Course summary
The School Direct Training Programme is school-led initial teacher training. School Direct is available in primary and secondary schools across England and offers a training route to achieving qualified teacher status (QTS). Through our partnerships, there are training places available in a range of areas.
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Key facts
Award |
PGCE |
---|---|
Duration |
1 or 2 years |
Mode of study |
Full/Part-time |
Start date |
September |
Awarding institution |
Bishop Grosseteste University |
Institution code |
B38 |
About this course
Click here for more information on our current School Direct partnership schools.
There are two separate School Direct training options:
School Direct Training Programme (non-salaried):
You may be eligible for a bursary of up to £30,000 to support you while you train. Click the below links for important information about this course including additional costs, resources and key policies for both the Primary and Secondary courses.
School Direct Training Programme (salaried):
An employment-based route available to high-quality graduates with at least three years’ work experience who will earn a salary whilst they train. Click the below links for important information about this course including additional costs, resources and key policies for both the Primary and Secondary courses.
For further information about School Direct please visit the National College for Teaching and Leadership website.
Entry requirements
For all School Direct specialisms you will normally need:
- GCSEs at grade C or above (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics. Please see our list of accepted equivalents.
- A relevant honours degree at a 2:2 classification or above; please see below for the degree subject requirements for individual specialisms. (Where the degree result is to be awarded in the year of application, we will require a predicted degree classification as part of an academic reference provided on the application)
- Experience – please see below information below
- Declaration of Health
- DBS (formerly the CRB) Enhanced Disclosure
When shortlisting for interview, we will consider the following aspects of your qualifications:
- GCSE grades (or equivalents) and relevance of subjects
- A Level grades (or equivalents) and relevance of subjects
- Degree Class and relevance of content
- Additional relevant qualifications
For studying Social Science - Modules in or closely related to the subject being applied for will need to form at least 50% of the degree content.
Experience
Experience in a relevant setting is important as it will help you to make sure that you are aware of the role of a teacher in the twenty-first century. The course is intensive and demanding and you need to be aware of what a career in the teaching profession entails.
We encourage you to gain some experience in schools as this is a good starting point for you to gain an interview for the Secondary PGCE.
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) – formerly the CRB and Health
In addition you will be required to obtain a satisfactory Declaration of Health Form, or if required, a medical examination. In addition, all students will need to pay for an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (formerly the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)). A successful Enhanced Disclosure is required before commencing the course.
If you have any questions about the entry requirements for this course, please contact our Enquiries team for advice on +44 (0) 1522 583658 or email enquiries@bishopg.ac.uk
Careers & Further study
The teaching profession has a well-structured career pathway which moves progressively from initial teacher training through to newly qualified (NQT) status to qualified teacher. Many continue to work in our partner schools, becoming mentors to our trainee teachers, pursing further study to full Master's and Doctoral level at BGU and taking on leadership roles including Headships.
What Our Students Say
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Support
Studying at BGU is a student-centred experience. Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community. You will know every member of staff personally and feel confident approaching them for help and advice, and staff members will recognise you, not just by sight, but as an individual with unique talents and interests.
We will be there to support you, personally and academically, from induction to graduation.

Fees & Finance
A lot of student finance information is available from numerous sources, but it is sometimes confusing and contradictory. That’s why at BGU we try to give you all the information and support we can to help to throughout the process.
Our Student Advice team are experts in helping you sort out the funding arrangements for your studies, offering a range of services to guide you through all aspects of student finance step by step.
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