School-led teacher training
School-led teacher training is delivered by school partnerships and enables you to train on the job.
Schools have been given more control over the recruitment and training of physics teachers in recent years. This means you can now train to teach via several school-based courses:
- School Direct
- School Direct (salaried)
- School Centred Initial Teacher Training
- Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship (salaried)
- other teaching programmes: Now Teach, Teach First and Transition to Teach
All of the following school-based training programmes are open to graduates. If you are not a graduate, see our university-led teacher training information.
School Direct
You will be based in a school that will deliver training specifically tailored to your requirements and the school's needs.
You can expect to spend the majority of your time in the classroom (possibly also with partnership schools) helping to build your confidence in a school environment.
The remaining time will be spent with a partnered initial teacher education (ITE) provider to develop your theoretical understanding of teaching and pedagogy. There is an expectation on the school to employ you once you become a qualified teacher.
Duration
The programme usually lasts for one year and is full time. Some courses provide flexible training options.
Qualifications
All School Direct places lead to qualified teacher status (QTS) and many, though not all, will also award you a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) validated by a higher education institution (HEI).
Funding
UK-resident students could be eligible for:
- a training bursary for the 2022/23 academic year of up to £24,000 tax-free. Bursaries are paid by your initial teacher education (ITE) provider during your course. Full details regarding bursary eligibility are available from Get into Teaching.
- an IOP Teacher Training Scholarship for those undertaking a physics teacher training course with an accredited provider. We have 175 scholarships available providing £29,000 tax-free funding and IOP support. Find out more and apply.
Please note, you will be charged tuition fees by your ITE provider. UK students may be eligible for a loan to cover the cost. More information about tuition fee loans can be found on the student finance website.
Applying
Applications for both school- and university-led training are made through the Department for Education’s ‘Apply’ service. You are required to submit a personal statement and details of your academic and work experience.
Richard’s School Direct story
"I had a difficult time during my school years which led to low attendance and a lack of motivation. However, when I started my A-levels I had a very inspirational teacher. This teacher gave me a passion to study and a passion for physics, turning a reluctant student into an interested scientist. This gave me drive and enabled me to succeed in my studies.
"I went on to study electronic engineering at university and now I am training to become a physics teacher via a School Direct course. I am most looking forward to the hands-on experience in school. I know this is potentially the hardest part, but the challenge of diving straight in was the draw of the School Direct training programme.
"Being granted an IOP scholarship has enabled me to join a network of physics teachers and trainee teachers who are able to provide a support network. This is epitomised in my IOP mentor; a physics specialist who I can bounce ideas off."
School Direct (Salaried)
This training course is suitable for high-quality graduates with three years or more of career experience. Graduates are also often expected to have some relevant school experience.
You will be employed by a school, paid as an unqualified teacher and train while working. Once qualified you will continue to work at the school paid as a qualified teacher. The structure will vary between schools and will be determined by individual school needs and your own experience.
You will attend training activity days during the year-long programme and will work on a reduced timetable until you qualify.
Duration
The programme usually lasts for one year and is full time. Some courses provide flexible training options.
Qualifications
All School Direct places will lead to QTS and many, though not all, will also award you a PGCE validated by a higher education institution.
Salary
You will receive a salary from your employing school.
Applying
Applications for both school- and university-led training are made through the Department for Education’s ‘Apply’ service. You are required to submit a personal statement and details of your academic and work experience.
School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)
Similar to the School Direct model, your training will take place at a group of neighbouring schools, with a lead-school taking overall responsibility for your development. This course allows you to gain experience in more than one school environment.
Duration
The course usually lasts for one year and is full-time. Some courses provide flexible training options.
Qualifications
You will gain QTS at the end of your SCITT. Some courses will also award a PGCE, so if this is important to you check before applying.
Funding
UK-resident students could be eligible for:
- a training bursary for the 2022/23 academic year of up to £24,000 tax-free. Bursaries are paid by your initial teacher education (ITE) provider during your course. Full details regarding bursary eligibility are available from Get into Teaching.
- an IOP Teacher Training Scholarship for those undertaking a physics teacher training course with an accredited provider. We have 175 scholarships available providing £29,000 tax-free funding and IOP support. Find out more and apply.
Please note, you will be charged tuition fees by your ITE provider. UK students may be eligible for a loan to cover the cost. More information about tuition fee loans can be found on the student finance website.
Applying
Applications for both school- and university-led training are made through the Department for Education’s ‘Apply’ service. You are required to submit a personal statement and details of your academic and work experience.
Charlotte’s SCITT Story
"I decided to train to become a physics teacher because I enjoy working with young people and spreading my enthusiasm for science. I took a School Centred Initial Teacher Training course and I was awarded a PGCE in Science with Physics.
"One of the highlights of my training year came early on when showing a year 7 group a video of far too many balloons being squished inside a container with liquid nitrogen. The video captured the imagination of everybody in the class and I was bombarded with questions on liquid nitrogen. It felt very special to have triggered such curiosity in students.
"I was awarded an IOP Teacher Training Scholarship which offered me valuable financial support during my training year and provided me with a range of other help. The Institute of Physics workshops, which were free for me to attend, introduced me to a range of exciting practical lessons and also showed me where I could find more practical ideas."
Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship (Salaried)
Similar to School Direct (Salaried) programmes, Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships are a nationally recognised, work-based training course. In addition to working towards QTS on successful completion of the course, apprentices also complete an end-point assessment after the summer to consolidate learning from initial teacher training.
It is an alternative to a traditional full-time university course, offering a postgraduate-level qualification, no tuition fees, and the opportunity to earn while you learn.
Duration
The programme lasts for one year and is full-time.
Qualifications
You will gain QTS by the end of this course.
Salary
You will receive a salary from your employing school.
Applying
Applications are submitted through the Department for Education’s ‘Apply’ service where you can find more detailed information about the application process.
Other teaching programmes
Teach First
Teach First is a charity working to bring educational equality for all, regardless of background. Participants embark on a two-year Leadership Development Programme where they are placed, trained and supported to raise the achievement, aspirations, and access to opportunity of pupils from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
Now Teach
This programme is for people who've already had a successful career in the public or private sector and are looking to move into teaching. Participants embark on school-based teacher training with support from Now Teach and access to a network of fellow Now Teachers.
Transition to Teach
Transition to Teach offers free and bespoke support for those who are facing redundancy and have an interest in teaching.
Participants receive a two-year support package, lasting from the initial exploration of the teaching profession, through to the end of the first year as a Newly Qualified Teacher.
Subject knowledge enhancement courses
If your degree did not include enough physics to get you onto an ITE course, you can take a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course. You will need some experience of physics though, usually to A-level standard. These courses vary in length, depending on your needs, and are offered by many higher education institutions in England.
Find out more about SKE courses.
Contact us
If you'd like to get in touch please email [email protected].