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Postgraduate Initial Teacher Training
With routes into Primary, Primary SEND and Secondary.
- School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) (Learn more)
- 12-15 Month Programme Leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- Qualified teachers start on £30,000
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At a glance
Course duration
12 -15 months
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
In-school placement
4 days a week
Centre based training
1 day a week
Personal Tutor visits & observation
Full time (minimum of 30 hours a week)
What are the benefits?
- Complete your practical teacher training in 12 months + 3 month EPA, all from the convenience of a local school. Jump straight into hands-on teaching experience and start your rewarding career sooner
- 6 weeks placement experience: benefit from professional learning and teaching practice in our partner placement schools
- Learning applied in practice: develop skills and techniques which can be immediately applied in your placement or employment setting
- Fully supported: receive the support of a BPN tutor and in-school mentor and get help from our wellbeing and programme teams
- Sequenced curriculum: a curriculum deliberately structured with purposeful integration of centre-based and school-based training.
- Research-informed: access the latest research & evidence informed practice of what works best in teacher training
- National cohort: join a network of like-minded individuals across the country
- Training with Best Practice Network means you can access the full 'Golden Thread' of teacher and leadership development as you build your career, from Initial Teacher Training (ITT) through to leadership
Age ranges
Trainees choose from one of two age ranges – both are full time.
- Primary (age 3-7 years) - focussing on Reception and Key Stage One
- Primary (age 5-11 years) - focussing on Key Stage One and Key Stage Two
Primary SEND overview
Best Practice Network offers a high-quality specialist ‘Primary SEND’ teacher training programmes designed for entrants to the teaching profession who aspire to be qualified teachers in special schools or specialist provision within mainstream schools.
The trainee's chosen programme (3-7 or 5-11) will be matched to the stage that pupils are working at rather than their chronological age. SEND programmes are designed and delivered by professionals with an in-depth knowledge of special schools, specialist curriculums and provision.
By the end of the programme, trainees will be equipped to complete their ECT induction in a special school setting.
Where we refer to special schools, this route also applies to alternative provision, pupil referral units and mainstream schools with SEND resource units.
Age ranges
Trainees choose from one of two age ranges – both are full time, lasting one year:
- Primary SEND (3-7)
- Primary SEND (5-11)
Programme structure
The training has the same features and benefits of our Primary ITT programme. If you choose the ‘Primary SEND’ programme, you will be immersed in a special school from September to December. You will then complete a 6-week placement in January in a contrasting mainstream Primary school setting within an age and phase aligned to your pathway. After this placement, you will return to your host school for the duration of the programme.
You will have the support of expert SEND tutors to develop your skills and knowledge of working with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
You will complete a range of training including online specific curriculum webinars, Core Training Days, online study and research with expert professionals in school.
Student teachers are assessed in an ongoing formative manner in several ways and summatively against the Teacher Standards in the summer term.
Secondary Age ranges & subject specialisms
Student teachers choose from one of two age ranges and one of 9 subject specialisms.
Age ranges:
- Secondary (age 11-16 years)
- Secondary (age 14-19 years)
Subject specialisms:
- English
- Maths
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
- Computing
- Geography
- French
- Spanish
Subject Knowledge Enhancement SKE
If you are considering a secondary specialism, you might need to do a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course before you start your teacher training to top up your subject knowledge.
This could be because you have (one or more of the following):
- finished your degree more than 5 years ago
- a different but related degree to the subject you want to teach
- an A level but not a degree in the subject you want to teach
- an unrelated degree but relevant professional experience
- studied for a languages degree, but need to improve knowledge either in a main language, second language or both to an acceptable level for teaching in schools
SKE courses are fully funded by the DfE and eligible candidates receive an SKE bursary. Please contact us if you aren't sure if you will need to complete an SKE course. Please note funding for 23/24 is no longer available, but we will review your subject knowledge and if we identify you need to enhance your knowledge prior to starting your training, you will be supported by our Subject Leads with online materials and guidance.
You can find out more about SKE courses in this SKE Trainee Brochure.
How is the programme delivered?
The programme is full time (minimum of 30 hours a week) and runs for four terms.
- Pre-Autumn term: Induction– a one-week programme for all new trainees, when we'll ensure that you have a smooth start to the programme
- Autumn term: You will be in your host school this term. You will be in school four days a week and training one day a week.
- Spring term: You will spend 6 weeks in a contrasting school placement. This placement will be organised for you by our placement co-ordinators.
