Programme Information

NEAT ITT (NEAT Academy Trust Initial Teacher Training) is working in partnership with Teach First to provide School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) where you will gain Qualified Teacher Status and a PGCE.

Who’s the programme for? Is the programme right for me?

This programme is for future teachers looking for full-time ‘hands-on’ training in at least two schools that are close to your home. You’ll be in the classroom from September 2023 and benefit from the support of a trained mentor.  

There can be few things as rewarding as making a tangible difference in shaping the lives of young people, inspiring and mentoring them to become the best they can be. If you want to become a teacher and have a real impact every day, this programme is for you.

You can find out more in the brochure below.

What is the programme in a nutshell?

The School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme is a one-year teacher-training course which enables you to train and develop your skills in the classroom.

Our SCITT course is ideal for people who are eager to learn on the job and make a difference in their community from day one. As a trainee, you’ll spend a majority of the week interacting with pupils and working as a member of teaching staff in a school local to you.

Our research-led programme will give you plenty of practical experience, along with phase and subject-specific training and a deep understanding of effective teaching methods.

You’ll be in the classroom from September 2023 and will benefit from the support of a trained mentor throughout your training. 

At the end of our programme, you’ll be awarded qualified teacher status (QTS) and postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE).

When does the programme start?

You’ll start your programme in September 2023 and complete the training in July 2024.

What are the entry requirements?

To be eligible to apply you will need:

• An undergraduate degree, or equivalent.
• The ability to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the subject you are applying to teach, either through your degree qualification, your A Levels or relevant experience.
• Grade 4 (C) or above in English and Maths GCSEs, or equivalent qualification. To teach Primary, you will also need Grade 4 (C) or above in Science GCSE.
• We will not consider candidates with pending GCSEs. Functional skills qualifications are not equivalent to Maths and English GCSEs.
• We accept most equivalency test providers. You will need to have passed your GCSE equivalency test before applying to our programme; we will not be able to process your application until you have passed.

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• Overseas qualifications will be reviewed by the UK national agency for international qualifications and skills (ENIC) to ensure they meet programme requirements.

International candidates

You’ll need the right to study in the UK.

• You already have this if, for example, you:
• are an Irish citizen
• have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (you may still be able to apply)
• have indefinite leave to remain in the UK

If you do not already have the right to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa. The main visa for fee-paying courses (those that you have to pay for) is the student visa.

About NEAT Academy Trust

Why choose NEAT ITT:

• We have partnered with Teach First enabling us to deliver a SCITT programme that uses national expertise combined with delivery from local specialists.
• We offer high quality intensive on the job training.
• Our MAT is currently made up of 4 Primary Schools and 2 Secondary schools, all of which are located in areas of high deprivation. We have both faith and non-faith schools.  Alongside this, we are currently providing formal support to two schools
• We are in the unique position of having schools in the Trust that cover 2 local authorities and are made up of faith and non-faith schools.  We also have a Research School within the trust and NEAT Education Services.  This service provides CPD opportunities around Quality First Teaching and the PE and School Sport Service.
• Providing all through education, NEAT will be able to offer Trainees on the programme the opportunity to gain valuable insight and experience with ages 2 years through to 19 years.  This will give you broad, hands-on experiences of how the Key Stages link, strategies and practices involved in ensuring that children are prepared for each stage of their learning journey and provide you with a holistic view of the education journey. 
• With ARPS (additionally resourced provisions) within both primary and secondary,  we have extensive SEND knowledge and experience including specialist knowledge of language, communication and physical disabilities.
• We have a proven track record of Staff Development and as a result we have demonstrable expertise in Quality First Teaching and Pedagogy.
• Train with us and you will receive a programme of high-quality professional development, from experienced staff who have a passion for teaching and commitment to growing and developing the next generations of teachers.

Why are we partnering with Teach First? 

We’re working in partnership with Teach First to deliver our School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme.  

With 20 years’ experience as the largest Initial Teacher Training provider in the country, they have worked with a range of educational experts and school leaders to develop this high quality, research-led programme.

