Our Primary Teacher Training Programmes
The Primary Catholic Partnership offers three school-based training options for graduates. Each takes place over a year and leads to the award of qualified teacher status (QTS). The PGCE route also offers an academic qualification.
Primary (5-11) PGCE
The PCP SCITT PGCE course prepares graduates to be confident and effective professionals ready for a rewarding career teaching across the 5-11primary age range in faith-based or secular schools. Providing plenty of practical, hands-on learning, trainees spend 4 days a week in their host school, and one day a week at the PCP SCITT training centre. The course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status and a PGCE from Bath Spa University. All the centre-based training takes place at the Southampton SCITT centre and trainees do not need to travel to Bath, but have full access to the University online library resources.
Primary (3-7) PGCE
The Lower Primary (3-7) course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a PGCE. It is a practical, school-led programme which develops trainees’ understanding of how to prepare for teaching in the lower primary sector aged 3-7 years.
Apprenticeship
The PCP works with employing schools to deliver Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship training. This course is designed for existing school employees whose school is willing to support them on their training journey. On successful completion of the one-year course, trainees are recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This is followed by a half day’s ‘end point assessment’ led by an external assessor, after which trainees are awarded their Apprenticeship status.
| Primary PGCE (5-7) | Primary PGCE (3-7) | Teaching Apprenticeship | |
| Central Training Days | Every Friday | Every Friday | Every Friday |
| Assessment | Ongoing feedback including formal lesson observations, shared goal setting, and periodic ‘assessment point reviews, a final report and 2 academic assignments. | Ongoing feedback including formal lesson observations, shared goal setting, and periodic ‘assessment point reviews, a final report and 2 academic assignments. | Ongoing feedback including formal lesson observations, shared goal setting, and periodic ‘assessment point reviews, a final report and 2 written assignments at level 6. An additional end point assessment. |
| Fees Payable by Trainees | £9000 | £9000 | none |
| Finance | Tuition fee and maintenance loans available to those eligible. | Tuition fee and maintenance loans available to those eligible. | Employed by host school as unqualified teacher. Suitable for those with over two years’ experience as a Teaching assistant. |
| Teaching Expectations | Start the year with teaching commitment appropriate to your level of prior experience and gradually progress during the year for up to 80% of a full time teachers’ ‘role. | Start the year with teaching commitment appropriate to your level of prior experience and gradually progress during the year for up to 70% of a full time teachers’ role. | Start the year with responsibility for teaching a class for 3 days a week progressing to 80% of a full-time teacher’s role. |