If you are thinking about teaching as a career now or in the future, we are happy to arrange a 1:1 phone call to discuss your plans and answer any questions you may have. Please email with your details and we will call you back!
What is School Direct?
School Direct is a school-led training course for post graduates that gives you the chance to learn "on the job" in a school. You work as part of the teaching team from day one - similar to student medics in hospitals - learning from experienced, practising colleagues and immediately putting your new skills into practice. Your teaching time increases as you gain in experience and knowledge, over the three placements. You are not expected to teach a whole class on day one of your training or are you left on your own in the classroom. Your teaching time increases as your skills do. Starting with small groups and building up to a whole class lesson. We work at your pace and support you throughout this incredible journey.
Why train with us?
CPTSA working in partnership with the South Birmingham SCITT...
... Is the perfect place for someone who doesn't just want a job in teaching, they want a career
...Is a supportive, encouraging environment and the staff will go out of their way to make you a success
...will help find the teacher in you
The Colmore Partnership Training School Alliance is an educational community which is founded on a shared passion and drive to make a positive impact on pupils' life chances and achieve excellence for all. From students to leaders of education, from Early Years to adulthood, from apprentice to master, we are building a community of excellent practice together and effective learning relationships are a at the heart of everything we do.
Under the School Direct programme we are working in partnership with The South Birmingham SCITT and are proud to be working together to provide an innovative, creative and truly school led route into teaching. In partnership we are stronger and bring the best of our experience together. The SCITT has over 18 years experience of school experience of school led teacher training with a regional and nationally recognised reputation. Our Partnership will work closely together to provide trainee teachers with the opportunities they need to become creative and inspirational leaders of learning who will motivate and engage all learners.
Our Partnership aims to produce highly skilled graduate Trainee Teachers who have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning, which will enable them to demonstrate the highest levels of professional practice.
Our programme will prepare trainee teachers to address the needs of all learners and their communities, to overcome disadvantage and barriers to learning and to continually reflect upon the impact of their professional practice.
Our staff across the partnership have a proven track record in training and professional development. NQTs consistently rate us in the top 10 providers via the Good Teacher Training Guide.
CPTSA in partnership with The South Birmingham SCITT:
- Primary and Secondary Teacher Training
- School - Led (SCITT and Schools Direct)
- Learn from real teachers in real classrooms
- 100% employment rates
- Bespoke programme offering high levels of support to enable you to reach your full potential
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Post Graduate Certificate in Education Qualification (MA level 7 x 80 - 20 more credits than a PGCE)
- 1 day in training, 4 days in placement from early November
- Structured remote supported online learning via Microsoft Teams
- Strategic partners of a number of Teaching Schools to secure individuals early career entry and opportunities into leadership
- Highly skilled practitioners to ensure high quality learning for the trainee
Our Partners
Under the School Direct programme, we are proud to be working with the South Birmingham SCITT for all of our teacher training routes, Primary 3-7 route, Primary 5 -11 and Secondary subjects. We aim to provide an innovative and creative route into primary and secondary teaching. Our Partnership work closely together to provide our trainee teachers with the opportunities they need to become creative and inspirational leaders of learning who will motivate and engage all learners. We aim to develop highly skilled graduate teachers who have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning, enabling you to demonstrate the highest levels of professional practice.
Professional Studies
A core part of your training will be undertaken within the Training School and at the SCITT. This year the training day is on a Friday. This will be held at our Training School or Solihull Sixth Form Centre. Covid 19 safety measures are in place on both sites. Training runs throughout your training year and is made up of innovative training designed and delivered by a team of our Specialist Leaders in Education (SLEs). These are current senior practitioners who bring to your training a wealth of knowledge, experience and up to date practice and subject knowledge. The training covers up to date and relevant topics such as Assessment, working in a new key stage, transition and inclusion and other areas such as personal impact in the class room, employability training through mock interviews and how to write an outstanding application form.
Placements
We offer three school placements during your training year (Autumn/Spring and Summer), which will be in one of our Alliance schools. We want you to learn from the best and be inspired by outstanding practice. We always consider your personal circumstances when allocating a school. We will work out the best route for you and ensure that you do not have to travel for more than an hour (max). Your first placement (School A) starts in September until Christmas. January to Easter (school B) will be in a contrasting school setting and in a new key stage. Your final school placement (School C) will again cover a new key stage.