- Spring and summer term: You will return to your host school to prepare for the recommendation of QTS.
Who is this for?
Applicants must hold:
- A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent with a 2:2 or above
- GCSE* grade 4/C or above in English, maths and science, or the recognised equivalent*
- School experience is not an entry requirement, however we strongly recommend this as a way of helping to confirm your chosen career
- You can read more about eligibility on the Get Into Teaching website
*Please note for entry to the ITT Post Graduate Fee-funded route, you must have GCSE maths, English and science at Grade C / 4 or above.
However, if you hold Level 2 Functional Skills, Key Skills or another maths or English qualification, you will need still need to complete GCSE Equivalency testing to meet the ITT entry requirements.
**GCSE equivalent does not include Functional or Key Skills for the purpose of meeting the ITT requirements. Please do give us a ring to discuss further.
Subject Knowledge Enhancement SKE
If you are considering a secondary specialism, you might need to do a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course before you start your teacher training to top up your subject knowledge.
This could be because you have (one or more of the following):
- finished your degree more than 5 years ago
- a different but related degree to the subject you want to teach
- an A level but not a degree in the subject you want to teach
- an unrelated degree but relevant professional experience
- studied for a languages degree, but need to improve knowledge either in a main language, second language or both to an acceptable level for teaching in schools
SKE courses are fully funded by the DfE and eligible candidates receive an SKE bursary. Please contact us if you aren't sure if you will need to complete an SKE course. Please note funding for 23/24 is no longer available, but we will review your subject knowledge and if we identify you need to enhance your knowledge prior to starting your training, you will be supported by our Subject Leads with online materials and guidance.
You can find out more about SKE courses in this SKE Trainee Brochure.
The cost of training to teach is £8,500 for full-time study.
Student finance
Home and EEA students may be eligible for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost. This would be available through Student Finance England. You won’t have to pay the cost of tuition charges up front and you will only repay the loan once you are in full-time employment and earning above £21,000
Home students in England may also be eligible for a maintenance loan to help towards accommodation and other living costs (please note EU students cannot apply). The loan is paid directly into your bank account at the start of term. You have to pay the loan back. This would be available through Student Finance England.
Please view our tuition fee policy here.
Bursaries & Scholarships
Postgraduate teaching bursaries and scholarships are only available for the subjects listed below. You cannot receive both a teaching bursary and a scholarship.
You must be eligible for student finance to receive a bursary or scholarship (unless you’re training to teach physics or languages).
| Subject | Bursary | Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | £25,000 | |
| Chemistry | £28,000 | £30,000 |
| Computing | £28,000 | £30,000 |
| English | £10,000 | |
| Geography | £25,000 | |
| Languages (French and Spanish) |
£25,000 | £27,000 |
| Maths | £28,000 | £30,000 |
| Physics | £28,000 | £30,000 |
Bursaries
You do not need to apply for a bursary. If you’re eligible, you’ll automatically receive it.
To be eligible for a bursary, you’ll need at least one of the following:
-A bachelor's degree class 2:2 (honours) or higher
-A master's degree
-A PHD
You’ll also need to meet the bursary scheme’s individual terms and conditions. You can find more detailed information on the .gov website.
Scholarships
Eligibility
To be eligible for a scholarship, you’ll need at least one of the following:
-A bachelor's degree class 2:2 (honours) or higher
-A master's degree
-A PHD
In exceptional circumstances, if you achieved a 2:2 in your degree you may still be awarded a scholarship if you have significant relevant experience.
The Department for Education (DfE) is introducing new requirements for ITT mentors starting from the 2024/25 academic year. This is great news for schools as it will improve the quality of mentor training and support for trainees, ultimately leading to better outcomes for both teachers and pupils.
Please visit our mentor-dedicated page to find out more. To register as a mentor, please click the button below.
ITT FAQs
- An honours degree from a UK Higher Education Institution at 2:2 or above. You will also need GCSE English and maths grade 4 (C) or above (or equivalent*).
- You will also need GCSE Science grade 4 (C) if you are studying Primary
*If you hold Level 2 Functional Skills, Key Skills or another maths or English qualification, you will need still need to complete GCSE Equivalency testing to meet the ITT entry requirements.
**GCSE equivalent does not include Functional or Key Skills for the purpose of meeting the ITT requirements. Please do give us a ring to discuss further.
You will need to apply to ENIC for a certificate of equivalency, and we will check that against the regulations that the government sets for entry into the profession.
You'll need to apply for an equivalency GCSE.
