PGCE/Teach First/Schools Direct

What's the difference between the different teacher training courses PGCE/Teach First/Schools Direct?

A PGCE is the traditional university based route, schools direct can be either salaried or unsalaried and normally consists of achieving a PGCE qualification at the end but you are permanently placed with a school from the off, teach first is a work based route into teaching that also includes a leadership development programme. Each of these have positives and negatives to them. I am a schools direct student enrolled at Hertforshire University.

Reply 2

jessclar91

PGCE

•

This is a university based course therefore you apply via UCAS and pay the standard tuition fees. There are grants and loans available for this. Depending on your Undergraduate degree class and what subjects you wish to specialise in you may find that bursaries and golden handshakes are available check this website out for more details http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding/postgraduate-funding

•

You gain masters credits and do several placements at different schools.

•

You will find that there is time to reflect on your experiences.

•

You do not know in advance which school you shall be placed at within your universities catchment area. Although universities try their best to find placements close to home this is not always possible.

•

One year course

Schools Direct

•

This can either be salaried (not eligible for a loan) or unsalaried (eligible for the same as the PGCE- see above)

•

You gain masters credits

•

You gain a PGCE qualification

•

You know which school you shall be based at for most of your year so you get to know your students and colleagues really well

•

You can apply via UCAS or directly to the school you know you would like to train at

•

The school that trains you are likely to be looking to hire you after your course as an NQT

•

One year course

Teach First

•

Take part in their summer institute, an intensive six week dive bomb into teaching

•

You earn a salary dependent on many variables but in your first year this will be a minimum of the basic salary for an unqualified teacher

•

After the summer you jump straight into teaching at your school (Good luck!)

•

You gain a PGCE qualification in your first year. Watch the BBC show Tough Young Teachers if you would like to know a rough idea of what to expect about this year at a secondary school.

•

Not just a teaching qualification, it also includes a leadership development programme that partners you with businesses or government in order to influence change in education

•

Two year programme

•

Reduced cost masters offered in the second year of the programme

•

The schools that are partnered with Teach First are very deprived: It will be a huge challenge but if you’re up for it you could also be making a huge difference. Take a look at their website http://graduates.teachfirst.org.uk/our-programme/index.html

If you would like any advice on the process please comment and I will be willing to help

Reply 3

Carnationlilyrose

Original post by jessclar91

PGCE

•

You gain masters credits and do several placements at different schools.

•

You will find that there is time to reflect on your experiences.

•

One year course

Schools Direct

•

This can either be salaried (not eligible for a loan) or unsalaried (eligible for the same as the PGCE- see above)

•

You gain masters credits

•

You gain a PGCE qualification

•

You know which school you shall be based at for most of your year so you get to know your students and colleagues really well

•

You can apply via UCAS or directly to the school you know you would like to train at

•

The school that trains you are likely to be looking to hire you after your course as an NQT

•

One year course

Teach First

•

Take part in their summer institute, an intensive six week dive bomb into teaching

•

You earn a salary dependent on many variables but in your first year this will be a minimum of the basic salary for an unqualified teacher

•

After the summer you jump straight into teaching at your school (Good luck!)

•

You gain a PGCE qualification in your first year. Watch the BBC show Tough Young Teachers if you would like to know a rough idea of what to expect about this year at a secondary school.

•

Not just a teaching qualification, it also includes a leadership development programme that partners you with businesses or government in order to influence change in education

•

Two year programme

•

Reduced cost masters offered in the second year of the programme

•

If you would like any advice on the process please comment and I will be willing to help

Really excellent post. Thanks for posting.

Reply 4

TraineeLynsey

One additional point - there is no guarantee that a school direct school will give you a job as an NQT. Even if they have a vacancy, you will most likely have to apply as usual.

On my course I think only about 7 people got jobs at their training schools. Not to mention the fact that some people didn't actually want to work there for another year, even if a job was advertised!