TRAIN TO TEACH
Get Into Teaching
What is the PTSA School Direct (tuition fee) training route?
Primary School Direct is a one year, full time, school-based route into teaching. With this training route you’ll be based in a Plymouth primary school and will also be taught by our university partner. Plymouth Marjon University have been training educators and teachers since the 1840s and have a huge alumni network and extensive school relationships to support your future career.
You will be based out of two different schools across the year, gaining experience across both Key Stage 1 and 2. You will be immersed in school life and taking an active role in the school team. You will work mainly out of a lead school, with an additional placement to give you breadth of experience. We work with many Plymouth schools and will try our best to place you in a school close to your home.
As well as on the job training from your lead and additional schools, subject specific training will be provided by PTSA, led by current outstanding practitioners and provide you the opportunity to work with other trainees from different schools. You also attend university for core academic learning.
PTSA School Direct trainees benefit from a full 40-week schedule. Some training will be school-based, led by our network of subject leaders of educations (SLEs) who are on hand to provide evidence informed, school based subject and pedagogy input and support. You will be learning and working with other trainees from across the city.
You will be based in a school from day one experiencing hands on learning. Support will be provided by your in school Mentor, University QA tutor and the PTSA Team who will offer ongoing pastoral care. Each week during your school placement trainees will have dedicated time set aside with their mentor to reflect on their progress, ensuring they are provided with personalised guidance and support to develop further.
We recognise that some students may have a passion, skill set or desire to work within a special school setting. If this is the case we can arrange for your second school placement to be within a special school, giving you hands on experience. If this would be of interested please do not hesitate to contact us.
The school won’t be your employer, and in many ways, your training will be similar to other programmes in universities, colleges, and SCITTs.
Successful completion of PTSA’s School Direct course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a PGCE qualification, with up to 60 Masters credits after one academic (September – July) year.
What is a Primary Teaching Apprenticeship?
A new route into teaching, a school works with Plymouth Marjon University and PTSA to train the apprentice, who is employed within a school.
A training programme which offers a combination of classroom teaching, practical learning and a salary for the trainee
On completion of the apprenticeship, the individual will have achieved QTS and be ready to enter the teaching profession
Who can apply for an apprenticeship?
Anyone who has an undergraduate degree with a 2:2 classification or above
A Grade 4 (C) or above in GCSE English, Maths (and Science for Primary/Special School)
The applicant may be someone who is already working within your school (as a support staff member, HLTA etc) or maybe someone new to the school
It is essential that you have a host school in place before applying.
For further information, please contact info@ptsa.uk
Key points
Study mode: Full-time
Study level: Postgraduate
Course type: School-led
Teaching qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) & Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)
Student loans: Yes (Both for tuition fees and maintenance)
Application method: Apply for Teaching Training GOV.UK
Classroom experience: Preferred Yes – but not essential
Fees: Fees payable £9,250
Fees for International Students: £14,500
Funding: Click to find out about Funding your training
More information: Click to visit the Get into Teaching page
Apply now: Click for Postgraduate Teacher Training
School Experience Programme
If you are interested in pursuing a career in teaching, having hands on experience is essential.
The School Experience Programme is available to potential School Direct applicants and will give you valuable hands on experience within our schools.
During your visit you will have the opportunity to:
– Observe lessons and different teaching styles
– Interact with pupils
– See how specific subjects are taught
– Learn more about the teacher training process
We also offer Virtual Experience Meetings via Salisbury Road Primary School. Dates and times can be flexible for both in-school and virtual experiences.
A number of our Trust Schools are offering this experience, please see below for direct links for more information and to apply:
Ford Primary School: Ford Primary School – Get school experience – GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
High View School: High View School – Get school experience – GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
Hyde Park Infants: Hyde Park Infants School – Get school experience – GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
Hyde Park Juniors: Hyde Park Junior School – Get school experience – GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
Mayflower Academy: Mayflower Academy – Get school experience – GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
Mount Wise: Mount Wise Community Primary School – Get school experience – GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
Pomphlett Primary: Pomphlett Primary School – Get school experience – GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
Prince Rock: Prince Rock Primary School – Get school experience – GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
Salisbury Road Primary School: Salisbury Road Primary School – Get school experience – GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
Woodfield Primary School: Woodfield Primary School – Get school experience – GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
Placement Schools
We work with many Primary Schools across Plymouth to place our students, these include, but are not limited to:
- Boringdon Primary
- Cann Bridge
- Christow Community Primary
- Countess Wear Primary
- Ernesettle Primary
- Glen Park Priamry
- High View Primary
- Knowle Primary
- Marine Academy Primary
- Marpool Primary
- Mayflower Academy
- Mount Street Primary
- Mount Wise Primary
- Oreston Primary
- Pennycross Primary
- Prince Rock Primary
- Plympton St Maurice
- Rydon Primary
- Salisbury Road Primary
- Shakespeare Primary
- Sherford Vale Primary
- St George’s Primary
- St Peter’s RC Primary
- Thornbury Primary
- Tor Bridge Primary
- West Berry Primary
- West Down Primary
- Woodfield Primary
- Yealmpstone Farm Primary
Why Train with PTSA?
