About this course
The Salaried School Direct programme is an employment based route which leads to a PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status at Primary or Secondary level. It is offered by Lead Schools in collaboration with LJMU.
- Earn whilst you learn on this employment-based initial teacher training programme
- Train to teach whilst an employee in a school setting and take on responsibility for your own classes from the first day of term
- Follow a curriculum developed and delivered in partnership with outstanding local schools
- Learn from LJMU staff at our city centre campus and from expert teachers
- Prepare for a career as an innovative and creative teacher
School Direct is a route into teaching featuring a school-centred approach. As a School Direct (salaried) trainee, you will be employed in a school while you train and will receive a salary from your school (the amount paid is linked to the unqualified teacher pay scale which may be enhanced by schools for some subject areas). The school will also cover the cost of your training to become a qualified teacher.
This programme is usually open to graduates with three years' work experience post graduation. Schools can, however, choose to accept applications from candidates with less work experience to attract high-quality applicants in hard-to-fill subjects, such as Mathematics and Physics. This route is ideal if you are considering a career change, but you must apply with a school willing to support you and to employ you whilst you train. If you are interested in the Salaried route, please contact the Lead School to discuss your application, before you apply.
Salaried School Direct is only offered by some school consortia; you can find out where it is available by searching https://www.gov.uk/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses . Each consortium has a Lead School, which works in partnership with LJMU to develop their training programme. While all of the training is based on a framework agreed with the University, each School Direct programme is unique and you are advised to check full details of training and requirements on the Lead School’s web pages and get in touch with them before applying.
Applications for salaried School Direct places for Primary and Secondary teaching are made to Lead Schools. The interview and selection process is conducted by school staff in association with LJMU.
Our Initial Teacher Training programmes support the development of your: critical understanding of educational theory and practice; reflective practice linked to professional development and practitioner research skills for effective teaching and learning. They also enhance your understanding and the application of your subject knowledge.-
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Fees and funding
Employability
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Trainees on the School Direct (salaried) programme are employed as unqualified teachers during the period of their training. Many schools are seeking to fill a vacant post at the end of the course, though there is no guarantee of employment.
During your training there will be ample opportunities for engagement with relevant local employment organisations including schools and teacher recruitment agencies through on-campus events.
You will be encouraged to join the relevant professional association for your subject or area of study, providing the opportunity to engage with wider networks of teachers and others interested in your chosen area.
You will also be able to network with recent alumni and local professional communities.
Most of our students go on to work in schools and colleges, locally and nationally, in the state or independent sectors.
Teaching provides a variety of career pathways leading to specialist roles in schools and colleges ranging from pastoral care and subject leadership right through to school leadership positions.
Having gained experience in teaching, a number of graduates move into associated professions such as educational psychology, consultancy, and roles in the education service sector outside of schools.
The student experience
Discover life as a postgraduate student at LJMU.
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Study topics
What you will learn on your programme
The University element of the programme is based around modules focusing on:
- developing your subject and pedagogical knowledge to support you in becoming a reflective, skilled and effective practitioner
- critiquing effective approaches to learning, teaching and assessment in your subject and/or age phase
- promoting your ability to design inclusive, engaging and impactful sequences of lessons to meet the diverse needs of all learners
- informed and deliberate use of educational research to improve pupils’ learning
Teaching
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
Although you will spend the majority of your time teaching in school there are regular university-based training sessions at the LJMU Mount Pleasant Campus in the City Centre. Some of your training may be delivered by and in partner schools.
As this is a postgraduate course, you should expect to undertake a significant amount of independent study and preparation, not only to support your course assignments, but also your school-based work.
Teaching methods
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.
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.
There is a real focus on providing you with the skills and knowledge required. Tutorial support is an important part of the process and you will receive a personalised service that will enable you to set targets and achieve to your highest potential.
Your Personal Tutor will meet with you regularly to monitor your progress, provide guidance and advice and set targets for your development.
You will also be allocated a Teacher Mentor who will organise and supervise your school-based training. Your Mentor will be supported by an LJMU Tutor who will visit your school several times during the year to monitor your progress.
Applied learning
This school-centric programme ensures that the vast majority of your learning is on-the-job, giving you vital classroom experience.
Assessment
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
A variety of assessment methods are used during the course including: critical reflections on practice, literature review, small scale research projects and design and analysis of learning experiences.
During your training, you will monitor your progression towards achieving Qualified Teachers Status (QTS) and will need to maintain an appropriate professional development portfolio to support this. A final assessment will be based on observation of your teaching practice and the evidence base that you develop during training.
School facilities
What you can expect from your School
Based in the new Education Building in the heart of the Mount Pleasant campus, the School of Education features a wide range of cutting-edge facilities, including a pedagogy room, lecture rooms, computing facilities and a nearby Outdoor Learning Zone for our Natural Curriculum projects. Students also benefit from independent study spaces, a close-by cafeteria and library, and access to student welfare and support.
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Entry requirements
You will need:
- a minimum 2:2 honours degree (some Lead Schools will require a 2:1). You should check the individual requirements on DfE Apply.
- GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4/C or above (plus a Science subject for Primary programmes) - Level 2 numeracy and literacy are not accepted
- a demonstrable interest in teaching within the curriculum area. You could show this in a number of ways – time spent in schools, knowledge of the chosen curriculum area, relevant practical experience
- significant experience in a school or other employment context
- a school willing to employ you as an unqualified teacher while you train
Additional information:
- RPL is not accepted on this programme
- Deferred entry for the next academic year is not accepted for this programme
- IELTS score 7.0 (Minimum 6.5 in each component)
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a selection event, normally at the employing school
- All offers are conditional on applicants meeting the Department for Education’s standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and clearance to work with children with a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Disclosure
- If you want to teach a certain subject but have an insufficient level of subject knowledge in your degree, why not consider a fully funded subject knowledge enhancement course? You may still be able to train to teach your chosen subject and be eligible for the Bursaries it attracts. See the Get into Teaching website for details.
Please note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via NARIC.
View country specific entry requirements
Contact LJMU's International Admissions Team for guidance on visa information. Further information is also available from our international web pages.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
Selection is based on performance in teaching, written tasks and interviews. Interview and selection will be conducted by staff from LJMU and the Lead School.
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.