Secondary Route

For 2024-25, ALL our secondary teacher training courses will be unsalaried (tuition fee route) and include a PGCE with Masters level credits (up to 60 credits) and QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) on completion.

In October 2021, The Department for Education launched its new GOV.UK service, Apply for teacher training.   It is now the only digital service for candidates to apply for postgraduate teacher training courses in England, replacing the UCAS Teacher Training service.

You can view our full range of school direct courses by visiting the Find postgraduate teacher training service

Unsalaried courses (also known as Tuition fee route)

Some unsalaried courses have access to DfE bursaries; some of which are substantial. The subject bursaries offered by the DfE change each year, please visit the funding your training page on the Get into Teaching website for more details . Where bursary levels are high (e.g. £24,000 or above) the unsalaried courses are likely to have similar financial advantages to a salaried course. Unsalaried courses have equal academic and classroom-based foci. ‘Student-facing’ teaching time is limited to 40% of a qualified full-time teacher’s timetable.

ALL potential candidates will be expected to be in possession of the following:

  • A UK undergraduate degree or a recognised equivalent qualification at 2.2 or above in a relevant subject.

  • GCSE level 4 or above in English Language and Mathematics.

  • A strong understanding of the subject you wish to teach.

Personal Qualities

Applicants must provide evidence of:

  • An interest in working with young people
  • High quality communication skills

  • Strong subject knowledge

  • Confident numeracy and literacy skills
  • Analytical thinking

  • Personal qualities such as warmth, enthusiasm, self-motivation and resilience

Interview process

Short listed applicants will be invited for interview on the basis of the information provided in their application form. All applicants will be interviewed by the lead school – Alexandra Park School.

Interviews will be conducted using Zoom and are approximately 45mins in duration.  The interview will typically include:

  • A presentation about the subject you are applying to teach

  • A numeracy, literacy and subject related pre-interview activity

  • A panel interview (which will include at least one subject specialist)

If you are successful at the school interview you will be recommended to the University provider. The University will conduct a second interview focusing on your subject knowledge.

Successful applicants will receive:

  • A well-planned induction day to welcome you and help you settle in
  • Experienced and approachable subject mentors
  • A school centred approach; providing practical, classroom-based training
  • Weekly professional studies sessions with your fellow trainees
  • An ‘open door’ policy to allow you to observe qualified teachers throughout your placement
  • Structured classroom observations to help you to develop your skills
  • A phased introduction to small group teaching, team teaching and then whole class teaching to allow you to gradually build your confidence
  • Assessment across the academic year against the Teachers’ Standards
  • Bespoke weekly targets to ensure all the Teachers’ Standards are met by the end of the course
  • Trainee socials and networking events

  • Job application support and mock interviews

Applications for teacher training courses starting in September 2024 are open.

Please visit the Get Into Teaching website for more details on how to become a teacher.