Train to Teach: Secondary Programme FAQs

Yes, we offer 4 options:

Full time: From the last Tuesday in August to July. You would be in school 4 days per week with Thursday being your theory day.

We have three part-time options available. The non-negotiable day is Thursday (for training):

1. 3 days in Year 1 (2 days at placement school + 1 training day) then 3 days in Year 2 (3 days at placement school). QTS will be possible at the end of the Spring Term in Year 2 (Easter 2025);
2. 4 days in Year 1 (3 days at placement school + 1 training day) then 4 days in Year 2 (4 days at placement school) QTS will be possible at the end of the Autumn Term in Year 2 (Christmas 2024);
3. 4 days in Year 1 (3 days at placement school + 1 training day) then 3 days in Year 2 (3 days at placement school). QTS will be possible at the end of the Spring Term in Year 2 (Easter 2025).

As part of the programme, all of your Core Training will take place in Year 1 for all part-time trainees. This means you are expected to attend all Thursday training in Year 1.  This will also mean all written elements of the PGCE (in partnership with University of Birmingham) are included in Year 1. The school experience element of the PGCE will take place across the whole of your part-time programme, therefore you will gain your PGCE at the end of Year 2.

Fees

Due to the additional time involved for the part-time programme the fees will be £6,935 per academic year (inclusive of VAT). In Year 2, fees are dependent on how many terms you are with us. Please see below for a breakdown of the full costs:

If you are in receipt of a bursary or scholarship your payments will be spread across the full term of your training.

*We do not offer part time salaried courses.

Your DBS will be part of your conditional offer as well as medical clearance. A conditional offer is a list of requirements you must fulfil, if successful onto the course, prior to your start date.

We will organise a DBS date (late May/early June) in which you must attend an arranged appointment and bring the following documents:

Original documents are required.

We require 2 proofs of ID to run your DBS check, we advise you provide your passport and driving licence (and a UK Birth Certificate if you have this). If you need to arrange for a replacement Passport or Driving Licence, please do this as soon as possible.

• Passport
• Driving Licence And/Or
• Birth Certificate
• Proof of National Insurance (NI Card, P45 or P60)

Please note, the names on each document must match. For example, if you have a middle name on one document, this must be present on all documents. If you have changed your name, please provide proof.

1 Proof of Address:

• Bank Statement
• Utility Bill
• HMRC/Local Government Letter

Any letters provided must be dated within 3 months and must include your full name (inclusive of middle name(s)/initial). We cannot accept online statements that have been printed at home. We advise you to visit your local bank branch to request a printed and stamped statement, or request for a bank statement to be posted to you.

Overseas Police Check – If you have been outside of the UK for more than 3 months, at any point in the past 5 years, we will require you to provide overseas police check for the respective country. If you do not have one of these, please begin the process of obtaining this as soon as possible. Further information can be found on the .GOV Website.

We will complete your DBS application form on our portal and pay for.

There will be 10 subject days provided as part of the course to support any weak areas and to assist you in how to deliver your subject.

These will be delivered on a Thursday throughout your training year.

The subject Tutor, who will deliver your 10 subject days, will also carry out a visit during each placement block to QA your progress.

You may apply for a TIE PGCE place if you already have an honours degree, or if you’re due to complete your honours degree by the time you begin your 1-year programme. It must be a 2:2 or above.

• an honours degree of class 2:2 or above. Science candidates must have an honours degree comprising of at least 50% in your chosen subject specialism*
• GCSEs at grade C / 4 or above in Mathematics and English Language. We do accept GCSE equivalency’s from A Star Equivalency and Equivalency testing.com
• excellent knowledge in your chosen subject
• an appreciation of education-related issues
• knowledge in numeracy and literacy for tests at interview
• Applicants with overseas qualifications are welcome provided your qualifications are equivalent. You would need to check this with UK ENIC. Your UK ENIC should show that your degree is equivalent to an honours degree and to what classification e.g. 2:2. If English is not your first language, a IELTs qualification should be to 7.0 or equivalent. Unfortunately, we do not offer Visa sponsorship.

