Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SCITT school-led and HEI university-led routes into teaching?
SCITT stands for School Centred Initial Teacher Training. Bishop Challoner Training School is a SCITT: our teacher training programme is designed, led and accredited by a school. Our staff are school-based: many of your tutors will be classroom teachers as well.
HEI stands for Higher Education Institution. A teacher training programme delivered by an HEI is a programme which is designed, led and accredited by a University. Staff leaders are university-based.
A SCITT might work with a University partner to offer a PGCE. With Bishop Challoner SCITT, you can be awarded a PGCE through our partnership with Bath Spa University.
Do I need English and Maths qualifications? What do I need for Primary?
For secondary programmes you need GCSE English and GCSE Maths, or equivalent, at grade C/4 or above, to apply for teacher training. If you don’t have these qualifications, we can support you to achieve these to enable you to apply for teacher training. Contact us today! Phone 0121 441 6175 or email trainingschool@bishopchalloner.bham.sch.uk.
If you are applying for Primary then you also need GCSE Science at grade C/4 or above, or equivalent.
What qualifications do I NEED to have?
You need GCSE English grade C/4, and GCSE Maths grade C/4 or equivalent to apply for teacher training.
If you are applying for a Primary school place, you also need to have GCSE Science grade C/4 or equivalent.
If you don’t have these qualifications then you can still apply for teacher training but we will require you to pass an equivalency test before starting the programme.
To train to teach you must also have a degree, ideally an Honours degree with grade 2.2 or higher. Your degree must be accredited from a UK university, or be an equivalent international qualification that has been approved by ENIC as being UK degree level.
Do I need to have school experience in order to apply?
No. It is not a Department for Education (DfE) requirement to have school experience although on your application you should list any relevant experience you may have had in working with children.
However having some experience, even one day, will help you gain a good understanding of teaching today. In your application and in your interview you will be asked to reflect on why you want to teach, and on aspects of the teaching profession.
We do offer School Experience for anyone considering applying to train to teach. If you are wanting to find out more about teaching in a secondary school then sign up for a School Experience Day by using the Department for Education Portal at https://schoolexperience.education.gov.uk/ or contact us on 0121 441 6175/email trainingschool@bishopchalloner.bham.sch.uk.
If you want to find out more about teaching in a primary school then email us directly at trainingschool@bishopchalloner.bham.sch.uk to request a School Experience placement.
How can I get an in-school experience?
If you are wanting to find out more about teaching in a secondary school then sign up for a School Experience Day by using the Department for Education Portal at https://schoolexperience.education.gov.uk/ or contact us on 0121 441 6175/email trainingschool@bishopchalloner.bham.sch.uk.
If you want to find out more about teaching in a primary school then email us directly at trainingschool@bishopchalloner.bham.sch.uk to request a School Experience placement.
Our School Experience days offer a range of important events, including time to observe in real classrooms, time to discuss your application, and an opportunity to learn more about training to teach, and what it really looks like day to day. We’d love to have you join us, as these are brilliant days in school!
How can I fund my training year?
The Get Into Teaching website has up-to-date information about funding sources to help with paying fees for the training year. There are a variety of different bursaries and scholarships available which change every year. The bursaries/scholarships information for training in 2024/25 will be available soon.
Student loans and maintenance grants are available. There is also the option of the salaried route into teaching. Go to https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-and-support for details of the different options.
You can also discuss your individual case with a member of the BCTSA Team. Contact them on trainingschool@bishopchalloner.bham.sch.uk.
Where will my placement schools be?
All trainees will have 2 placements. On the full-time course you will spend the majority of time in your ‘main placement school’, with a few weeks in the Spring Term in your ‘contrasting placement school’. Two placements ensures you meet the requirements of a teacher training programme by enriching your understanding of the principles of teaching by seeing them in practice in different settings.
We work closely with you to find your placement schools, making sure that they are best for your learning and location. Arranging placements is a conversation between you, us and the schools to find the placements that will be most successful.
What will the structure of the one year programme be?
On our SCITT programme you will spend one day a week with other trainee teachers, engaging in workshops and activities designed to develop your understanding of the pedagogy and theory of teaching. The other 4 days of the week you will spend on school placement, putting your learning into practice.
We believe the blend of the two types of learning helps our trainee teachers become outstanding practitioners!
What support can I get with my application?
You can find out lots of information about writing a good application on the Get Into Teaching website here: Your teacher training application | Get Into Teaching GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
You can get access to free one-to-one advisor support from the Get Into Teaching service to help with applications. Book your advisor support at: https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/teacher-training-advisers
Staff at Bishop Challoner Training School are always available to phone or email for information and support. We can offer feedback on your application, advice, and are happy to talk through any queries you might have. Phone 0121 441 6175 or email trainingschool@bishopchalloner.bham.sch.uk.
What qualifications will I achieve upon successful completion of the Bishop Challoner Teacher Training Programme?
Upon successful completion of the programme, all trainees will be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). QTS means that you have met the statutory requirements (The Teachers’ Standards) for teaching in England.
You could gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) if you choose to follow the QTS plus PGCE route, through our partner, Bath Spa University. The PGCE offers you an additional academic qualification and awards 60 credits at Master’s level – that’s a third of the 180 credits required for a Master’s degree. The PGCE is specifically written to complement your training in school.
Will I get a job at the end of my training?
We have very high rates of employment after teacher training. In 2023, all trainees who were seeking employment for their ECT year found roles. Even better, many of our trainees were successful getting roles either in their placement schools, or in other local schools in our partnership.
How much do teachers get paid?
Teacher pay scales for 2023/24 can be seen on this webpage NASUWT | Pay Scales (England). This gives you a broad idea of teacher salaries at different stages of a teaching career. Teacher pay awards are updated every year. If you work in a private school, or an academy, you may find different pay scales apply. The figures here give you a rough guide of what to expect.
What career progression and opportunities will there be after I qualify?
There are so many ways you can develop a career in teaching today. There are a wide range of qualifications you can take to develop your career after training. The Department for Education (DfE) call this the ‘Golden Thread of CPD’. It includes a whole range of courses: national qualifications for Early Career Teachers; qualifications in areas of expertise such as SEND, behaviour, literacy, teaching practice, and developing others: the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders; the National Professional Qualification for Headship; the National Professional Qualification for Executive Headship.
You can complete these qualifications with Bishop Challoner Training School Alliance (BCTSA), maintaining your connection with your training provider for many years to come.
Teachers can develop their careers in many ways. Just a few of the roles you could end up doing in future years:
- Head of Year or Head of House
- Head of Department, or Key Stage
- SENCO
- Literacy or Numeracy Lead for the school
- Senior Leadership or Headship
- Whole school leadership on a particular area of responsibility, potentially including such different things as: research; behaviour; extra-curricular; eco/environmental awareness; attendance; pupil premium support; closing the attainment gap; professional growth
- Mentoring and coaching other staff
- And much, much more
