGCE in conjunction with an outstanding University partner.
Please visit http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding/postgraduate-funding.aspx for further funding information.
The training fee for these places is £9,000.
We believe this is a successful, innovative and vibrant partnership to work with. We also have a wide range of links with other schools who can accept placements from our partnership. We have a particular commitment to supporting and developing teachers interested in working in faith schools.
Applications close in July 2023 and places are available for applications via DFE apply from October 2022. Find our availability of places across primary and secondary here: https://www.gov.uk/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses.
What kind of training can we offer you?
The model for training that we will follow will be primarily focused on training in the classroom as well as having regular focused training days delivered through the University of Sussex or the University of Brighton. We also believe it is important to be an innovative environment where you are supported and challenged to reach your potential professionally.
St Richard’s, as the lead school, or your placement school will be delivering all training in conjunction with the Universities and other key partners.
What are the entry criteria?
- UK university degree or a recognised equivalent qualification.
- Grade C or above in GCSE English Language and Mathematics.
- You will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check to verify your suitability for working with young people.
- It is preferred that you have had some time observing in schools
Bursaries and Scholarships
Bursaries are available in a range of subject areas:
Please visit http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding/postgraduate-funding.aspx for further information.
How to apply?
You will initially apply online through DFE Apply who will then make the application available to us. We will then lead the recruitment process with our partner school and university. Places are offered following a successful interview process. Please read the criteria fully to ensure eligibility.
If you have any further enquiries please contact Mrs Lis Wood mrswoode@strichardscc.com
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AN INTEREST.
The Interview process
If successful, an application day will be held for all subject areas consisting of an interview, teaching activity and discussion activity to assess your suitability and commitment to the teaching profession. This may take place at the University or in a school.
You will need to bring original certificates of your degree and GCSE qualifications with you to the interview.
We believe that teaching is really special and a wonderful, rewarding career, and we hope that you will make the choice to join us at the start of your career. We believe the opportunity to train through School Direct is exceptional and the group of schools and University we are working with will provide you with an excellent experience to prepare you to develop as an outstanding teacher and future leader.
We will look forward to meeting you in the future.
Miss D Cronin
Principal
Click on the buttons below to download the ‘Thinking of Teaching’ presentation.