I'm looking to apply for a place on the Educational Psychology Funded Training Scheme (EPFT) for September 2024. I applied for this last year but unfortunately I was unsuccessful. I have a first class Bachelor's degree in Psychology (Bsc), one year of experience working as a TA / LSA in Secondary School (this will be 2 years by the time I start the course) and 11 months experience working as a Children's Workshop Facilitator in Primary Schools (facilitating workshops on 'keeping safe' and handling disclosures). I have also previously volunteered as a Year 8 camp leader. I am aware of how difficult the course is to get on and that many applicants will have more experience than me; please could anyone advise on writing my application / any experience I can get in the meantime that would enhance this?
Knowing there are only approximately 200 places on the EPFT, would someone with experience / knowledge please advise whether I should apply for the DEdPsych courses directly as well as through the EPFT? I couldn't find any information about this on the AEP website. Last year, I was rejected by the Universities through the EPFT, but am I allowed to apply to the Universities directly too? And if not, would I have a better chance of being successful if I just applied directly to the Universities and not the EPFT, given my (lack of) experience?
Many thanks in advance.