We accept equivalency tests from:
- A* Star Teachers www.astarteachers.co.uk
- Equivalency Testing www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
- Maths Made Easy www.mathsmadeeasy.co.uk
(This will be at your own cost).
If you also have non-UK GCSE equivalent examinations, send all of your certificates together.
(This will be at your own cost).
No. Although these are Level 2 qualifications, as are GCSEs, they do not cover the same breadth of knowledge so cannot be accepted as equivalent to a GCSE.
We aim to place all trainees no more than 45-minute travel away from home.
We will take into consideration your needs, in order to ensure we choose the right placement for you.
No – you only need QTS to be employed as a qualified teacher, which you achieve on successful completion of our course. A PGCE is an additional academic qualification awarded by a university which some providers offer alongside QTS.
Fee-funded is through a student loan and as you will be classed as full-time student, this would be unsalaried. The apprenticeship route would allow you to be paid a wage and your employer would cover the cost of the programme through the Apprenticeship Levy Fund.
Although not essential, prior school experience will strengthen your application and provide you with an invaluable insight into what teaching is really like and the role and responsibilities of a classroom teacher.
Contact schools who know you or local schools asking who the appropriate contact is. Be flexible. Schools are busy places and so might not always offer you exactly what you requested. Volunteering is a great option if your schedule permits.
Schools may require a DBS check as a matter of policy and you will need this as a trainee teacher. It would be wise to obtain this as soon as possible as they can take weeks to complete.
No, we are only offering the postgraduate fee-funded and employment based (apprenticeship) route.
There is no ‘best route’ into teaching. The question is which is the best route into teaching for you? This may depend on your own personal situation.
We’re looking for people who want to become outstanding teachers; people who genuinely enjoy working with children and young people; people who are passionate about education and who are relentless in their drive to ensure positive outcomes for children.
Further essential qualities are outstanding organisation and communication skills, resilience, a proactive reflective approach and good interpersonal skills. You should also have determination and energy, high standards of English, maths and excellent subject knowledge.
You will benefit from bespoke weekly core training days with your fellow trainees, additional tailored subject-specific training days, a school-based mentor and a personal Best Practice Network tutor, as well as support from a knowledgeable and accessible programme team including a placement coordinator who will arrange your second placement in a contrasting school environment.
There are several pathways for you to consider.
Primary
You will be able to specialise in the key stage 1 and 2 provision (3-7 or 5-11) including SEN provision.
The 3-7 route encompass early years specialism and your placements will take place in early years and key stage 1. The 5-11 route specialises in the curriculum across the entire primary phase meaning your placements will take place in key stage 1 and key stage 2 classes. Both routes lead to QTS meaning you will be qualified to teach across the primary phase regardless of which route you take.
Secondary
You will be able to specialise in the key stage 3 and 4 provision (11-16 or 14-19).
You will select your subject specialism (English, maths, chemistry, physics, biology, computing, geography, French or Spanish). Trainees must have taught classes to pupils in two schools prior to the award of QTS. The duration of the ‘second school’ placement is dependent on your ITT route. All routes lead to QTS meaning you will be qualified to teach across the secondary phase regardless of which route you take or subject specialism.
Yes, you would be eligible for QTS. We would recommend you consider the apprenticeship route if your current workplace setting offers Key stage 1 +
Any offer we make will be conditional on health checks, disclosure and barring check (DBS) and completing mandatory safeguarding online course.
The selection process will check your competence in spoken and written English.
If you have a master's without a degree, you will have to demonstrate the breadth and time of the academic engagement that would be expected to meet 1st degree study and would not be less than 3 years.
You will be eligible if you have:
- The right to work in the UK / settlement status
- Have held a residency in the UK for the last 3 years
We do not offer this as a course.
The amount of teaching builds up over the year. For example in the first module they would start by team teaching and working with groups or in more of a supportive role like a Teaching Assistant.
We will look at this on a case-by-case basis. We recognise that there are circumstances where a trainee undertakes ITT to take up a particular teaching role in a specific school and that this is sometimes a role in a special school. Accredited ITT providers and their lead partners should use their expertise and judgement to decide whether a primary or secondary ITT course would be most appropriate for the context in which the trainee will be working as an ECT. For example, we accept that there may be circumstances where primary ITT is more appropriate for a trainee who is preparing for a particular role in a secondary special school. Consideration should also be given to the trainee’s long term career ambitions in the teaching profession.
No, as you have already achieved QTS.
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