School Direct
School Direct Initial Teacher Training
Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) from Leeds Beckett University Primary Phase (age 3-7 or 5-11)
Springboard Cluster in Leeds
If you are planning to train as a primary school teacher and want to combine the academic rigour and grounding of a university course with the real-life hands on practice of working in schools, then the School Direct route might well be for you. It is particularly suited for candidates with relevant experience of working with children who are wishing to find teaching jobs for autumn in the local area. Our graduates are very successful at finding jobs in Leeds due to the quality of the course, school links in the area and the track record of Leeds Beckett University, our higher education partner.
The Springboard Cluster is situated in north Leeds primary schools including Little London, Brudenell, Kirkstall Valley, Kirkstall St Stephens, Burley St Matthias, Brodetsky, Spring Bank and Weetwood. It is led by Shire Oak Primary School in Headingley. One advantage of the Springboard Cluster is the diversity of its members and therefore the contrasting teaching experiences that student teachers benefit from on their two placements and on our enhancement days. We have small schools, three form entry schools, schools with high numbers of EAL speakers, schools with a very varied socio-economic profile and different cultural backgrounds. All are schools that are committed to meeting the needs of their young learners and supporting the next generation of teachers to do the same. Each school has an experienced tutor/mentor as well as supportive classroom teachers.
During the year School Direct trainees learn about all aspects of primary education whilst based in at least two of our cluster schools. Learning at university is supplemented by enhancement days that are led by expert practitioners from our cluster of schools. These include (but are not limited to) topics such as phonics, EAL, computing, planning, assessment and behaviour. Link tutors from the university effectively support student teachers throughout the year and work closely in partnership with our cluster.
Trainee teachers build up their teaching time throughout the year, spending a minimum of 120 days in school during the year. This depth of practice helps graduates to become credible, effective and employable class teachers. Students are given time to work with their class-based tutor (the class teacher) as well as with their school-based mentor whoguides the student’s professional development and liaises closely with the university.
If you are interested in finding out more about this route into teaching and about our local cluster of schools, please come along to our next Open Day (www.shireoak.org/about1-c5zx) or contact Springboard@shireoak.leeds.sch.uk
If you wish to apply for a place on our training programme please apply on the UCAS website from October. Our course code is 2HX.