Primary Routes

An OUTSTANDING provider

In 2022, we were rated ‘Outstanding’ by OFSTED.
Click here to read the report

We offer two routes into Primary Education:

  • 5-11 (Key Stages 1 and 2)
  • 3-7 (Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1)

Course Overview

Both of our Primary SCITT routes award successful trainees with a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The Postgraduate Certificate of Education is awarded by Birmingham City University and successful completion of the course gives you 60 credits towards a Masters qualification.

During the 37-week programme your time is divided between three contrasting school placements and training sessions throughout the year at a wide range of our partnership schools

The school placements will be in different Key Stages. You will also have a week of experience at a Special School, a Key Stage 3 experience and an Early Years Foundation Stage Experience. During your school placements you will be supported by a Learning Coach (who is the usual classroom teacher), Professional Coach and the Primary Course Leads who will guide you in your professional development both in your role as a teacher and academically. 

School-based training sessions take place in a range of primary schools within our partnership and enable you to gain valuable practical and hands on experiences. These are planned to introduce current pedagogy, national and local initiatives, as well as areas identified by previous cohorts and existing practitioners as most important for becoming a teacher in the 21st century. Specialists and Outstanding Teachers facilitate these sessions, where you work with children as well as participating in interactive workshops. You will become highly reflective and able to identify how to take the skills learnt into your own classroom practice.

You will be assessed using a broad range of evidence gathered during the teaching experiences and three Postgraduate Certificate of Education assignments that focus on the Core Curriculum, Foundation Studies and Professional Studies & Leadership.

Aims of the Programme

Our teacher training programme aims to ‘grow our own’ teachers to work within our local alliance and the region as a whole. We have designed the course to give you all the basics in the first term, building up your teaching timetable gradually as your confidence increases. 

Our primary course produces highly skilled graduate teachers who:

  • are resilient
  • are committed to an ‘open classroom’ ethos where best practice is developed through observing, collaboration and a commitment to ongoing professional development
  • have a deep level of understanding of teaching and learning
  • demonstrate a passion for their subject and working with young people
  • exhibit professionalism in the workplace allowing reasoned judgement to be made in varying situations

This will be achieved through:

  • increasing the amount of time an Associate Teacher spends in the classroom
  • a focus on core teaching skills including reading, mathematics and managing behaviour
  • working with outstanding practitioners on a day to day basis
  • having access to outstanding departments in outstanding schools
  • experiencing schools in a wide variety of different settings

Salaried Route (QTS with possible PGCE)

We have a limited number of places for the salaried route and, typically, only applications that are supported by a sponsor school will be successful. 

This course is suitable for those with substantial experience in education already or are currently working as unqualified teachers in one of our partner schools. 

You will be provided with core training through release from your employing school but will be expected to teach a larger proportion of lessons, often unsupported, and will be employed by the host school. You are not eligible for a government bursary when training on this route, but your employing school will pay you a salary as an unqualified teacher.

If you want to sponsor a salaried trainee in your school, please contact jembleton@atlp.org.uk

How to Apply

Applications will be open from the start of October the year before commencement until the following August of the entry year.

Applications can be made through Apply-for-teacher-training (Provider code 1QN)

If invited for an interview you will be expected to provide evidence of your qualifications, information about past experiences and education.

We are looking to select trainees with outstanding potential with commitment and enthusiasm for working with young people. The academic requirements set out by the Department for Education to enter the profession are:

  • A grade C/Grade 4 (or better) in GCSE English and Mathematics and Science
  • An honours degree (at least a 2.2) or above, or international equivalent approved by Ecctis.
  • All applications for teacher training with the Arthur Terry SCITT must be made through Apply for Teacher Training.
  • Please be aware that we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship for overseas candidates.

All successful applicants will be required to complete an enhanced DBS clearance prior to commencing the course in September.

Arthur Terry SCITT will request you to complete a Health Check through Corazon Health Services prior to commencing the course to ensure you have the health and physical capability to teach.

We will complete a right to work check, and complete a disqualification and prohibition to teach check. Referees may be contacted for further information if required.

Arthur Terry SCITT aims to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone can reach their full potential. The SCITT provides opportunities for candidates to share any special arrangements or reasonable adjustments throughout the application and induction process.

Find out what our Primary Associate Teachers think of us

Designated as a SCITT in 2012, we have successfully trained over 300 teachers. Our SCITT teachers are highly sought after and our latest data shows that 95% have been employed in the region with many going on to secure leadership roles. The SCITT’s success has been built on building a robust collaborative partnership with regional schools, enhanced by a strong delivery team of outstanding subject specialists, who are still practising teachers.