About Initial Teacher Training
Anyone wishing to teach must complete initial teacher training (ITT). There are various ways you can complete and fund your ITT either as part of your degree, after a degree, at a college or university or through selected teaching schools, like North East SCITT!
School-Centered Training
Our programme will give you the opportunity to learn to teach 'on-the-job'. Unlike traditional teacher training courses, our school-based course will mean that from the outset you are in the classroom, interacting with pupils and teachers and learning first hand the knowledge and skills you'll need to become an outstanding teacher.
QTS and PGCE on successful completion
11-month course starting each September
Tax-free funding of up to £31,000 available
Course overview
The North East SCITT teacher training programme is an 11-month, full-time course that runs from September to July each year.
Full-time course
Our full-time course will consist of four days in school and one core training day with your North East SCITT cohort. You will work around school hours of 8am til 4pm, however, these times will differ slightly depending on your placement schools.
July: Flying Start Week
You will be invited to an optional training week in July, before your course begins, to enable you to 'practice' teaching before stepping into the classroom. It is not compulsory, however, it would be extremely beneficial to attend if you are able, to help you prepare for September. The training days will also include intensive training and practice (ITaP) sessions on managing behaviour and relationships.
Autumn term
You will begin your main school placement on your very first day in September, where you will stay until the Christmas break. The course fully immerses you in school life from the offset, allowing you will shadow and learn from brilliant teachers. You will not be expected to teach on your first day in school, your timetable will gradually build up and increase as the year progresses. You will also benefit from core training days every Thursday with your North East SCITT cohort.
Spring and summer terms
You will begin your second 'contrasting school placement' in January. The aim of the contrasting placement is to provide trainees with a broader experience, so you can get a better understanding of what type of school you would like to work in. You will return to your main school placement after the February half term until the end of the course. Core training days with your North East SCITT cohort will continue til the end of the course.
Location
With over 70 partner schools across the North East, you will be matched to schools near home whenever possible.
North East SCITT
North East SCITT is based at our founding school, The Academy at Shotton Hall, in Peterlee. This is where your interview will be held, unless otherwise agreed.
Placement schools
Your school placements will be organised by North East SCITT. Schools will be matched to you based on subject/phase, your home location and availability.
Core training days
You will benefit from weekly core training sessions with your North East SCITT cohort each Thursday. We are thrilled to be launching our new Northumberland training hub from September 2025. This means trainees will have the option of attending their core training days at our main training hub, Traynor House in Peterlee, or our new Northumberland hub, Meadowdale Academy in Bedlington.
Assessment
You will receive Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) on successfully completing the course.
QTS
Assessment is ongoing throughout the year which will include observations and teaching evidence from yourself, mentors and SCITT tutor. You will be assessed against our curriculum throughout the year and against the Teachers' Standards at the end of the course.
PGCE
You will have three assignments to complete for your PGCE qualification, two written assignments throughout the year, and one online presentation towards the end of the course. On successful completion, you will gain 60 credits towards a masters.
Eligibility
Initial teacher training eligibility criteria:
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Bachelor's degree graded 2:2 or above (or equivalent). For secondary subjects, your degree must relevant to the subject you would like to teach.*
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GCSE in maths and English graded 4/C or above (or equivalent)
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GCSE in science graded 4/C or above (or equivalent) for primary candidates only
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A Statement of Comparability from ENIC for overseas candidates only
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Successful safeguarding checks to ensure you have the right to teach
*For secondary candidates - if your degree is not relevant to the subject you would like to teach, you may still be eligible if you have an A level graded B or above in that subject.
Please note international students are only eligible for our MFL teacher training course.
Fees and funding
From the start of the 2026-27 academic year tuition fees for teacher training programmes will be £9,535 for full time teacher training courses.
Fees
From the start of the 2026-27 academic year tuition fees for teacher training programmes will be £9,535 for full time teacher training courses. Tuition fees for UK/Home students may change in line with government policy and will be subject to the maximum fee limits set out in Regulations.
Tuition fees for international students are set at £17,000 for full time teacher training courses.
Bursaries and scholarships
You could be entitled to a bursary of up to £29,000 or a scholarship of up to £31,000. Bursary amounts will vary depending on your teacher training subject and degree classification. Find out more below. Applicants may be eligible for a bursary if they have a 1st, 2:1, 2:2, PhD or master's.
Please note the bursary and scholarship details below are from the 2025-26 academic year,
figures for the 2026-27 academic year are to be released by the DfE this October.
Student finance
You may be eligible for student loans to help fund your ITT year. You may also be entitled to additional funds for reasons such as low income and caring for disabled children. Find out more information here.
How to apply
Applications open in October for our primary and secondary teacher training course places starting in September 2026. Applications are submitted through the Department of Education Apply portal, linked here.
Provider code
Application steps
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Click here to complete your initial teacher training application
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Your application will be screened
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You may be asked to complete further information for safeguarding purposes
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If your application is successful, you will be invited to interview
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Candidates will usually receive a decision on the day of the interview
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Accept your offer to secure your place
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Onboarding tasks
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Prepare for September