Teach First’s mission is to make our education system work for every child. We help people develop into inspiring teachers, supporting them every step of the way as they discover their potential. For nearly two decades, Teach First has been training teachers in low-income areas across the country who have had an exceptional impact on their pupils. ​

Find out more about Teach First.

Programme Format:

What’s the programme Structure?

How you will learn and spend your time:

Course Duration:

The course duration is September to July.  The format will be a blend of self-directed learning, on the job training and one to one support.

Access to high quality training, coaching and mentoring:

All training has been designed by Teach First.  Recognised as outstanding by Ofsted,  Teach First is the largest ITT Provider in England, having provided expert teacher  training for over 20 years.

During your core school placement and the 6 week second school placement (term 3), you will be supported by a range of skilled and knowledgeable subject-specific mentors trained to provide support underpinned by research.  The mentors are experienced teachers who work in the Trust and have been selected due to their proven track record in delivering high quality teaching and are passionate about the profession and the development of new teachers.   Your lead mentor will deliver your training and oversee your progress throughout the year.

Your mentor also receives support and training from Teach First and us to ensure that they are briefed on the latest research and can tailor their coaching to suit your needs.

4 weeks of Intensive Training:

• Starting in September, you will first receive 2 week intensive induction before starting your core placement.
• These two weeks of intensive training will focus on the core areas of teaching including behaviour management and lesson planning
• During the remainder of the programme you will also receive 2 additional weeks of intensive training (1 week in January and 1 week in April)

Where you will spend your time:

After the first 2 weeks of intensive training, you will spend 4 days a week on core school placement with one day a week engaging in training and development in the form of lectures and events.

Once you start your placement, you will have weekly training sessions, designed by Teach First’s expert curriculum designers, and sequenced to ensure focus on the areas of teaching that are most relevant to that point in the academic year.

You will take part in six modules across the year – one per half term. In each module you will have self-directed study sessions, live seminars and time to collaborate with other trainees within your placement teaching school hub.

Your self-directed study session will cover a comprehensive range of topics:

1. Subject knowledge and pedagogy
2. An inclusive classroom environment
3. Effective inclusive teaching
4. Planning and curriculum
5. Assessment

Live seminars will be held for each module and are tailored to whether the trainee is specialising in primary or secondary education. Each module will also include a full day conference which will focus on a combination of core curriculum and subject or phase specific content. The conferences also provide a great opportunity to meet other trainees on the programme.

Class-room based learning

Our research-led course will give you plenty of hands-on experience and our curriculum focuses on supporting you to put learning into practice, to have an impact on pupils during a four day a week core school placement.  You will spend your time with other expert teachers, observing their lessons and learning how to teach and plan lessons and throughout the year practise your own teaching. You will work closely and be supported throughout by a highly skilled and knowledgeable mentor.  Our mentors also receive support and training, underpinned by research, from Teach First.

Your weekly training day is designed in collaboration with Teach First’s expert curriculum designers to make sure you are focused on the areas of teaching that are most relevant to that point in the year. The training will include a mixture of online and face-to-face elements and will ensure that you develop the knowledge and skills you need to become a great teacher, gain your Qualified Teacher Status and your PGCE.  The programme balances developing your subject knowledge and expertise alongside giving you an understanding of effective teaching methods to manage your workload and wellbeing.

The programme also includes a 6 week placement in another school in the Spring Term. Here you will spend time working with children of a different age in our other NEAT Academy Trust schools.  This may mean spending time in a nursery, a primary school, a secondary school or in post-16, depending on your specialism. These experiences will ensure you have a broad experience of teaching and further prepare you for your future career as a teacher.

What you will be rewarded upon successful completion of your training:

QTS and PGCE Award:

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will have the foundational knowledge and skills to become an effective Early Career Teacher (ECT) alongside achieving a PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).  There will be assignments throughout the year.  Successful trainees will be awarded a PGCE by our partner university, Sheffield Hallam University.  QTS will be awarded by Teach First.

Having a QTS means you have the right training and meet the standards to be a teacher. It is a teaching standard that is respected across the world and means that you can move around the country and teach in any state school.