Each placement will be supported by an experienced daily trainer within school. At the CPTSA in partnership with the South Birmingham SCITT,we train all the daily trainers and lead trainers to ensure that they are able to offer support and professional guidance. You will each have an individual training plan which is tailored to your needs based on your entry point onto the training year. Your teaching practice will increase as the year progresses. The time teaching builds from small intervention groups to whole class teaching. As a guideline , by the end of your first placement you will be teaching for 50% of the time. this will increase to 60% by the end of your second term and 80% by the end of your final placement.
Entry Requirements
Academic Entry Requirements
General Primary and Early Years Route: GCSE English, Maths and Science - Grade C/4 or above or their equivalent
Secondary: GCSE English and Maths - Grade C/4 or above or their equivalent
Preferred Degree Classification
We consider all applications individually. A degree in a relevant subject, from a recognised UK higher education institution, or an equivalent.
For Secondary routes - at least 50% of which is in the subject that you intend to teach. There can be a wide range of degrees that are relevant to teaching specialist subjects at secondary level that will be acceptable.
The Professional Skills Tests
These are no longer required to train to teach. We will do baseline testing in numeracy and literacy at various points during the course. Full support will be given
School Experience - Please note all our face to face school experience days are currently cancelled due to the Covid 19 situation affecting the closure of schools. We are running a condensed version online on Zoom. Email enquiry@cptsa.co.uk to book your space
The course will cover:
- Training to teach with Colmore
- How to apply. Top tips and techniques
- Video discussion of teaching
- Discussion about teaching as a career including pay and progression
- Q and A with a teacher
Disclosure and Barring Service
A condition of your offer will be the successful completion of all Safeguarding procedures.
Fitness to Teach
A condition of your offer will be the successful completion of an Occupational Health Check to satisfy the requirements for Fitness to Teach. We endeavor to meet the needs of trainees with disabilities and you are welcome to discuss any needs or disabilities with us at any time during the application process.
Accreditation for successful completion of the programme
All our School Direct courses last one academic year starting in early September to July. On successful completion of the course, you will have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education with 80 Level 7 Masters credits. This will work towards a Masters in Teaching and Learning (this is more than a PGCertEd)
It doesn't end there.....
All our School Direct courses last one academic year starting in early September to July. On successful completion of the course, you will have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a postgraduate qualification in Teaching and Learning with 80 Level 7 Masters credits. This will work towards a Masters in Teaching and Learning (this is more than a PGCertEd)
Current Vacancies
Please apply for any of our courses through the new portal https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training
Applications will be accepted from October 12th 2021. The search facility is open from 5th October 2021
The CPTSA provider code is 19Q for all age ranges and subjects
Course Codes:
- Primary Early Years (age range 3-5): 2T3X
- General Primary (age range 5- 11): 2J4C
Secondary subjects:
- Physics 2J4P
- English: 2J4W
- Maths: 2J4X
- Chemistry : 2J4Q
- Biology : 2T42
All secondary courses will have placements in our network of schools
Assessment
Trainee Teachers become reflective practitioners with personalised targets to move their practice forwards. Weekly reflections and termly reviews are underpinned with theory and practice.
Fees and Funding
The fees for 2022/23 are £9250. These fees are invoiced at 3 points over the year .Some courses are eligible for a student loan/bursary. Subject dependent training bursaries may be available.
https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/bursaries-and-scholarships-for-teacher-training
There's extra financial support available if you're a parent, have an adult dependant or a disability. The support listed here doesn't have to be paid back. Click on the link below for further information:
https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/extra-financial-support
Key Information
More details about our Alliance can be found on our website www.cptsa.co.uk or www.southbirminghamscitt.org.uk
DfE Get Into Teaching: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options/school-based-training/school-direct.aspx
More Information about School Direct: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options/school-based-training/school-direct.aspx
Need to know more about the CPTSA Programme: email us at
Funding and bursary information: Initial Teacher Training academic year 2022/23 - click here for ITT Funding and Bursary information