Primary

What will I learn?

Our research-led course will give you plenty of practical experience. Our curriculum focuses on supporting you to put learning into practice and places you in school four days a week from early September until the end of June.

The programme balances excellent subject specific expertise with a deep understanding of effective teaching methods and includes an emphasis on teacher wellbeing.

Our programme also includes a six-week placement in a second educational setting later in the year to ensure that you qualify with broad teaching experience.

You will undertake six modules across the year – one per half term. In each module you will have self-directed study sessions, live seminars and time to collaborate with other trainees within your placement teaching school hub.

The modules cover all areas of the Core Content Framework providing an integrated understanding of common teaching practice and subject / phase methodology. Each module will provide you with opportunities to practise and apply your learning in the classroom.

What are the training commitments?

Before you enter the classroom, we’ll give you two weeks of intensive training which focuses on areas of core pedagogy such as behaviour management and working with pupils with additional needs.

You will have a further two weeks of intensive training later in the year.

Once you start your placement you will have weekly training sessions with us – designed by Teach First’s expert curriculum designers – and sequenced to make sure you are focused on the areas of teaching that are most relevant to that point in the academic year. These weekly sessions will be a mixture of online and in-person training, supported by online self-directed study content.

What support will I receive?

As an unsalaried trainee you will ease into teaching by shadowing other teachers, before leading your own lessons with guidance from your more experienced colleagues.

You will work with a range of skilled and knowledgeable colleagues (known as subject mentors and lead mentors) who will ensure that you are well supported across your training.

Your mentors also receive support and training from us and Teach First to ensure that they are briefed on the latest research and can tailor their coaching to suit your needs.

Costs

The course fees for UK students in 2022 to 2023 are £9,250.

The tuition fees for UK/EU students are typically: Full-time: £9,250 per year

Bursaries and scholarships are available to trainees.

Visit the DfE webpage about funding and support for more information (Funding: initial teacher training (ITT), academic year 2023 to 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Apply

We’re open for applications for a September 2023 start. Please apply using the DfE apply service Apply for teacher training – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) – choosing “One Cumbria Teaching School Hub” – and your application will be forwarded onto us for assessment.

Before you apply, please make sure that you meet our eligibility requirements:

An undergraduate degree, or equivalent.

  • You will need to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the subject you are applying to teach, either through your degree qualification, your A Levels or relevant experience.
  • Grade 4 (C) or above in English and Maths GCSEs, or equivalent qualification.
  • To teach Primary, you will also need Grade 4 (C) or above in Science GCSE.
  • We will not consider candidates with pending GCSEs. Functional skills qualifications are not equivalent to Maths and English GCSEs.
  • We accept most equivalency test providers. You will need to have passed your GCSE equivalency test before applying to our programme; we will not be able to process your application until you have passed.
  • Overseas qualifications will be reviewed by ENIC to ensure they meet programme requirements. If you have any questions about the programme or the application process, contact us on itt@onecumbria.education

School placements

  • Our ITT partnership is firmly rooted in carefully planned and nurtured existing relationships and recognition, and has as its aim an opportunity to make our county the best place in the country to train as a teacher over a complete career path, from ITT to National Professional Qualification – a genuine ‘Golden Thread’.
  • We have a network of partner schools across the whole county of Cumbria, ranging in size, location and phase. We will leverage our existing partnerships with schools across the county to find quality placements for our ITTs. These are carefully chosen, research-informed, designated lead schools.
  • Our curriculum focuses on supporting you to put learning into practice to have an impact on pupils during a four day a week core school placement from mid-September to July.
  • You will have one day a week to engage in training and development to support your teaching practice, as well as a six-week placement in a different school. The programme balances developing your subject knowledge and expertise alongside giving you a deep understanding of effective teaching methods and techniques to manage your workload and wellbeing.
  • When you are in your school placement, you will work closely with a highly skilled and knowledgeable mentor and also spend time with other expert teachers, observing their lessons and learning how to teach and plan lessons and throughout the year practise your own teaching.

Personal qualities

We think these attributes make great teachers:

  1. Humility, respect and empathy. These attributes will help you quickly build relationships that get the best out of everyone involved.
  2. Interaction. Communicating clearly, listening carefully and responding appropriately.
  3. Planning and organising. Trainees manage daily responsibilities and juggle lots of priorities.
  4. Problem solving. Come up with considered, effective and appropriate solutions to the challenges trainees face.
  5. Resilience. Teaching isn’t easy. You’ll need patience, energy and a positive mindset to persevere through the difficult times.
  6. Self-evaluation. Personal development is vital for long-term success.

Financial support

You may be eligible for a student loan. These are normally for undergraduate courses but you can also apply if you do postgraduate teacher training. Find out how much loan you could get using the student finance calculator.

Depending on your immigration status, financial support may not be available. Find out about training to teach if you’re a non-UK citizen.

Interview process

The initial stage of selection is reviewing your application.

  • We ensure your qualifications meet our entry requirements and your personal statement indicates you have a passion for education and your specialised subject.
    • If you are successful, you will be invited to interview at one of our partner schools.
  • The interview day is usually within 20 working days of receiving your application.
  • The interview process will include the following:
    • opportunity to ask questions/obtain further information
    • a panel interview
    • a subject-specific taught lesson
    • subject knowledge assessment

International candidates

You’ll need the right to study in the UK. You already have this if, for example, you:

  • are an Irish citizen
  • have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (you may still be able to apply)
  • have indefinite leave to remain in the UK

If you do not already have the right to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa. The main visa for fee-paying courses (those that you have to pay for) is the Student visa.

To apply for a Student visa, you’ll need to be sponsored by your training provider.

Sponsorship is not available for this course.

If you need a visa, filter your course search to find courses with visa sponsorship.

Alternatively, check if you’re eligible for a different type of visa, such as a Graduate or Family visa, that allows you to train to be a teacher without being sponsored.

Find out more about training to teach in England.

Ready to start your journey as a teacher, then click on the button

Apply Now for September 2023

If you have any further questions, please contact Judith Schafer (One Cumbria Director) at schaferj@onecumbria.education