About the course
TCAT’s commitment is to create confident, creative and innovative classroom practitioners who share and embrace our aspiration to excellence.
Working closely with Bright Futures in a supportive and complementary relationship, we will offer all our successful applicants a school-based programme, in a range of good and outstanding schools and contexts, with a clear focus upon enhanced employability and leadership capacity. The Train To Teach School Direct partnership programme will lead to the award of QTS status and a PGCE including credits towards Masters-level accreditation.
Throughout the school year there are two school-based placements at KS1 and KS2. The school-based programme is assessed at two review points, ensuring that there is support at each stage of the learning journey.
We are looking to recruit outstanding graduates with a passion for working with young people with the commitment to make a difference each and every day.
Admissions Process:
Forms are carefully screened to select applicants for interview. Primary School Leaders within the trust will consider how much recent experience candidates have had in primary schools, academic qualifications including predictions, personal qualities and suitability for teaching, and additional interests or experiences.
Selected applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Offers of places cannot be made until an interview has taken place.
Interview Process:
Applicants invited to attend an interview will complete a number of activities on the day. Typically, applicants will be asked to carry out a teaching activity with a small group of children, complete a series of school-based tasks and have an individual interview with head teachers or leaders from various schools within the alliance.
Please note that you will certainly be asked about your experience of working with children and your knowledge of how primary schools operate. The interviewers will be trying to find out about your commitment to teaching and whether you have properly considered what a career as a primary teacher will involve. You may bring along any evidence of your work with children in school, such as portfolios of work or letters from head teachers, to discuss with your interviewers. You will also be given the opportunity to ask questions about the programme. All relevant information regarding the day is forwarded in good time to those applicants invited for interview.
School Placements
During the teaching year there are two school-based placements, Key Stage 1 and lower / upper Key Stage 2.
TCAT primary schools are within Warrington, ensuring travel is kept to a minimum. The wishes of the trainees are also considered during the planning of these placements, so that the very best match can be made with the trainees and the eleven partner schools.
Within each placement, there will be a professional and a class-based mentor who will meet with you weekly to discuss your progress and support you in your areas for development.
Requirements and eligibility
We require a second class degree for both Primary and Secondary courses and Grade 4 GCSE or above in English, maths and science, or equivalent qualification.
Personal Qualities
We are looking to recruit outstanding graduates with a passion for working with young people with the commitment to make a difference each and every day.
We are keen to hear about your experience in education, alongside other personal interests that could be brought into the classroom environment to benefit the children.
Training with other disabilities and needs
Staff within the trust and alliance of schools would support students in identifying the most appropriate solutions to potential barriers to learning. This includes students with disabilities, specific learning differences, long standing health conditions, mental health conditions, Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome and sensory impairments.