Primary Teacher Training
NESTT offers three primary teacher training routes: the Primary Tuition Programme (with the option for a PGCE); the BA (Hons) Childhood: Primary Education with QTS, and an Assessment Only Route for experienced teachers.
Primary
Primary Tuition
If you have a question you can’t find on our site, please get in touch at [email protected]
Our Primary Tuition teacher training programme is a school centred teacher training course which awards successful trainees with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Most of our trainees also opt to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with 60 Masters credits.
This is a student-based route so you are not employed by the school. You begin by observing experienced teachers. Then which confident, move on to teaching parts of lessons and full lessons. But always with your mentor's support. As a result, you are at the very centre of a personalised learning journey.
We have been training teachers across Norfolk, Essex and Suffolk for over twenty years. We work with a wide range of partnership schools across the region.
This experience and close working with schools ensures our training fully prepares each trainee to enter the teaching profession. Our employment rate for our successful trainees is over 95%. Whilst most gain jobs in local primary schools, some also move to other parts of the country. Or use the PGCE which allows them to teach abroad.
As a trainee on this programme, you undertake three extended placements in two contrasting schools. This ensures a range and depth of experience. We work closely with schools across Norfolk, Essex and Suffolk. Therefore, your placement school will be no more than 45 minutes travel time.
Whilst you are on placement your SCITT Personal Tutor and a mentor (usually the class teacher) supports you. They help you become highly reflective and analytical of your own practice. Personal Tutors are in regular contact and are your advocate throughout a challenging year, helping you develop resilience and self-awareness. All mentors receive training in how to be highly supportive, whilst also challenging you to become the best possible teacher you can be.
Your central training is provided by trainers who are experts in their field, many of whom are practising teachers. Also we ensure strong links between the sessions and your time in school.
You will have sessions focused on lesson planning, assessment, behaviour management and SEND along with all the National Curriculum subjects and more layered throughout the training year.
We value the importance of you building networks with each other and in the profession so during your training year, we will ensure that you have the opportunity to build strong support networks with other trainees and have access to visiting educational speakers.
Most primary teacher training trainees complete the Post Graduate Certificate in Education alongside their QTS. Having this additional qualification demonstrates to potential employers that you can study at Masters level but also enables you to teach overseas and in Scotland.
We are in partnership with the University of Suffolk and the university validates and monitors our PGCE programme and has done so for many years. The PGCE elements of the programme are integral to the existing core training sessions.
We expect you to complete two assignments and a presentation to gain your PGCE and 60 Master credits during your training year. Of course, we support you fully in writing your Masters’ levels assignments.
A Definitive Course Record (DCR) is a concise description of a course that leads to a University award. Read the DCR for this primary course here.
We also encourage all of our trainees to become members of the Chartered College of Teaching, the professional body for teachers. Membership to the Chartered College of Teaching is free for trainee teachers and we will introduce you to how to become a member
The aim of all of our training is to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to start your teaching career in any future school of your choice.
If you have a question you can't find on our site, please get in touch at [email protected]
Primary
BA (Hons) Childhood: Primary Education with QTS
If you have a question you can’t find on our site, please get in touch at [email protected]
Childhood: Primary Education with QTS is an exciting opportunity for students wishing to become primary school teachers. This programme is delivered in partnership with the University of Suffolk and enables students to gain a BA Honours degree in Childhood while working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in Primary Education
Upon successful completion of the programme students will have obtained Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) which will allow them to take up a qualified teacher position in a primary school
The course provides a full-time academic programme delivered jointly by the University and by NESTT in combination and with a placement in a school setting
This programme is unique in the region as it allows students to gain the professional status of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in combination with a BA Honours degree
Over 160 days in practice allows in-depth experience over a range of schools and year groups
This course includes a wide range of continuous professional development training including paediatric first aid, children’s safety online and Youth Mental Health First Aid
For further information visit: https://www.uos.ac.uk/childhood-qts
Primary or Secondary
Assessment Only
What next?
If you think you meet the requirements for the Assessment Only route, then please contact [email protected]
The Assessment Only route is for those candidates already teaching in primary schools. Specifically, those who could be eligible to gain Qualified Teacher Status without undertaking a full initial primary teacher training route. Successful candidates move straight into the assessment process.
The assessment period for a candidate, from starting the Assessment Only route to being awarded QTS, is three months.
The Assessment Only route is suitable for applicants working as an instructor in a primary or secondary school. Applicants should be able to demonstrate that they:
- Have whole class responsibility for lesson planning, teaching and learning for a minimum of two years full-time or the equivalent
- Are already a highly competent classroom teacher
- Will be employed in a teaching role for the duration of the assessment period at a school where they can meet the full requirements of the Teachers’ Standards
- Are in a school which will fully support the application and assessment process
- Can show evidence of teaching in two schools across the two key stages in either primary or secondary
- Meet the application/entry qualification requirements
- Do not require additional training as need to be working at the level of a successful Early Career Teacher
Applicants must be a graduate and have a degree of 2:2 or above at time of application. Hold GCSEs in English and Maths at Grade C/4 for secondary and primary applications and additionally Science GCSE at Grade C/4 at time of application for primary.
Applicants for the AO route should:
- Have evidence of a clear DBS check
- Be teaching in a school where you have the opportunity to demonstrate that you meet all the Teachers' Standards for QTS
- Be able to show evidence of having taught and been accountable for pupils' learning for at least two years or the part time equivalent.
- Have evidence that you have taught across two key stages in either primary or secondary
- Have evidence that you have taught in two schools in the age ranges in which you are going to be assessed
- Possess the appropriate qualities, attitudes and values expected of a qualified teacher
- Be able to communicate clearly and accurately in standard English
- Meet the requirements for health and physical capacity to teach
If you think you meet the requirements for the Assessment Only route, then please contact [email protected] or complete our contact form.