The PTSA School Direct model brings together all the necessary elements required for excellence in Initial Teacher Education and Training.
Our combination of expert school-based practitioners and experienced university partner brings together teacher education pedagogy and up to date research within a school-based setting. We nurture talent and provide the essential classroom experiences that allow trainees to put theory into practice as they develop into an outstanding practitioner.
Each trainee has triangulated support provided by tutors from Plymouth Marjon University and in school subject and professional mentors. PTSA provide an additional layer of pastoral and pedagogical support. Offering pastoral and wellbeing school visits, social events, bespoke professional development and 1:1 coaching and guidance.
100% of Secondary and Primary PTSA School Direct Trainees 2019-20 secured employment in schools. Our close working relationship with local teacher supply agency, Supply Plus, means we can ensure you have the best chance of securing work on successful completion of the programme.
How to Get into Teaching
Plymouth Marjon University have published an extensive guide called How to Get into Teaching, it is an excellent resource to help potential trainees secure their place and prepare for life as a trainee teacher. The guide covers everything from choosing a route into teaching, to teacher training personal statements, interviews, applying for your first teaching job, understanding the Early Career Framework and much more. It includes a downloadable teacher training survival guide, written for trainees by trainees.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE
You must have achieved the following minimum requirements to be eligible to apply for the PTSA School Direct Primary (tuition fee) programme:
- You’ll need to hold an undergraduate degree awarded by a UK higher education provider, or a recognised equivalent qualification.
- You’ll need to have achieved a standard equivalent to grade C/4, or above, in the GCSE examinations in English, Mathematics and Science. GCSE equivalency exams are accepted in Maths, English and Science.
If you want support applying for our programme please get in touch with PTSA directly at info@ptsa.uk or find helpful information by visiting Get Into Teaching.
PTSA want to hear from you if you:
- Are passionate about improving the life chances of young people in Plymouth
- Have excellent communication and organisational skills.
- Are resilient and prepared to work hard
- You have the ability to engage and work well with adults and young people.
- Want to be part of a professional team from day one
- Are committed to continuous professional development and learning
- Want to pursue excellence for all in education
HOW TO APPLY
DfE Teacher Training is for postgraduate teacher training programmes in England and Wales.
DfE Teacher Training is the scheme you need to use to search and apply for PTSA School Direct (tuition fee) programme.
Search for PTSAs training programmes with the Department for Education’s ‘Find postgraduate teacher training’ service. You can search by typing in: PTSA – Plymouth Teachers and School Alliance as a training provider.
FEES & FUNDING
It’s a big investment, but there’s often funding available to help you.
Scholarships – for certain in-demand subjects, you can apply for a tax-free scholarship to support your training. To be eligible, you will typically need a 2:1 degree or above in the subject you want to teach (or a closely related subject). Visit Get Into Teaching to find out more.
Bursaries – tax-free bursaries are available for training to teach a range of subjects. The level of funding and eligibility will vary depending on the subject you choose to teach, and your degree classification. For more information, visit Get Into Teaching.
Tuition fee and maintenance loans – if you’re not eligible to receive a bursary or scholarship, you can still apply for a student loan to cover your training programme fees and living costs. Find out more from Student Finance England.
Extra student funding – if you have dependents, you could access further funding to support your teacher training, such as Parents’ Learning Allowances, Childcare Grants, or Child Tax Credits. The student finance calculator from Student Finance England allows you to estimate the level of funding that may be available.
Disabled students and care givers – universities and colleges have different ways of supporting you in higher education. Check if you are entitled to additional support and funding.
Plymouth Teachers and School Alliance
Learning Academies Trust, Salisbury Road
St Judes, Plymouth, PL4 8QZ
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