PGCE School Direct

What is School Direct?

School Direct is a government-led initiative that seeks to place schools at the centre of Initial Teacher Education (ITE). Working with University of Roehampton, our partner schools take a leading role in recruiting trainee teachers and in designing and delivering the training programme.

There are two possible routes if you are thinking of training via School Direct:

School Direct Training Programme (salaried)This is open to high quality graduates, often to people coming to teaching from other careers. Applications are made to individual schools or alliances of schools. The schools pay a salary based on that of an unqualified teacher but there is no government bursary paid for secondary specialisms that attract a bursary for those on the tuition fee route. Trainees carry out training both at Roehampton and within their school alliance.

School Direct Training Programme (tuition fee)This route is open to all high quality graduates. Applications are made to individual schools or alliances of schools. The trainee can receive a bursary from the government at a level determined by the subject/phase of training and the trainee’s degree class. Trainees carry out training at Roehampton and within their school alliance.

Both routes lead to a PGCE with 60 Master’s credits on successful completion. There will be three assignments across the year, each leading to 20 Masters level credits. You will spend at least 120 days in school over the year long programme, and will also attend classes at Roehampton. Your main placement will be in the school that you have applied to and there will also be a shorter placement in another school which will add breadth to the experience.

You will be visited in school by a university tutor, and you will have a mentor in school. The training at Roehampton will enable you to reflect upon your practice within the broad context of educational theory so that you will feel equipped to teach in any school.