School Direct is now Initial Teacher Training (ITT)

The announcement follows an extensive market review that stated its intention is ‘to make England the best place in the world to become a teacher’.

Originally proposed in 2019 as part of the Department for Education’s recruitment and retention strategy, the main aim of the review was to:

1. Create more supportive school cultures and reduce workload
2. Transform support for early career teachers (ECTs)
3. Ensure teaching remains an attractive career as lifestyles and aspirations change
4. Make it easier for great people to become teachers
5. Improve the quality and consistency of curriculum and their delivery

The review is part of a broader set of reforms to teacher training and professional development for school leaders and sets out to address the inequalities in teacher training, address the teacher training cold spots that have been revealed throughout the UK, and to ensure the consistent provision of high quality initial teacher training in line with the core content framework (CCF) and early career framework (ECF).

In this blog, you'll learn more about why School Direct has been renamed, and also the benefits of following a school-based route to becoming a qualified teacher.

Why choose Initial Teacher Training (ITT)?

Our ITT course is delivered in partnership with several schools in Essex, Greater London and Kent. It’s designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge and qualifications to become a great teacher. The course leads to qualified teacher status (QTS), a requirement for teaching in most schools in England, and there's also the option to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

What will ITT help me achieve?

• Gain QTS and an optional PGCE: By choosing the PGCE, you'll gain an additional academic qualification awarded by the University of East London (UEL).

• Develop a deep understanding of your specialism, whether you aspire to teach primary or secondary students.

• Acquire practical teaching skills: Teaching is a hands-on profession and our course will prepare you accordingly, providing you with innovative ideas and engaging activities to use in the classroom.

• Have an immersive school-based learning experience: By working as a member of a school team you'll gain the real-world experience that is invaluable for aspiring teachers. Your firsthand exposure to school environments will help you to build a solid foundation for your teaching career.

• Focus on reflective practice and critical thinking skills: Effective teaching requires continuous self-reflection and critical thinking and our ITT course emphasises the development of these skills. Through self-evaluation and reflection, you'll consistently grow and improve as a professional educator.

• Acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for effective teaching and learning: Our ITT curriculum is designed in conjunction with the Department for Education's ITT Core Content Framework.

What are the entry requirements?

To be eligible for our ITT course, you must:

• Have achieved a GCSE grade 4/C in English language and mathematics (and science for primary level trainees).
• Hold a Bachelor's degree from a UK higher education institution or an equivalent qualification.
• If you've studied English as a foreign language you may be required to provide evidence that you have passed a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at level B2 or above.
• Possess the appropriate qualities, attitudes and values expected of a teacher, such as resilience, commitment and adaptability, along with good communication skills.
• Show competency in fundamental skills in English and maths before the award of QTS.
• Complete all necessary safeguarding checks and meet the Secretary of State's requirements for health and physical capacity to teach.
• Meet the DfE’s financial eligibility criteria for a publicly funded place on the ITT course.

You'll find more information on the entry requirements on our course page.

How is the course delivered?

Our ITT course is delivered in partnership with 10 lead partners across Essex, Greater London and Kent who work collaboratively with the ITT programme team to design, deliver and quality assure their ITT programmes.

We offer a primary (age 5-11) and a secondary (age 11-16) ITT course, covering a wide range of subjects, and offer two routes: ITT employment based and ITT fee-funded, both lasting one academic year. Throughout your training, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals, gradually assuming teaching responsibilities and attending professional development training. 

What support will I receive?

Throughout your ITT course, you'll receive comprehensive support and guidance from experienced mentors and subject/phase-specific pathway tutors.

You'll have weekly meetings with your in-school mentor, who will provide you with ongoing support and guidance. Your Tes Institute pathway tutor will also offer regular feedback on your progress and assist in developing your subject knowledge and teaching skills.

Our online teaching courses, delivered through an interactive e-learning platform, enable you to study flexibly and access course materials. Regular partnership face-to-face workshops provide opportunities for you to contextualise your training and network with colleagues from your school partnership.

What is the PGCE option?

If you'd like to further develop your knowledge of teaching and learning and gain a Master's level qualification, both our ITT routes offer an optional PGCE awarded by the University of East London (UEL). By choosing this option, you'll complete additional written assignments specified by UEL.

Want to learn more about Initial Teacher Training (ITT)?

Take a look at our ITT course page. Alternatively, if you’d like to discuss the course with our enrolment team please email us at institute@tesglobal.com.

You can hear what some of our graduates think about the course in these videos.

Watch Simmi's story