What are the routes into teaching?

School-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) is a programme for graduates, run by and based in schools.

All SCITT courses lead to qualified teacher status (QTS). As an accredited provider we offer CORE training in a range of subjects.

Or you can apply to the School Direct Training Programme. With School Direct you are selected by one of our Alliance Schools from day one. The school will have a job in mind just for you and you will receive financial support throughout your training. Successful completion of the programme will lead to the award of qualified teacher status (QTS).

There are two separate School Direct training options:

• School Direct Training Programme (tuition) is for high-quality graduates who want to be part of a school team from day one. You may be eligible for a bursary of up to £27,000 to support you while you train.
• School Direct Training Programme (salaried) is an employment-based route for high-quality experienced graduates with at least three years’ work experience.  You will earn a salary while you train.

Apprenticeship Programme
The new apprenticeship programme which involves a combination of classroom teacher, practical learning and a salary.  This is a unique way of funding your training and it will support you financially through the programme.  In addition, you’ll be required to undertake an end-point assessment (EPA) in the final term to ensure you’re on track to be an effective newly qualified teacher.

PE with EBacc Subject
We are offering places to train in PE along with an EBacc subject. To be eligible to apply you need to have a degree in PE or sports related subject area and you will also need an A level at grade C or above in the EBacc subject you would like to train to teach in. We are particularly looking for candidates who have an A level in history, maths, English or science. You will also need to complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course prior to starting the course in the EBacc subject you will be training to teach.  The SKE course will be fully funded and you could receive a government bursary whilst completing it.  Places for PE with EBacc subject are limited, therefore, we recommend you apply as soon as possible.

Main features of the provision
Our course provides the best of both works combining relevant up to date central training sessions with a high percentage of time spent developing those essential skills where it counts….. in the classroom.  Central training sessions are held in a partnership school where trainees will receive theoretical sessions covering both specialist subject knowledge and professional themes.

An additional feature of our course is the emphasis which we place on the knowledge of Special Educational Needs.  Through our own research, it is evident that this is an element of ITT which is frequently neglected by many providers.  At best they offer their trainees with one or two instructional sessions which is hardly sufficient given the number of children with special educational needs whom we encounter daily within main stream classrooms.  We deliver a minimum of 24 hours central training on SEN to all our trainees and then facilitate the deployment of this knowledge during school diversity placements when trainees will be able to experience, observe and participate in the teaching of children with SEN within a specialist environment.  Our programme is flexible enough to be able to offer a small group of trainees the option to undertake an SEN specialism; it is anticipated that these trainees will have made a conscious decision to pursue a career within Special Education.

In summary the Basingstoke Alliance SCITT offers trainees the opportunity to:

• undertake exceptional training lead by current excellent practitioners
• become familiar with schools and colleagues across the town
• gain first access to available appointments across the town
• develop a SEN specialism which will provide an excellent knowledge base for employment both in mainstream and special school environments be party to an ‘all through’ two year training programme including attendance at NQT residential conference, if they are appointed to an Alliance School.
• obtain Outdoor Leader qualification.
• attend awards ceremony when celebrating QTS achievement.

“School Direct offers the experience of a school from the start, making teaching a far less daunting prospect.”

“You are able to embed yourself into the school more than you would on a traditional placement, and therefore build stronger relationships with pupils and teachers that will help to improve your teaching.”

“This sense of belonging is something which underpins the School Direct experience.  As a School Direct trainee, I have access to the full spectrum of school life.  At a basic level, this means that I attend meetings, assist with a form, perform duties, and teach classes.  On a training level, however, this means that I have access to a whole range of opportunities for professional development which I can use to enhance my training experience and my future employability.”

School Direct Tuition
route is for high-quality graduates who want to be part of a school team from day one.  You may be eligible for a bursary of up to £27,000 to support you while you train (depending on subject and quality of degree).  If you have a degree but less than three years’ full time work experience, you could apply for the School Direct (tuition) route.  In this route, you would pay for the course through student loans in the same way that you funded your degree.

School Direct (salaried) Training Programme
(salaried) is an employment-based route for high-quality experienced graduates with at least three years’ work experience.  You will earn a salary while you train.  By taking the School Direct (salaried) route you will already have a good degree and three years of full time experience in the workplace . If you are successful with your application for a place at one of our schools, they would employ you as an unqualified teacher for the duration of the course.  You would pay no fees.

What does the training look like?
NB The structure and training is exactly the same as you would experience as a core trainee.  Refer to Core Training and Assessment Process tab for further details.

Expectation to employ
If you complete either of the two School Direct routes, there is then an expectation that you will be employed by either your main school or by one of the schools from across the partnership.

Partnership Schools
To see a full list of our partnership schools click here

The Basingstoke Alliance SCITT also offers the opportunity to train to teach with a SEN specialism.  Trainees who pursue this option will have their main placement (autumn and summer term) in a secondary special school with their contrasting experience in a secondary mainstream context.

This will enable them to gain first-hand experience in teaching children with SEN within a specialist environment.

The school’s professional themes programme will provide trainees with an opportunity to develop further their knowledge and application of effective teaching and learning of children with SEN.  Applicants interested in pursuing this route should indicate this in their letter of application.

Dove House School Academy Trust and Baycroft School provide the SEN placement schools.

Dove House is an 11-19 Moderate Learning Difficulties school (MLD) in Basingstoke, Hampshire.  We provide an outstanding education for over 200 students with SEN.

Student’s needs are wide ranging and include autistic spectrum conditions, social communication needs, developmental delays and physical disabilities.

We follow the National Curriculum and all students work towards national qualifications. Our staff team is outstanding and provide expertise, knowledge, care and support that lead to aspirational outcomes for all students.

We are the lead school in the BASCITT and as such provide a unique insight into the teaching of SEN onto the course.

SAFEGUARDING

The Basingstoke Alliance SCITT together with Dove House School Academy (lead school) and its partnership schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all trainees and staff to share this commitment.  We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices also reflect this commitment and at least one member of the interview panel will be Safer Recruitment trained.  All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks that may also include an online search along with our relevant compliancy checks.