School-centred initial teacher training

Taught by experienced, practising teachers, and often tailored towards local teaching needs, all SCITT courses lead to qualified teacher status (QTS). Many, though not all, will also award you the postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) validated by a higher education institution.

If you prefer to spend more time training in the classroom, putting theory into practice and gaining confidence through increased contact with the school environment, then a SCITT programme is a good option for you.

How long does SCITT take?

Courses generally last for one year full-time.

These courses are one academic year running from September to June. Some start earlier; The National SCITT in Outstanding Primary Schools, for example, starts in August.

Where can you do SCITT?

There are consortia of schools and colleges running SCITT courses all over England. These groups provide all kinds of SCITT, covering primary, middle years and the full range of secondary subjects. There are currently no SCITTs running solely within Wales. However, some consortia run on the English/Welsh border and may use Welsh schools as part of their programmes.

You will usually be based in one school from the consortium – the 'lead school' – while completing teaching practices at others within the group.

What qualifications do you need?

You need a UK degree or a recognised equivalent qualification. Your degree should relate to the subject you want to teach (if primary, that means the core subjects of the national curriculum) – if it doesn’t, you might be able to complete a pre-training course to get your knowledge up to the required level.

To train as a teacher, on any programme you must achieve a standard equivalent to a grade C in GCSE English language and mathematics. If you want to teach primary or key stage 2/3 (ages 7-14), you must also have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in a GCSE science subject.

Is there any additional funding available?

Eligible trainees completing SCITT courses in England are entitled to receive a tax-free training bursary of £6,000-£9,000. The precise amount depends on the subject and course start date.

In addition to funding such as this, you may be eligible to receive taxable 'golden hello' payments (or teaching grants in Wales) worth between £2,500 and £5,000, depending on the subject, after successfully completing your induction period as a newly qualified teacher (NQT).

You can find full details of funding for postgraduate teacher training and full details of bonus payments for new teachers on this website.

Funding arrangements from 1 August 2008

For trainees starting primary postgraduate ITT courses after 1 August 2008, the bursary will be reduced from £6,000 to £4,000.

For trainees starting secondary postgraduate English, dance and drama ITT courses after 1 August 2008, the bursary will be reduced from £9,000 to £6,000. Trainees on these courses will not be eligible to receive a golden hello.

How do you apply?

In most cases, you need to apply for SCITT courses through the graduate teacher training registry (GTTR), although some SCITT providers require direct applications. You can apply to up to four different providers, in order of preference.

Visit the GTTR website for full details of available courses and methods of application.

When should you apply?

SCITT courses follow the academic year, so to start your training in September or October you generally need to apply through the GTTR or directly to the provider during the preceding academic year before.