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 Teaching 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. 

The CPTSA  is a strong and effective partnership of good and outstanding Birmingham schools,academies and higher education institutions. It is made up of 31 very successful yet diverse and varied schools,both primary and secondary, who share a common drive and determination to provide the highest possible standard of education to pupils.

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 and creative route into teaching. In partnership we are stronger and bring the best of our experience together. The SCITT has over 16 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 ad 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 and Post Graduate Qualification (MA level 7 x 80)
• 1 day in training, 4 days in placement
• 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. 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 Teaching School and at the SCITT. This year your training day will be a Monday.  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 two school placements  (ABA placement model) during your training year, which will both be in one of our Ofsted Good or Outstanding 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 2019 until Christmas. This will be in your preferred key stage. January to Easter (school B) will be in a contrasting school setting and in a new key stage. You will return to School A for your final term from May to July..

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 or above or their equivalent

Secondary: GCSE English and Maths - Grade C 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 

The professional skills tests (skills tests) for prospective teachers assess the core skills that teachers need to fulfill their professional role in schools, rather than the subject knowledge needed for teaching. This is to ensure all teachers are competent in numeracy and literacy, regardless of their specialism. You are able to take the tests as many times as you need. The first tests are free of charge and subsequent tests are paid for. Be aware that test centres can get booked up so book in early.

All current and prospective trainee teachers must pass the skills tests in numeracy and literacy before they can be recommended for the award of qualified teacher status (QTS).

The skills tests:

• are in addition to the GCSE grade C or grade 4 equivalence entry requirement
• are set in the context of the professional role of a teacher
• assess the use of real data and information which teachers are likely to encounter
• are computerised and can be taken at learndirect skills test approved test centres throughout the UK
• go through a stringent quality assurance procedure
• are extensively piloted and the performance of each test is regularly monitored

You can find more information about the skills tests in the context of teacher training via the Get into teaching website.

We do not expect you to have passed your Literacy and Numeracy assessment prior to interview. An offer will be given with this as a condition of you passing both tests by August 31st 2019.

School Experience

Spending time in a school can really open your eyes to the profession. Our highly commended 2 day programme runs throughout the year and is  validated with a seen teaching form which needs to be signed by the Head Teacher and verified by the school. This can support your application to a provider.

• We offer a 2 day primary school experience at The Colmore Schools which will cover Early Years to the end of Key Stage 2. There will be the chance to teach and critically observe outstanding teaching. For more details see our website www.cptsa.co.uk. If you have successfully completed this 2 day experience with us then this is all the experience we will require.

• We offer a 2 day secondary school experience through the South Birmingham SCITT. There will be a chance to teach and critically observe outstanding teaching. For more details see our website www.southbirminghamscitt.org.uk  If you have successfully completed this 2 day experience with us, this is all the experience we will require.

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 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)

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)

Once you have successfully completed your training with the CPTSA, we pride ourselves on supporting your teaching career. Through the CPTSA we offer a 12 month NQT programme which is now in its fifth successful year, training over 145 NQTs from across the city and beyond. We offer many training opportunities post NQT from moderation sessions, mastering a year group, NPQ qualifications and networking forums.

Current Vacancies

 Please apply for any of our courses through UCAS and the new DfE trainee teacher portal. Applications will be accepeted from early October 2018

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 2019/20 are £9000. These fees are invoiced at 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

Skills Test: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/apply-for-teacher-training/skills-tests.aspx

Professional skills tests: www.learndirect.com/help/contact-us/professional-skills-tests/ or contact learndirect's helpdesk available from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm    Telephone: 0300 303 9613

Need to know more about the CPTSA Programme: email us at cptsa@colmorej.bham.sch.uk

Funding and bursary information: Initial Teacher Training academic year 2019/20 - click here for ITT Funding and Bursary information