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

Sign up.

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.

Get an adviser.

4. Research training courses

From 8th October 2024, 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.

Alternately, visit the Get into Teaching events page,  here.

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.

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.

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.

Postgraduate bursaries and scholarships

Bursaries and scholarships are available to trainees on tuition fee-based teacher training courses in England that lead to the award of qualified teacher status (QTS).

Receiving a bursary or scholarship depends on:

– highest relevant academic award

– ITT subject

– In languages and physics, trainees starting courses in the academic year 2024 to 2025 will not need to be eligible for student finance to be eligible for a bursary or scholarship. In all other subjects, trainees are only eligible for a bursary or scholarship if they are entitled to support under the student finance criteria.

Non-UK trainees should read Train to teach in England as a non-UK citizen. Applicants with a degree from outside the UK should use Teach in England if you trained outside the UK.

Scholarships also come with a package of additional benefits from the relevant scholarship body:

– tax free scholarship

– membership to the professional body

– subject specialist events and webinars held by professional bodies

– online and face-to-face workshops across the country

– subject specialist mentors and coaching

– community of scholars (ex-scholars, teachers, subject leaders)

– access to classroom resources

– continuing professional development (CPD) and networking events during ITT year and Alumni

– Scholarships are applied for separately to ITT and only awarded to high calibre students who pass a robust application and interview process in one of the specialist subject areas. Scholarships are awarded instead of a bursary.

Scholarship applicants should apply to the relevant scholarship body, details are available on Get Into Teaching.

 Further guidance on postgraduate bursaries and scholarships is available in the initial teacher training (ITT) bursary: funding manual.

SKE courses 2024 – 2025 are being offered in

• chemistry
• computing
• languages
• mathematics
• physics

SKE courses are designed for ITT trainees who need to gain the depth of knowledge needed to train to teach their chosen subject. Carrying out an SKE course must be set as a condition of your ITT offer. Your ITT provider must deem that without the course you would be highly unlikely to meet the subject knowledge requirements of the Teachers’ Standards by the time your ITT is completed and qualified teacher status (QTS) is awarded.

To be eligible for a DfE funded SKE you must meet the following criteria:

• Have SKE set as a condition of your ITT offer
• Have applied for the minimum SKE course length as guided by your ITT provider
• – Your ITT subject focus and SKE match
• If your degree matches your ITT subject focus, it must not have been awarded in the last five years
• Have a degree (2:2 grade or higher) to access course and bursary funding. If you have a Third-class honours, an Ordinary degree, or an equivalent degree from a non-UK university you can access course funding but not a bursary
• If you have been awarded a joint degree in the past 5 years and there is a direct match between one of the degree subjects and the chosen ITT subject you will not be eligible for a SKE. Please check with your ITT provider regarding physics and MFL: exceptions may apply to non-UK applicants.

Self-funded SKE courses

If you would like to develop your subject knowledge and confidence but are not eligible for a DfE-funded SKE place, you can apply for one of our self-funded SKE courses. These are available in three different route options, depending on which subject you choose and whether you require tutor support. Find out more

Course delivery

Most SKE courses are delivered 100% online and on-demand via e-learning platforms. This allows you to learn in your spare time in the week and fit your course around your existing personal and professional commitments. You can access course materials, lessons and tutorials from any internet-enabled device, anywhere in the world, at any time, making learning extremely flexible.

The DfE recommend that you should study 25 hours per week on a full-time SKE course to develop appropriate subject knowledge in preparation for your ITT. Providers encourage you to submit weekly assignments to support this recommendation and to ensure you complete the course in the set number of weeks. This adheres to the DfE expectations for bursary payments, if you’re eligible.

You’ll be supported by a pathway tutor who will provide weekly feedback, monitor your learning and give updates on your progress to you and your ITT provider. Your subject knowledge will be assessed throughout your course and at compulsory SKE assessment points to ensure that you’re engaging with the course and making good progress.

Course materials consist of a range of tasks, including:

• Pre-recorded interactive lectures
• Subject specific tasks to complete
• Reading-related articles
• Self-assessment exercises
• Subject-focused activities for discussion on class forums
• Learning diary reflections

You’ll have access to all the topics and study sessions as part of your SKE so you can carry out further self-study and make links across the curriculum. If you’re a single science applicant in biology, physics or chemistry, you’ll have access to all the science topics as we understand that most teachers will teach all three.

Part-time SKE courses

Some providers offer part time study. Part-time option allows you to spread the recommended 25 hours of weekly learning time over a fortnight, so an eight-week SKE course would take 16 weeks to complete, covering the same material.