PGCE School Direct (Secondary)

School Direct is a government-led initiative that seeks to place schools at the centre of Initial Teacher Education (ITE). Working with University of Roehampton, our partner schools take a leading role in recruiting trainee teachers and in designing and delivering the training programme.
There are two possible routes if you are thinking of training via School Direct:
School Direct Training Programme (salaried)
This is open to high quality graduates, often to people coming to teaching from other careers. Applications are made to individual schools or alliances of schools. The schools pay a salary based on that of an unqualified teacher but there is no government bursary paid for secondary specialisms that attract a bursary for those on the tuition fee route. Trainees carry out training both at Roehampton and within their school alliance.

You must hold and be able to provide certificated evidence of having an undergraduate degree conferred by a United Kingdom higher education institution or an equivalent qualification. Most successful applicants will have a 2:2 degree classification or better.
School observation before interview is not a requirement. Many applicants do find observation before interview can be very helpful, however. Candidates should note that school placements will be in local state secondary schools, so observational experience outside of this sector might not provide an adequate understanding of the rewards and challenges presented to teachers in this sector. Any observational experience in either the state or independent sector should provide an opportunity to gain insight into teaching, learning and reflection upon the professional responsibilities of teachers. Candidates are invited to contact subject tutors for advice by email if they have any uncertainties about the relevance of observation undertaken.
Relevant experience includes work with children or young people, or work developing your knowledge, skills and experience relevant to the subject you wish to teach. You may have continued to develop your expertise in computing or engineering, for example, since completing a first degree. The degree or graduate-equivalent qualification shown on your application should relate to the needs of the course and the secondary subject specialism applied for.
You must have at least a grade 4 (C) or above in both mathematics and English Language at GCSE, or approved equivalents. While applicants without one or both of these GCSEs (or approved equivalents) will be considered for interview, priority is given to those candidates who have already met this requirement. If you do not currently hold a GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in mathematics and English Language, please note that we accept the equivalency tests in both mathematics and English offered by Equivalency Testing. Please contact them directly via their website.
You must have a broad-based educational background and be able to read effectively and communicate clearly in standard English.
Your application will require details of two referees. If candidates have studied within the last 5 years, an academic reference must be provided. Ideally, candidates should choose someone who can comment on the candidate's character and suitability to enter the teaching profession. The other reference should be a school or employer's reference. Please be aware that if references are not appropriate this may delay the processing of your application.
You must ask referees to include a statement in the reference which asks if they have any knowledge as to whether or not you are suitable to work with children. If they know of no reason why you should not be working with children please ask them to write I know of no reason why [insert name] cannot work with children.
Legal requirements: All places on the PGCE are subject to satisfactory health and criminal convictions assessments. Applicants will be required to complete an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and obtain a registration number from the Independent Safeguarding Authority. The University of Roehampton is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff, students and trainees to share this commitment.
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with a minimum 5.5 in each component.
Roehampton English Language Test- Mapped to IELTs scores, please refer to IELTS Academic above
TOEFL IBT - 89 overall with a minimum of 17 in Listening and Writing, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking