'They learn how to make a positive difference to
the education life chances of pupils'.
Ofsted, 2023
School Direct at Turton
School Direct at Turton is an Initial Teacher Training programme – a lead partner within the Liverpool John Moores University partnership.
Our teaching hub is based at Turton School, Bolton, along with our partnership schools in and around the locality, expanding out to Greater Manchester, East and West Lancashire.
We offer a 1 year full-time training programme via Early Years, Primary or Secondary routes, awarding PGCE with QTS at the end of the course
1. The University
University tutors will deliver the PGCE element of the programme (two academic assignments).
You will have a university (liaison) tutor, who will act as a link between LJMU and SDatTurton. Their role is to support you whilst quality assuring the programme. Lecturers and tutors travel to the SDatTurton training hub in Bolton to deliver all training sessions on Wednesdays (secondary) and Fridays (primary).
2. ITT Lead Partner
From the selection process through to recommendation for QTS, we deliver our centre-based training at our training hub, at Turton School, Bolton, as well as allocating placements and assessing your performance.
We support your through the journey by visiting you regularly at your placement school and having regular check ins at the training hub on training days. We offer professional advice, guidance and personal support, as well as access to specialist teachers and experts in education.
3. Placement School
Placement days are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (all programmes) and Friday (secondary only). The team will also consider your travel arrangements, and aim to place you no longer than a 30 minute drive away.
You will be allocated an ITT mentor who will support you in your day to day training, in addition to the SDatTurton team and university tutor.
I have had the most incredible journey this year, facing some of my most challenging days. It has all been worth it in the end as I have developed into a confident professional, with the ability to reflect critically on my practice.
We are delighted to be working with our university partner, Liverpool John Moores University, who support our aims of working creatively and flexibly with you, to provide the highest quality training.
The PGCE with QTS programme gives you 60 credits towards a Master’s degree.
We are proud of our reputation and strategic partnerships with the university and partnership schools across the North West.
'When we set up our School Direct programme we wanted to work with a university partner who shared and supported our aims of working creatively and flexibly, to provide the highest quality training.
We found exactly what we wanted in the team at LJMU. Collaboration is a shared value and together we have designed and delivered a ‘first of a kind’ teacher training programme for Bolton. This route and this programme have proven to be excellent ways for schools in Bolton and across the North West, to work together to identify and grow talented teachers. We are proud of our partnership and excited to see what the future holds'.
Jo Parr, Programme Director, School Direct at Turton
'We are fully committed to working with schools to ensure the supply of a well-qualified, committed and socially engaged workforce able to take on the challenge of ensuring that all learners succeed. We know that genuine collaboration with school partners is key to the success of our initial teacher education programmes. We take our responsibility of listening to schools seriously and strive to involve our school partners in all that we do, from recruitment and course design and development, to the award of Qualified Teacher Status.'For more information about how LJMU work in partnership with lead schools across the North West, click here
They had a vision and track record across primary and secondary phases and like us, had a desire to be innovative, whilst achieving excellent outcomes for everyone. We all recognised the strength that partnership could bring to ITT
.
A shared vision and respectful relationships drove the development of School Direct at Turton and collaboratively we designed and began to deliver an ITT curriculum in Bolton, in partnership with schools across the northwest.
Here we are eight years later with a programme that skilfully melds theory and practice and a reputation for ITT that the whole team is proud of. With thirty five years classroom teaching experience behind me, working with student teachers is exciting and developmental. Every day I learn so much from working with new talent.'
Originally qualifying as a Law graduate, to completing a subject knowledge enhancement course in Computing, I have been fortunate enough to teach not one, but two different curriculums in secondary and sixth form settings, developing my own pedagogy and practice, which I have been eager to pass on to aspiring teachers.
It has been a privilege to work on the School Direct team, to support talented individuals who want to join the teaching profession as experts in their field. Following our rigorous training programme designed by LJMU and School Direct at Turton, it has been a pleasure to watch, year on year, our student teachers flourish into skilful practitioners that thrive in the classroom and truly make a difference to the lives of students within our community. '
After training with School Direct at Turton and establishing myself as a classroom teacher, I wanted a role that would allow me to work with new teachers who are having the same experiences as I did in my training year.
Being a professional mentor allows me to train, support and celebrate with the future of this brilliant profession!'
I got involved in mentoring because I think it’s important to do everything we can to support the next generation of teachers. I’ve learnt so much from colleagues in my development, and still do, so it’s wonderful to be able to shape new teachers and guide them on their journey. I really appreciated that support during my formative years and working closely with new teachers seems like the best way to ‘pay back’ that support. '
'The LJMU Partnership recognises that school ITT Mentors are fundamental to the quality of the student teachers' learning experiences and to the success of individual student teachers and our ITE programmes.'
Every student teacher is allocated an ITT mentor - a member of staff at their placement setting, whose role is to support them in developing their pedagogy through modelled practice. The mentor will conduct weekly meetings with the student, to celebrate moments of success and identify further areas for development, against the benchmark expectations.
They will guide, assess and support the student from induction, through to triangulation - the final part of training where QTS is recommended, based on the students' performance and evidence collated throughout the training year.
Subject Knowledge Leads
We recognise that all student teachers will join the course at different starting points, which is why we provide a rigorous and and successful subject knowledge development strand to our ITT programme.
Utilising the expertise of our partnership, every student teacher will have access to subject knowledge development, via planned weekly sessions delivered at our SDatTurton training hub, by experts in the field.
Ofsted, 2023.
The Post Graduate Certificate in Education: Primary (Age 3-7 Years) (Code: 2Y6N) programme provides an intensive training experience, tightly focused on providing you with the skills, knowledge and attributes you will need when embarking on a teaching career. Based on training geared to meeting the Teaching Standards and Qualified Teacher Status, as a post graduate programme it also supports the development of a high degree of:
* Critical understanding of education theory and practice relevant to the subject area
* Reflective practice linked to professional development
* Practitioner research skills for effective teaching and learning
* Deep understanding and application of subject knowledge
Assessment:
Achievement of the Teaching Standards required for QTS is assessed through the development of a portfolio of evidence based on your experience and practice in schools, and an assessment of performance in practice during the programme.
The PGCE academic assignments have been designed to complement and support the professional development you are engaged in during the school based element of the training programme. They involve a number of short written components; investigations and evaluations of school-based teaching and learning and presentations. All are designed to support you in linking student’s practical experience with your engagement and reflection on research in order to have a positive impact on student’s classroom practice and your pupils’ learning.
Support:
In school, the expertise of your Initial Teacher Training Mentor and Professional Mentor will enable you to make excellent progress through regular feedback. The department and school you work in will support you, both in terms of developing your pedagogic skills and any challenges you may face. At university, the highly qualified and respected academic team combines specialist knowledge and creative research with hands-on teaching experience. This combination of academic and professional expertise from school and university helps ensure that you are well equipped to meet the opportunities available to today’s teaching professionals.
Tutorial support at university is an important part of the process and you will receive a personalised service that will enable you to set targets and fulfill your potential.
Enrichment:
Trainees are expected to engage with a variety of enrichment experiences that challenge and extend their repertoire of skills and enhance employment potential. Such activities may include supporting learners in community based education projects and a variety of schools in our partnership.
The Post Graduate Certificate in Education: Primary (Age 5-11 Years) (Code: 2XMB) programme provides an intensive training experience, tightly focussed on providing you with the skills, knowledge and attributes you will need when embarking on a teaching career. Based on training geared to meeting the Teaching Standards and Qualified Teacher Status, as a post graduate programme it also supports the development of a high degree of:
* Critical understanding of education theory and practice relevant to the subject area
* Reflective practice linked to professional development
* Practitioner research skills for effective teaching and learning
* Deep understanding and application of subject knowledge
Assessment:
Achievement of the Teaching Standards required for QTS is assessed through the development of a portfolio of evidence based on your experience and practice in schools, and an assessment of performance in practice during the programme.
The PGCE academic assignments have been designed to complement and support the professional development you are engaged in during the school based element of the training programme. They involve a number of short written components; investigations and evaluations of school-based teaching and learning and presentations. All are designed to support you in linking student’s practical experience with your engagement and reflection on research in order to have a positive impact on student’s classroom practice and your pupils’ learning.
Support:
In school, the expertise of your Initial Teacher Training Mentor and Professional Mentor will enable you to make excellent progress through regular feedback. The department and school you work in will support you, both in terms of developing your pedagogic skills and any challenges you may face. At university, the highly qualified and respected academic team combines specialist knowledge and creative research with hands-on teaching experience. This combination of academic and professional expertise from school and university helps ensure that you are well equipped to meet the opportunities available to today’s teaching professionals.
Tutorial support at university is an important part of the process and you will receive a personalised service that will enable you to set targets and fulfill your potential.
Enrichment:
Trainees are expected to engage with a variety of enrichment experiences that challenge and extend their repertoire of skills and enhance employment potential. Such activities may include supporting learners in community based education projects and a variety of schools in our partnership.
The Post Graduate Certificate in Education for secondary based subjects provides an intensive training experience, tightly focussed on providing you with the skills, knowledge and attributes you will need when embarking on a teaching career. Based on training geared to meeting the Teaching Standards and Qualified Teacher Status, as a post graduate programme it also supports the development of a high degree of:
* Critical understanding of education theory and practice relevant to the subject area
* Reflective practice linked to professional development
* Practitioner research skills for effective teaching and learning
* Deep understanding and application of subject knowledge
Assessment:
Achievement of the Teaching Standards required for QTS is assessed through the development of a portfolio of evidence based on your experience and practice in schools, and an assessment of performance in practice during the programme.
The PGCE academic assignments have been designed to complement and support the professional development you are engaged in during the school based element of the training programme. They involve a number of short written components; investigations and evaluations of school-based teaching and learning and presentations. All are designed to support you in linking student’s practical experience with your engagement and reflection on research in order to have a positive impact on student’s classroom practice and your pupils’ learning.
Support:
In school, the expertise of your Initial Teacher Training Mentor and Professional Mentor will enable you to make excellent progress through regular feedback. The department and school you work in will support you, both in terms of developing your pedagogic skills and any challenges you may face. At university, the highly qualified and respected academic team combines specialist knowledge and creative research with hands-on teaching experience. This combination of academic and professional expertise from school and university helps ensure that you are well equipped to meet the opportunities available to today’s teaching professionals.
Tutorial support at university is an important part of the process and you will receive a personalised service that will enable you to set targets and fulfill your potential.
Enrichment:
Trainees are expected to engage with a variety of enrichment experiences that challenge and extend their repertoire of skills and enhance employment potential. Such activities may include supporting learners in community based education projects and a variety of schools in our partnership.
We are currently accepting applications for the following subjects:
Art and Design (2Y6M)
Biology (2Y6L)
Business Studies (2Y5V)
Chemistry (2y6K)
Computing (2Y6J)
Dance (2Y6H)
Design and Technology (2Y6G)
Drama (2Y6F)
English (2Y6D)
Geography (2Y6C)
History (2Y6B)
Mathematics (2Y69)
Modern Foreign Languages (2Y67)
Music (2Y66)
Physical Education (2Y5X)
Physics (2Y64)
Religious Education (2Y5Z)
Psychology and Social Science (2Y62)
Our programme differs from other, more traditional teacher training routes in that you are placed in a home school for the majority of your training. We discuss home school placements when you have accepted any offer we might make.
There is a university-based, week long induction at the start of September.
Your school-based experience takes place largely in a Home School, supported by teachers invested in teacher education. We have found that being in a Home School ensures that you are fully integrated into school life and get to know staff, pupils and your ITT Mentor extremely well, to the benefit of all involved. A member of LJMU staff is attached to each school and is responsible for visiting regularly in order to support you and your mentor.
All trainees are entitled to weekly review and feedback meetings with their mentors and to tutorials with LJMU staff, ensuring that you are supported from start to finish, personally and professionally.
A 6 week placement will be undertaken in January in a complementary setting. The most striking difference is the university involvement. Liverpool John Moores University deliver the academic programme on site, at Turton School.
School based training involves the preparation and delivery of learning sequences and lessons to small groups and whole classes of learners, with expectations and workload increasing during the course. This work is supported by your Initial Teacher Training Mentor who will support your professional learning experience in school.
The course is delivered through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, interactive workshops, group discussion and reflection, problem solving and micro-teaching. We also make full use of the University’s Virtual Learning Environment.
This programme is tightly focussed on providing you with the skills and knowledge required. Your Personal Tutor will meet with you to monitor progress, provide guidance and advice and set targets for your development.
Your ITT Mentor will organise and supervise your school-based training and will in turn be supported by an LJMU Tutor who will visit school several times during the year to support you.
You should have or expect to achieve an Undergraduate degree (or recognised equivalent) in your subject specialism or related discipline normally with significant content in your chosen subject area. The degree classification should be at 2:2 or above.*
*PE – 2:1 degree classification
*Physics – 3rd degree classification
GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent qualification)
For Primary applications, GCSE Science at grade C/4 or above is also required.
Please note: original evidence of GCSE passes (or equivalent) and your degree (if you have already graduated) will be requested at interview. Level 2 numeracy and literacy qualifications are not considered as equivalent . If you have non-standard qualifications please check their suitability with ecl-recruit@ljmu.ac.uk
1. Check your eligibility
Before you apply for teacher training you’ll need to make sure you’re eligible. Although different training providers may have specific recruitment criteria, there are some basic eligibility requirements you’ll need to meet to become a teacher in England. Check your eligibility.
2. Get personalised guidance to your inbox
Get one step closer to the classroom with guidance tailored to you, including how to get:
- a taste of teaching
- funding to train
- one-to-one support
- advice from trainees or newly qualified teachers
3. Get a Teacher Training Adviser
An experienced teaching professional can help if you’re ready to get into teaching or if you’re returning to teaching and qualified to teach maths, physics or languages.
4. Research training courses
From 5 October 2021, search for training courses by using the Department for Education’s Find postgraduate teacher training service
(Link opens in new window). You can search by location, training provider and subject to find the course best suited to you.
5. Reflect on (or get some) school experience
Demonstrating how any voluntary time you have spent in school has shaped your view of teaching is vital to a good application. If you haven’t managed to get some time in a school yet, some schools are offering the opportunity for candidates to undertake school experience both in school and virtually. You can search for schools and apply using our Get School Experience(Link opens in new window) service.
6. Start lining up your references
You’ll need a couple of referees to provide references for your application. Now is a good time to start approaching people who might be able to provide these for you. Getting references in place is one of the most common causes of delay in the application process, so any preparation you can do now could speed things up considerably when you make your application.
7. Engage with the world of schools and teaching
Something that many teacher trainer providers will be looking for in an application or interview is an understanding of current issues and thinking in teaching. It’s worth following other teachers and education media outlets like Schools Week(Link opens in new window) and TES(Link opens in new window) on social media. Teachers are very active on Twitter and share lots of helpful insights, tips and resources. You will soon find your own favourites, but we’d suggest looking at ITTchat(Link opens in new window) or Teacher Toolkit(Link opens in new window) to get started.
8. Get some advice at an event
Our Train to Teach events will provide you with a wealth of information and help you turn questions to confidence on your journey to the classroom. At some of our Train to Teach events you can meet a whole range of local training providers; at others you’ll have the chance to put your questions to a panel of experts. Some events are in person and others replicate the experience online. Book your place.
9. Join our support networks on social media
Our Facebook groups for aspiring teachers(Link opens in new window) and people thinking of a career change to teaching(Link opens in new window) offer a really friendly, supportive place to connect with other people applying for teacher training and ask any questions you might have. Our Teacher Training Advisers are also on hand to give expert advice.
All interviews will take place at one of the schools in our partnership, with a member of the School Direct at Turton strategic team.
During the interview, there will be:
- an introductory meeting with a member of the School Direct at Turton training team and where possible, lead of the programme.
- a teaching task, prepared in advance and delivered on the day of your interview.
- a panel interview designed to identify your suitability and commitment to teaching. The interview will be conducted by two members of the Initial Teacher Education team and will explore your experiences and provide you the best opportunity to demonstrate you knowledge, understanding and desire to become a teacher.
- subject knowledge assessment (PGCE Secondary only)
- subject knowledge assessment (literacy and numeracy focus PGCE Primary only).
- identity and qualification checks. You will be expected to provide: Photo ID (passport or driving license), GCSE Certificates or equivalent (including English & Maths at grade C / 4 or above and for Primary – Science grade C/4 or above) and Degree level certificate where appropriate.
Have you done your research?
No two teacher training interviews will be the same, so you need to be able to tailor your approach. Make sure you do your research about the school(s) or university that will be leading your training. If successful, you’ll be with them for a year (and possibly longer if one of your placements leads to employment).
When you receive an invitation for an interview, read it very carefully so you know exactly what to expect. Most invitations will contain a series of tasks for you to complete ahead of the interview:
- a review of personal documentation including examination certificates
- a planned lesson – the topic will be given to you prior to the day of the interview
- an individual interview, which could be one-to-one or with a panel
- a written task, or tasks, which could involve a literacy test and/or subject-based test
So you’ll need to make sure you’re prepared for every eventuality to improve your chances of making a great impression.
