A SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) is a programme co-designed and delivered by a group of schools. This is a route into teaching that has a strong emphasis on learning through the experience of teaching. In SCITT training, you receive the best of both worlds in that you combine practical experience in school alongside academic study. Essex and Thames SCITT is partnered with Anglia Ruskin University, which accredits and quality assures our PGCE courses. You will have access to their resources and facilities.

All our courses are ‘hands-on’ training routes in two separate schools (120+ days), supported by excellent theoretical training through online and centre-based sessions  (60+ days).   Centre-based sessions are held at our dedicated training bases in Wickford and Witham.  All of our lecturers are experienced educators who have current experience in schools.

Yes. Part-time courses are between four terms and two years in duration and are timetabled on a bespoke basis. The requirements remain the same in that you must complete a total of 120 days in a school and attend 70+ lecture days provided. There is some flexibility, however, you must be aware that some lectures must be attended at certain times of the course, and at these times, it is essential that you attend. For more information, please message our administration team using the form below.

When a teacher training provider is awarded Ofsted outstanding provider status, it signifies that the provider has been assessed by the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) and has excelled in all areas of their provision. This includes the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment, the effectiveness of leadership and management, the outcomes for trainee teachers, and the overall effectiveness of the training program. Essentially, achieving outstanding status demonstrates that the provider delivers exceptional teacher training, produces highly competent and effective teachers, and consistently goes above and beyond in meeting the needs of trainees and the education sector.

You will enter the profession as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) for a two-year induction period. This period can be ‘fast-tracked’, subject to the approval of the appropriate body.

The PGCE is delivered by the SCITT, online and at our bases, supported by dedicated staff at Anglia Ruskin University.  Trainees do not formally visit the ARU site, however, all trainees have access to the resources at ARU – including student services, social opportunities and the library.  Student ID for ARU is available to all trainees which means trainees can visit ARU as appropriate for their studies or to access university social events.

We offer both QTS only or QTS + PGCE routes into teaching. Both routes allow trainees to gain qualified teacher status and therefore teach in schools in the UK. The PGCE route offers a master-level qualification, firmly rooted in school practice, this gives trainees the opportunity to demonstrate a deeper understanding of professional reflection and education research. A PGCE is a widely recognised qualification which demonstrates your academic expertise – it is an excellent addition to your CV and is often required if you wish to teach abroad in the future. 

Trainees are placed with schools which are selected by us.  We endeavour to find the best match for you based on your experience and personal requirements.  You will be notified of your placements following the induction in July. At induction, we will go over the expectations for contacting your placement schools to arrange an induction and school tour ahead of September.

For the 5-11 route, you will undertake two placements, in two different schools. One placement will be in KS1 and one placement will be in KS2. The first placement will run from September through until December and the second placement will run from January through until July.  You will also visit KS3 and EYFS settings.

For the 7-11 route, you will undertake two placements, in two different schools. Your placements will span the 4 year age range for which you are training . The first placement will run from September through until December and the second placement will run from January through until July.  You will also visit KS3 and nursery KS1 settings (including EYFS).

For the 3-7 route, you will undertake two placements, in two different schools. One placement will be in KS1 and one placement will be in EYFS. The first placement will run from September through until December and the second placement will run from January through until July.  You will also visit KS2 and Nursery settings.

For the SEND specialism, you will undertake two placements, in two different schools. At least one placement will be in mainstream in KS1 or KS2 and one placement will be in a SEND provision. Your SEND placement will be in either spring term or summer term, depending on capacity within our partnership schools.  Typically trainees on this route spend two terms in mainstream and one in a special school.

For the behaviour specialism, you will undertake two mainstream placements. One placement will be in KS1 and one placement will be in KS2. The first placement will run from September through until December and the second placement will run from January through until July. In addition, you will undertake a short placement in an alternate provision.

All placements are guaranteed to be within an hour’s travel from your home address, however, we endeavour to shorten journey times where school capacity allows.

The Assessment-Only route to QTS is a specialised assessment route, distinct from a traditional training course, for graduates employed on a teaching contract. This route is designed for those with a diverse and comprehensive range of experience in schools or other settings, allowing them to meet all the Teachers’ Standards without the need for further training.

To be eligible for this route you must;

1. Be employed in a school in a teaching role with sole responsibility for teaching, assessment and planning
2. Have the support of your employing school
3. Be a UK citizen or have the right to work in the UK prior to applying (we do not sponsor visas for overseas applicants)
4. Hold GCSEs at level 4/grade C or above in English language, maths, and science
5. Hold a degree from a UK higher education institution or equivalent qualification. If your degree was completed outside of the UK you will need to provide an ENIC STATEMENT to demonstrate the comparability of your qualification.  You can make an application before your degree has been awarded and if successfully recruited your start date would be after your degree is awarded.
6. Have undertaken at least two years of teaching experience that includes evidence of whole class teaching with sole responsibility for planning, marking, assessing and reporting on pupils’ work
7. Provide evidence of having taught in at least two schools – if you do not have this, you will need to arrange an alternative placement for a minimum of 20 days.
8. Teach the full curriculum including the core subjects of maths, literacy – phonics and science as well as a range of foundation subjects such as geography, history, art and music.

By following this route, aspiring teachers can qualify in as little as six weeks, avoiding spending a year in conventional teacher training.

For further information on Assessment-Only and to discuss whether your experience is sufficient, please feel free to reach out to us using the form provided below.

The cost of qualifying as a teacher through the Assessment only route to QTS is £2,800, payable before the first visit.

Additional costs may apply if you are a teacher working abroad who requires an assessment team to travel to carry out an assessment in your home setting, and travel costs might apply if you work in a school a long distance away from the SCITT.  We will, of course, try our best to minimise any such costs.

At any time during the year!  We are happy to discuss the possibility of any start date with you when you apply.

If you would like to apply for the Assessment Only QTS route, you can apply directly to us by completing the Assessment Only application form. If you have any questions, please use the ‘Contact Us’ box below, and a member of our team will be in touch.