Secondary Teacher Training Courses

A one-year course to gain Qualified Teaching Status (QTS), a PGCE with up to 60 Master’s Credits to train to become an Early Career Teacher.

Course Structure

We pride ourselves on the support we offer to our trainees throughout our course. During all phases of the course you will have a personalised timetable that allows you to develop and excel in the necessary skills to become a teacher to students of all backgrounds, abilities and dispositions. Trainees’ development is continually supported by the work of experienced teachers, mentors and leaders. Your timetable will include:

  • observations of expert practitioners within your subject
  • a gradual build up to solo teaching through paired planning and co-teaching of groups
  • a main placement – where you will be From September to Christmas and return Easter to the end of the course
  • dedicated time allocated to developing your subject knowledge to become an expert in your field
  • dedicated planning time to support you with managing your workload whilst on the course
  • a second placement of around 8 weeks in a contrasting school so that you can experience a variety of pupils and educational settings.

We firmly believe that the most effective teachers are reflective teachers. You will reflect on your practice throughout the course with subject mentors, classroom teachers and course leaders. In addition, you will complete termly reviews and have termly review meetings to critically analyse your progress and practice and set appropriate targets for your emerging needs. You will work your way to demonstrating and consistently demonstrating our training curriculum and in successfully doing so you will have evidenced the Teachers’ Standards by the end of the programme.

You will present and discuss your progress with the SCITT team in termly presentations and commentaries. You will track your journey through the teacher training year by means of your Trainee Portfolio. You will complete assignments towards your PGCE qualification which are delivered and awarded by the University of Worcester.

Our training programme has been broken down into five phases and these are detailed below. Our Professional Studies curriculum and our Subject Studies Curricula reflect the stage of the programme and the content of these sessions reflects the abilities of trainees at this point.

Phase One |  September – October

  • Pre-Course Induction completed in July
  • Teacher training begins with Barr Beacon SCITT in September
  • Professional Studies sessions are hosted at Barr Beacon SCITT at the start of the course
  • Induction to Main Placement Partner Schools
  • Induction to the PGCE along with PGCE sessions
  • Outstanding practice modelled and the theory and practice of learning and teaching is analysed and mediated
  • Subject Studies sessions commence
  • First experiences of teaching through a graduated induction

Phase Two |  October – December

  • The theory gained during induction is applied in classrooms in main placement schools
  • The first phase of whole-class teaching 6 solo lessons, 6 collaborative lessons
  • Individual support from expert school subject leaders and subject mentors
  • Professional Studies and Subject Studies continue
  • Subject Knowledge Focus Week is introduced to consolidate the learning from Term 1
  • Term 1 report is written by the main placement school mentor

Phase Three |  January – March

  • Intensive week at the start of the term consisting of Professional Studies and PGCE sessions
  • Trainees complete a contrasting school placement for 8 uninterrupted weeks and in addition trainees attend a second placement induction for 2 days prior to the commencement of the second placement
  • Extending teaching repertoire through the application of the materials learned in Professional Studies and Subject Studies
  • Timetabled teaching hours increase to 12 solo lessons
  • Primary Placement is completed for 3 days
  • Additional support from the second school mentor, who writes the Term 2 Report
  • Trainees visit and receive targeted, specialised and practical training in a number of our partner schools through our carousel weeks.

Phase Four |  April – June

  • Intensive week at the start of the term of Professional Studies
  • Trainees return to their main placement school to consolidate their teaching
  • Teaching classes, groups and individual children, progressing to 15 hours
  • Supported and assessed by school-based mentors – Final Report Written
  • Embedding subject knowledge for teaching and supporting pupil progress
  • QTS Presentations are presented and Trainee Portfolios are submitted at the end of the course

Phase Five |  July – ECT

  • Completion of programme
  • QTS recommended
  • Employment in Education
  • Continued SCITT support for ECTs
  • ECT induction programme in partnership school

Our Subject Courses

Explore the subject courses that we offer.

Mathematics (11-16)

Apply Here.

English (11-16)

Apply Here.

Biology (11-16)

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Chemistry (11-16)

Apply Here.

Physics (11-16)

Apply Here.

French (11-16)

Apply Here.

Spanish (11-16)

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German (11-16)

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Computing (11-16)

Apply Here.

Business Studies (14-19)

Apply Here.

Geography (11-16)

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History (11-16)

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Psychology (14-19)

Apply Here.

Physical Education (11-16)

Apply Here.

Religious Education (11-16)

Apply Here.

Entry Requirements

  • There are both academic and non-academic entry requirements for the Barr Beacon SCITT Initial Teacher Training programme. The SCITT has overall responsibility for ensuring that all applicants are able to demonstrate that they meet these national, statutory requirements by the start of the programme.

  • A Degree: We normally require a degree classification of a 2:2 or above (or equivalent). This is usually an Honours degree, ideally at secondary (but not necessarily) in a subject applicable to the teaching subject applied for. In all cases, successful completion of a degree will form part of the conditions of an offer.

  • Grade C/4: We require a Grade C or Grade 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English Language or Literature, Mathematics and a science subject. In all cases, passing English Language/Literature, Mathematics and Science GCSEs at minimum Grade C or 4 will form part of the conditions of an offer.

  • All documentation provided to the SCITT must be an original copy. Our list of candidate checks can be found here.

  • Course Cost 2024/2025: £9250

    Funding Information can be found here.