What qualities do you bring to teaching?
You’ll need to be sure you can provide compelling reasons for why you have all the right qualities for teaching. These include two specific areas for you to think about:
1. Why do you want to be a teacher?
2. Why are you suited to teach your subject and age groups?
In addition, think carefully about your
- commitment and reasons for wanting to get into teaching and an understanding of how you can make a difference as a teacher
- awareness of what you can bring to the course you’re applying for – both in terms of your subject knowledge and the ethos of the school(s) or university leading your training
- ability to explain what you’ve learnt from your school experience
- application of transferable skills from any previous employment to teaching
- understanding of current policies and practices in education and teaching in general
You may have already given a lot of thought to these areas when crafting your written application. That’s a good start, but don’t be complacent and hope reciting that will carry you through.
And, as with any interview, you’ll be expected to demonstrate good personal, intellectual and communication skills – in fact, as a prospective teacher, these are vital skills.
Postgraduate teaching bursaries and scholarships are only available for the subjects listed below. You cannot receive both a teaching bursary and a scholarship.
You must be eligible for student finance to receive a bursary or scholarship (unless you’re training to teach physics or languages).
You cannot receive a scholarship or bursary if you’re on a salaried teacher training course.
| Subject | Bursary | Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Art and design | £10,000 | |
| Biology | £25,000 | |
| Chemistry | £28,000 | £30,000 |
| Computing | £28,000 | £30,000 |
| Design and technology | £25,000 | |
| English | £10,000 | |
| Geography | £25,000 | |
| Languages (French, German and Spanish only) | £25,000 | £27,000 |
| Languages (all other languages, including ancient languages) | £25,000 | |
| Maths | £28,000 | £30,000 |
| Music | £10,000 | |
| Physics | £28,000 | £30,000 |
| Religious education | £10,000 |
Bursaries
You do not need to apply for a bursary. If you’re eligible, you’ll automatically receive it.
To be eligible for a bursary, you’ll need at least one of the following:
- a bachelor’s degree class 2:2 (honours) or higher
- a master’s degree
- a PhD
If your course combines 2 subjects (for example, English and history), at least 50% of your course content must be made up of the bursary subject to be eligible.
You’ll also need to meet the bursary scheme’s individual terms and conditions.
Find out more about your eligibility for teaching bursaries(opens in new window).
Postgraduate teaching bursaries and scholarships are only available for the subjects listed below. You cannot receive both a teaching bursary and a scholarship.
You must be eligible for student finance to receive a bursary or scholarship (unless you’re training to teach physics or languages).
You cannot receive a scholarship or bursary if you’re on a salaried teacher training course.
| Subject | Bursary | Scholarship |
|---|---|---|
| Art and design | £10,000 | |
| Biology | £25,000 | |
| Chemistry | £28,000 | £30,000 |
| Computing | £28,000 | £30,000 |
| Design and technology | £25,000 | |
| English | £10,000 | |
| Geography | £25,000 | |
| Languages (French, German and Spanish only) | £25,000 | £27,000 |
| Languages (all other languages, including ancient languages) | £25,000 | |
| Maths | £28,000 | £30,000 |
| Music | £10,000 | |
| Physics | £28,000 | £30,000 |
| Religious education | £10,000 |
Bursaries
You do not need to apply for a bursary. If you’re eligible, you’ll automatically receive it.
To be eligible for a bursary, you’ll need at least one of the following:
- a bachelor’s degree class 2:2 (honours) or higher
- a master’s degree
- a PhD
If your course combines 2 subjects (for example, English and history), at least 50% of your course content must be made up of the bursary subject to be eligible.
You’ll also need to meet the bursary scheme’s individual terms and conditions.
Find out more about your eligibility for teaching bursaries(opens in new window).
They helped me become more familiar with some key aspects of teaching before being given more focussed training and development. I felt more prepared for my training year and entered the programme on day one a lot more confident than anticipated.
I have been given one to one coaching and direct feedback throughout the entire process of applying for a job. I have been able to approach all professionals involved with the programme to support me in getting a permanent teaching role in September.
If you want more information about our programme, feel free to email the team at sd@turton.uk.com,
or call us on 01204 333233, ext. 6218
School Direct at Turton
Turton High School
Bromley Cross Road
Bolton
BL7 9LT
