How to choose the right ITT course

Where will you train? Will it be funded? How much classroom experience do you gain?

South Yorkshire hosts a variety of teacher training courses approved by the Department for Education. Throughout Sheffield and Rotherham you’ll be able to find courses for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) that combine professional learning, academic study and hands-on experience in the classroom.

The South Yorkshire Teaching Hub has been developed to collate all the school-led & other routes into teaching in one place and provide you with the information to make an informed decision about the right teaching course for you.

Think about location

Do you want to live or teach in a specific area?

Choosing a teacher training course in the area you want to settle in will open many doors for you in the future. You can start making contacts and learn about the different schools and opportunities available in the locality.

Some trainees are lucky enough to gain their first job in one of the schools they trained in so having that direct experience when you apply can really set you apart from the competition.

Have you looked at the cost of living in the area?

Salaries vary depending on location so check the cost of living is relative to the salary you are likely to be earning.

What is transport and travel like in the area?

Consider how you will commute to work and whether it’s a manageable and viable option for you. Check out Travel South Yorkshire, and Sheffield Travel and Transport for info about travel and transport across South Yorkshire:

Does the area support your needs for enrichment and entertainment?

Everyone needs a good work-life balance. When you’re not teaching, consider whether the area will complement your personal life and hobbies. We’ve had a look at what you could be doing in and around South Yorkshire and listed some of the best opportunities Sheffield and Rotherham have to offer below:

Will you need a budget for the cost of relocation?

If you are considering moving to be near to your training, don’t forget to factor in moving costs. You could be moving from an area that has a higher cost of living; that’s a decision many people make when they see how comparatively low the cost of living is in Yorkshire.

Whilst we can’t answer all your questions, if you have any questions regarding relocating to our region when selecting a course, please email us and we’ll be happy to help info@southyorkshireteachinghub.com.

Scrutinise the course

When selecting a course you need to ensure it meets your needs and is right for you.

What should your course include?

All teacher training courses must include:

A minimum of 120 days in at least two schools to give you practical classroom experience.
Academic study to give you the knowledge and understanding to teach successfully.
An assessment of your teaching skills against national teaching standards.

All of the courses delivered by school-based providers tend to provide training so that you can achieve:

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS): this is a requirement for all teachers in state schools in England.
An academic qualification, such as a PGCE or PGDE.
Credits towards a Master’s degree.

What is the right type of course provider for you?

We bring together the school-led routes into teacher training across South Yorkshire. These tend to be either School Direct or SCITT courses.

So what’s the difference? Well, they both provide a mixture of:

School-based placements: usually at least two placements in contrasting schools. You will be part of the staff team at the school, observing and eventually delivering lessons. You will have your own mentor (a current teacher), who will help you understand school life and support you in your development.
Professional development: these are training sessions run by the school-based provider in a range of subjects, e.g. managing behaviour; special educational needs; communicating with parents; designing lessons; child development; barriers to learning – to name just a few! They are delivered by professionals working in schools, who understand the reality of teaching and can provide relevant support and expertise.
Academic learning: this takes place at a partner university and is delivered by specialist academic staff. You will have the opportunity to explore your own subject knowledge away from the classroom and to reflect on classroom experience. Examples of topics covered include: reflecting on approaches to teaching; professional practice and curriculum studies (specific to your subject).

The main difference between a School Direct course and a SCITT course is who provides the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). With School Direct this is awarded by the university; whereas SCITTs accredit it themselves and often provide additional professional school-based opportunities.

When choosing the right course for you, we’d suggest you ask yourself:

Does the course support your learning type?
Will you have an opportunity to grow a network of peer support?
Will you be assigned a personal mentor?
Will you have opportunities for in-classroom experience?
How many schools will you be able to train in?
Check out the course placement schools; do they look like the type of school you’d like to train in?

To help you, we’ll be showcasing all the main providers in our area as well as colleagues who have gone through this process over the Autumn term so you can hear from them about the courses, the process and their experiences.

And remember, if it still seems confusing, we are always here to help and can give you advice and information on the options available so you make the right decision for you info@southyorkshireteachinghub.org.

Explore funding options

There are different options you can check out depending on the phase you’ve chosen, the subject you want to teach, and your personal circumstances. However, please bear in mind that these funding options are not guaranteed.

Scholarships and Bursaries

For some courses, you can get get a bursary of up to £24,000 or apply for a scholarship of up to £26,000. This is tax-free money that you don’t need to pay back.
To be eligible for a bursary you’ll need a first, 2:1 or 2:2 degree, a PhD, or a Master’s.
For scholarships, the criteria are set by each professional scholarship body so you will need to ask the course provider for more information.

Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loans

You can apply for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 to cover the full cost of your course. Maintenance loans are to help with your living costs, these loans can be up to £12,050.

Tuition fee loans:

are redeemable for the full course fee of £9,250, regardless of your household income.
are paid directly to your training provider from Student Finance England.

Maintenance loans:

are available for all trainees regardless of your household income, and cover at least the minimum loan amount for your living costs. If you are not living at home this will be £4,289 or £3,410 if you’re living at home.
are capped at a maximum of £9,203 if you are not living at home.

It makes no difference if you already have a student loan, you can still apply for the tuition fee and/or maintenance loan. Your monthly repayments will not be increased and you won’t have to pay a penny back until you’re earning over the threshold. Both loans are available for all subjects regardless of your qualifications.

Use the government’s Student Finance Calculator to check your eligibility

Extra financial support

Extra financial support is available if you have a disability or if you have children or adult dependants. This is available to all trainees, regardless of the subject you’re teaching and you do not have to pay it back.

Visit the Get into Teaching’s Extra Financial Support webpage for more information.

School Direct (Salaried)

School Direct is an employment-based route for high-quality graduates, typically with at least three years’ experience of transferable work history. You’ll earn a salary while you train towards your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) recommendation, and won’t need to pay any tuition fees.

Please note, information about fees, bursaries and scholarships can change. Please check the government’s Get into Teaching website for the latest information.

How to apply

Check out our step-by-step guide on how to apply, and for convenience, here are the highlights:

Apply in good time. The Application window usually opens in October and runs until the following summer – with the course starting in the following September.
Check that you meet the course requirements. If you are unsure, contact the course provider.
When applying you get three choices for teacher training courses so identify and select three options but please be aware you may not get accepted on all courses, so carefully consider your options.
If you are changing career, include your full history of employment including any gaps. This is vital and will allow course providers to see the wealth of experience you can bring to the classroom .
Arrange your references. Consider who you will ask and ensure they are happy to provide a reference.
Write your personal statement. This is what makes you stand out during the application process, so ensure it’s given the time it needs.

Now you have considered some of the important factors you should have more confidence in choosing the best option for you. Take a look at our library of school-led routes into teacher training.