Teacher Training
We are delighted to announce that from September 2024 we will be offering the following initial teacher education training programmes for those who may be looking to progress into a career in teaching or training in the Lifelong Learning Sector, including sixth form and further education colleges, adult education and a wide range of other training and educational settings. Applications are welcome from individuals with industrial skills and/or relevant academic qualifications who have a passion for teaching and training learners aged 14+.
Entry requirements for each programme are detailed below, but all applicants must have:
- Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (this can be completed through the College before the start of the programme, but costs will need to be met by the trainee)
- Satisfactory references
- Complete a satisfactory interview
Applications are welcomed from those from under-represented groups and diverse backgrounds
Level 3 Award in Education and Training
Are you interested in a career in teaching or training? This course provides an introduction to the necessary skills and knowledge required to prepare, plan, deliver and evaluate teaching and learning sessions in a variety of teaching or training contexts. You will learn about the key responsibilities of a teacher, including theories of learning, motivation and assessment.
As there is no minimum teaching practice requirement, this course is suitable for those who are not yet in a teaching role, but are interested in pursuing a career in teaching or training. It is also beneficial for those who are already training others as part of their current role and would like to gain a recognised teaching qualification.
Upon completion of the course, trainees will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach in further education, adult and community learning. As well as leading to employment opportunities as a teacher or trainer, it can also be a stepping stone to progress to obtaining a Certificate in Education or Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Lifelong Learning.
Duration: 12 weeks at approximately 3-4 hrs per week
Delivery model: 1 x half day or evening per week (dependent on cohort preferences)
Assessment: 3 x internally assessed assignments + a microteaching session
Cost: £400
How to Apply: Complete an application form
Certificate in Education – Lifelong Learning (Level 5) – full and part-time
This course is aimed at those who are already working as a teacher or trainer at a recognised training or educational establishment within the education and training sector (in-service) as well as those who are not currently working within a teaching or training environment (pre-service). It is particularly suitable for those who have work experience and/or qualifications in industry including IT, business and administration, hair and beauty, health and social care, early years, uniformed public services, construction and allied trades, engineering, catering and hospitality and many other vocational areas.
Trainees will need to undertake a minimum of 250 hours of paid or voluntary work as a teacher or trainer at a recognised training or educational establishment and identify a work-based mentor who can support them in their specialist subject.
Entry requirements:
- Have qualifications at Level 3 or above, eg HNC, CGLI Advanced, NVQ Level 3/4 or other professional qualification
- Level 2 maths and English, eg GCSE grade 4/C or functional skills
- The ability to demonstrate appropriate work experience in the area you wish to teach
- If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent.
- Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered.
Duration: 1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Delivery model: Full-time – 2 days per week + tutorial. Part-time study option available
Part-time – 3 hrs per week + tutorial (day or evening sessions dependent upon cohort preferences)
Programme Modules/Course Content:
4 x core modules:
- Research Informed Teaching
- Learning and Assessment
- Becoming a Subject Specialist Teacher
- Being a Subject Specialist Teacher, Policy and Professional Issues
Assessment Methods:
Assessment includes a variety of methods such as practical micro-teaching sessions, resource design, portfolio, conference paper and written assignments.
Cost:
Full-time - £9250
Part-time - £3775 per year
How to Apply: Complete an application form
Professional Graduate Certificate in Education - Lifelong Learning (Level 6) – full and part-time
Postgraduate Certificate in Education - Lifelong Learning (Level 6/7) – full and part-time
Postgraduate Diploma in Education - Lifelong Learning (Advanced PGCE) (Level 7) – full and part-time
These courses are for teachers or trainers who are working with, or wish to work with, young people or adults aged 14+ in the education and training sector and are particularly suitable for those who have work experience and/or qualifications in industry including IT, business and administration, hair and beauty, health and social care, early years, uniformed public services, construction and allied trades, engineering, catering and hospitality and many other vocational areas.
You will be supported in developing your teaching skills, reflect on current ideas about education and training and creatively explore the professional opportunities open to you. You will learn alongside other teachers and trainers and develop the necessary skills to teach in the education, training and skills sector. You will have the opportunity to develop the skills to play a full part in teaching and curriculum development. The course allows you to focus on your particular subject specialist area, alongside general teaching in the lifelong learning sector. A significant amount of your learning happens in your place of work or work placement, allowing you to put theory into practice.
These courses do not award the status of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS), however, there is an option to gain QTLS through a process of professional formation through the Society for Education and Training. QTLS is the full professional status for teachers in the Lifelong Learning Sector.
Trainees will need to undertake a minimum of 250 hours of paid or voluntary work as a teacher or trainer at a recognised training or educational establishment and identify a work-based mentor who can support them in their specialist subject
Entry requirements:
- Have a UK degree or equivalent related to your specialist area
- Level 2 maths and English, eg GCSE grade 4/C or functional skills
- Relevant work experience in some specialist subject areas
- If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent.
- If you already hold a teaching qualification at level 4 or above, or have substantial knowledge and experience of teaching, you may be able to make a claim for accreditation of prior learning.
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Delivery model
Full-time – 2 days per week + tutorial. Part-time study option available
Part-time – 3 hrs per week + tutorial (day or evening sessions dependent upon cohort preferences)
Programme Modules/Course Content:
4 x core modules:
- Research Informed Teaching
- Learning and Assessment
- Becoming a Subject Specialist Teacher
- Being a Subject Specialist Teacher, Policy and Professional Issues
Assessment Methods:
Assessment includes a variety of methods such as practical micro-teaching sessions, resource design, portfolio, conference paper and written assignments.
Cost:
Full-time - £9250
Part-time - £3775 per year
How to Apply: Complete an application form
Tuition Fees and Financial Support
All tuition fees for Certificate in Education, Professional and Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Postgraduate Diploma in Education are funded via Student Finance England (SFE) for both full and part-time study (subject to meeting criteria).
Repayments only begin once the course is finished or the trainee leaves the course and if their income is over the payment threshold, which is £25,000 for 2024-2025.
Student maintenance loans are also available for full and part-time study options. Additional training bursaries are available for pre-service trainees studying specific subjects.
Go to Funding and finance for students - GOV.UK for more information.
Bursaries
A tax-free pre-service bursary of up to £30,000* is available for initial teacher education trainees studying the Certificate in Education, Professional and Postgraduate Certificate in Education and Postgraduate Diploma in Education who choose to teach the following subjects:
- Mathematics - £30,000
- Science, including biology, chemistry or physics - £30,000
- Computing - £30,000
- Engineering or manufacturing - £30,000
- English - £15,000 (capped at 100 places)
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) - £15,000
*subject to meeting eligibility criteria. These are the latest figures for the 2024-25 academic year
For more information, contact Tracey Herridge, Programme Lead for Teacher Education and Training - t.herridge@s6f.org.uk
