About Initial Teacher Training
Anyone wishing to teach must complete initial teacher training (ITT). There are various ways you can complete and fund your ITT either as part of your degree, after a degree, at a college or university or through selected teaching schools, like North East SCITT!
School-Centered Training
Our programme will give you the opportunity to learn to teach 'on-the-job'. Unlike traditional teacher training courses, our school-based course will mean that from the outset you are in the classroom, interacting with pupils and teachers and learning first hand the knowledge and skills you'll need to become an outstanding teacher.
QTS and PGCE on successful completion
11-month course starting each September
Tax-free funding of up to £31,000 available
Course overview
The North East SCITT teacher training programme is an 11-month, full-time course that runs from September to July each year.
Full-time course
Our full-time course will consist of four days in school and one core training day with your North East SCITT cohort. You will work around school hours of 8am til 4pm usually with an earlier finish on Fridays, however these times will differ slightly depending on your placement schools.
July: Flying Start Week
You will be invited to an optional training week in July, before your course begins, to enable you to 'practice' teaching before stepping into the classroom. It is not compulsory, however, it would be extremely beneficial to attend if you are able, to help you prepare for September. The training days will also include intensive training and practice (ITaP) sessions on managing behaviour and relationships.
Autumn term
You will begin your main school placement on your very first day in September, where you will stay until the Christmas break. The course fully immerses you in school life from the offset, allowing you will shadow and learn from brilliant teachers. You will not be expected to teach on your first day in school, your timetable will gradually build up and increase as the year progresses. You will also benefit from core training days every Thursday with your North East SCITT cohort.
Spring and summer terms
You will begin your second 'contrasting school placement' in January. The aim of the contrasting placement is to provide trainees with a broader experience, so you can get a better understanding of what type of school you would like to work in. You will return to your main school placement after the February half term until the end of the course. Core training days with your North East SCITT cohort will continue til the end of the course.
Location
With over 70 partner schools across the North East, you will be matched to schools near home whenever possible.
North East SCITT
North East SCITT is based at our founding school, The Academy at Shotton Hall, in Peterlee. This is where your interview will be held, unless otherwise agreed.
Placement schools
Your school placements will be organised by North East SCITT. Schools will be matched to you based on subject/phase, your home location and availability.
Core training days
You will benefit from weekly core training sessions with your North East SCITT cohort each Thursday. We are thrilled to be launching our new Northumberland training hub from September 2025. This means trainees will have the option of attending their core training days at our main training hub, Traynor House in Peterlee, or our new Northumberland hub, Meadowdale Academy in Bedlington.
Assessment
You will receive Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) on successfully completing the course.
QTS
Assessment is ongoing throughout the year which will include observations and teaching evidence from yourself, mentors and SCITT tutor. You will be assessed against the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) curriculum throughout the year and against the Teachers' Standards at the end of the course.
PGCE
You will have three assignments to complete for your PGCE qualification, two written assignments throughout the year, and one online presentation towards the end of the course. On successful completion, you will gain 60 credits towards a masters.
Eligibility
Initial teacher training eligibility criteria:
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Bachelor's degree graded 2:2 or above (or equivalent). For secondary subjects, your degree must relevant to the subject you would like to teach.*
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GSSE in maths and English graded 4/C or above (or equivalent)
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GCSE in science graded 4/C or above (or equivalent) for primary candidates only
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A Statement of Comparability from ENIC for overseas candidates only
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Successful safeguarding checks to ensure you have the right to teach
*For secondary candidates - if your degree is not relevant to the subject you would like to teach, you may still be eligible if you have an A level graded B or above in that subject.
Fees and funding
From the start of the 2025-26 academic year tuition fees for teacher training programmes with the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) will be £9,535 for full time teacher training courses.
Fees
From the start of the 2025-26 academic year tuition fees for teacher training programmes with the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) will be £9,535 for full time teacher training courses. Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy and will be subject to the maximum fee limits set out in Regulations.
Bursaries and scholarships
You could be entitled to a bursary of up to £29,000 or a scholarship of up to £31,000. Bursary amounts will vary depending on your teacher training subject and degree classification. Find out more below. Applicants may be eligible for a bursary if they have a 1st, 2:1, 2:2, PhD or master's.
Student finance
You may be eligible for student loans to help fund your ITT year. You may also be entitled to additional funds for reasons such as low income and caring for disabled children. Find out more information here.
How to apply
Applications are open for our primary and secondary teacher training course places starting in September 2025. Applications are submitted through the Department of Education Apply portal, linked here.
Provider code
Find us by searching NIoT@North East SCITT (L06)
Application steps
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Click here to complete your initial teacher training application
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Your application will be screened
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You may be asked to complete further information for safeguarding purposes
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If your application is successful, you will be invited to interview
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Candidates will usually receive a decision on the day of the interview
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Accept your offer to secure your place
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Onboarding tasks
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Prepare for September
FAQs
Deciding what route to choose for your teacher training can be difficult and we know you must have plenty of questions.