*Apart from Science, if your degree is not in your chosen subject, your A level in that subject must be at least a grade C (Maths must be a grade B). You will also be offered a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) depending on the degree course you have take. Further guidance can be offered by contacting contactus@tie.trinitymat.org

Apart from science, no. Provided that the classification (or expected classification) of your honours degree is 2:2 or above, your degree can be in any subject. We would then look at your level 3 courses to see if you meet entry requirements as one of these would ned to be in your chosen subject area. We can then support you with a SKE from TES.

A science subject must have a degree in their chosen specialism as well as 2 science level 3 qualifications.

Once you’ve chosen your Subject, you will need to write a personal statement.

When you apply you’ll need to give details about:

• your qualifications, including your GCSEs and A levels (or equivalents) and degree
• your work history or unpaid experience
• why you want to teach
• why you’re suited to teach a particular subject or age group

Your personal statement explains why you want to be a teacher. It’s your chance to show your motivation, commitment and teaching potential. It’s a crucial part of your application – so it’s worth taking your time on it.

Your personal statement should be between 500 and 1000 words. 90% of successful candidates write 500 words or more.

You could include:

• skills you have that are relevant to teaching
• any experience of working with young people
• your understanding of why teaching is important
• your reasons for wanting to train to be a teacher
• any activities you’ve done that could be relevant to teaching (such as first aid courses, sports coaching or volunteering)

Teacher training providers want to see your passion and that you understand the bigger picture of teaching.

Make sure you check your spelling and grammar in your application. You want to make the best possible impression.

If you’re concerned about your subject knowledge, do not worry – you may be able to do a ‘subject knowledge enhancement’ course as part of your training.

You will submit your personal statement during your application process on the DfE website.

You can look at our interview page: click here

Relevant work experience is not an essential requirement, but we strongly recommend it to see if this is the right career for you. Click here to fill out our TIE school experience form and see how we can help!

Secondary trainees will teach pupils aged 11-16 years. Your teaching workload will increase gradually in line with your developing skills and knowledge, and you’ll be supported every step of the way. Taking ownership of your own classes is an important aspect of your programme.

We offer post-16 experience as well as 1-day in a SEND (special educational needs & disabilities) school, 1-day in SEMH (social emotional mental health) and 2 days in a primary school.

All trainees must be able to commute to our dedicated training centre in Halifax. If you need a placement school closer to your home location, please contact us and we will do our very best to source a placement school within your commute area.

If your school is willing to sign up as a partner school, then we’re happy to accommodate specific requests for trainees already in employment. We recommend that you contact us to talk this through before you apply.

Some shortage subjects offer a salaried place allowing you to earn while you learn. However, there is a wide range of support, student loans and bursaries which could make training to teach viable for you. Feel free to contact us for further advice and support.

Click here for more advice.

We do offer salaried full time courses in Maths, Chemistry and Physics.

CLICK HERE

Our trainees are available to speak to prospective applicants at a number of TIE events, so why not pop along and say hello? You can also take look at our Personal stories for some useful insights.

You will be assessed against the ITT Framework and the Teaching Standards.

You will have a report carried out in each block placement. There are 3 block placements, therefore 3 reports at the end of each placement. The reports will be completed by your school based mentor and will provide areas of strength and areas of development for your next placement. In the last placement, the feedback will support your ECT (early career teacher) targets.

You will complete 2 assignments in your teacher training year, one based on your subject and the other will be a research based project.

These will be provided by the University of Birmingham.

As well as our Trinity Institute of Education Leads, you will have a Subject Tutor, a school based Mentor and a school based professional mentor.

Our sessions are not lecture theatre style, which means you will develop strong relationships with the peers on our course because of the interaction and activities that take place.

We also have wellbeing and mental health support should a trainee require it.