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What is a SCITT?SCITT stands for School Centred Initial Teacher Training. It is a route to becoming a teacher that allows you to train in schools and is the perfect blend of hands-on school experience and academic learning.
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How is SCITT different to other teacher training routes?SCITT training starts in school from day one, meaning you are exposed to outstanding teachers (and excitable children!) from the outset. Being constantly absorbed in a school environment means you can start building up the skills you need to become an incredible teacher before you start teaching your first lessons. But don’t worry, we ensure you have a perfect balance between study and hands-on experience and you will not be asked to teach a lesson before you are ready. We are also a Research School, which means that all our practice is supported by the best available educational research that translates into great classroom-based practice. All our training practices are underpinned by educational research to ensure that you have access to and can effectively utilise the best available research in your classroom, so we know we are giving you the best possible experiences and development opportunities that aid your transition to teaching.
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What phases and subjects does North East SCITT offer teacher training in?We offer primary (ages 5-11) and secondary (ages 11-16) teaching phases. Our primary courses are: Primary Primary with maths Our secondary school subjects are: Biology Chemistry Computer science Design and technology Drama English Geography History Maths Modern foreign languages Music PE Physics Religious education
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Are there limited spaces for the different courses?Yes, though it varies by subject and phase. We recruit throughout the year but some courses fill up very quickly, such as history and primary, so if you are keen to apply then we would recommend that you get your application in early. However, we do consider applications right up to the end of the academic year (June/July), if we still have spaces available.
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Why does North East SCITT offer both QTS and PGCE?As part of our SCITT programme, in partnership with the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT), trainees will be awarded both Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) on successfully completing the course. We do this as we believe it equips you with the reflective and professional expertise to make you the best possible classroom practitioner. In addition to receiving your PGCE, you will also earn 60 credits towards a Masters in Education if you choose to pursue this at a later date.
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Where does the SCITT training take place?Core training sessions take place every Thursday from one of our training hubs. Our main training hub is located at Traynor House in Peterlee however from September 2025 we are launching our new training hub at Meadowdale Academy in Bedlington. This means trainees have two location options for their core training sessions with North East SCITT. Training will start at your main placement school on your very first day in September. Trainees will also complete a shorter 'contrasting placement' in January for six weeks before returning to their main placement schools for the remainder of the course. With over 70 partner schools across the North East, placements are matched to trainees based on home location, subject/phase and availability.
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Do I have to find my own teaching placements?No, this will be arranged by the North East SCITT team. We have a network of over 70 schools across the North East that we match to trainees based on subject/phase and location. We also consider personal circumstances of trainees which can be discussed in more detail at the interview stage. Many trainees do not drive or have family commitments close that they need to consider - we will always match trainees to schools close to their home address whenever possible.
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I'm a TA, can I be placed at the school I'm currently working at?This is something we are happy to explore but please be aware we cannot always guarantee this option. Feel free to get in touch to chat with a member of the team.
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What funding is available to complete the SCITT year?Take a look at our funding information here.
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What does the SCITT year look like?Take a look at our month-by-month course breakdown here.
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How long does the course take to complete?The course takes 11 months to complete and is full time.
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What is SKE and how can I access it?You can find information on Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) here.
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What is the assessment process for the SCITT year?For the QTS qualification, your progress is mapped throughout the year at key formative assessment points with your SCITT tutor and your school mentor. This culminates in a final summative assessment at the end of the year. All assessments are carried out in a supportive way and at points which correspond with your development opportunities. There are three assignments for the PGCE qualification, two written assignments, and one online presentation towards the end of the course.
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How am I supported during the SCITT year?Every trainee is allocated a SCITT tutor, based on your subject and phase. Your tutor will support you both academically and pastorally throughout the year. Our support begins even before you apply where we set aside time to discuss your options and your application with you. You’ll have one-to-one pastoral catch ups throughout your training as well as several wellbeing events through the year. Support doesn’t end when you leave the course either – we pride ourself on being there for you when you become a new teacher through regular contact – our door is always open!
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Will I get support from the SCITT to secure a teaching job after I have completed the course?We support and guide all our trainees in applying for teaching positions. We help with personal statements when writing an application, provide mock interviews, and help you to prepare fully for the interview day itself . Teaching interviews can be very different to those for other industries, so we take the time to make sure you’re prepared.
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Can I apply to teach a subject that I haven’t got a degree in?All trainees must be educated to degree level. If your degree is not relevant to the subject you would like to teach, but you have an A level graded B or above, you may still be eligible to train in that subject. We consider qualifications and professional experience on an individual basis and we are happy to talk with you about your personal circumstances. Every trainee is different and we like to give you the best chance of success with your application. Feel free to give us a call to discuss your circumstances on 0191 518 0222.