Primary with QTS (salaried)

Entry requirements

Undergraduate degree:

• a minimum 2:2 honours degree (or recognised equivalent)

GCSEs and equivalents:

• GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science at grade 4/C (or above) or equivalent qualifications – level 2 numeracy and literacy are not acceptable
• GCSE equivalency tests are accepted in English, Language, Maths and Science, but ONLY if results are officially received and can be verified PRIOR to application
• We will not consider candidates with pending GCSEs or equivalency tests

International requirements:

• IELTS score 7.0 (Minimum 6.5 in each component) - achieved prior to application

Extra Requirements:

• a demonstrable interest in and enthusiasm for teaching within the primary age range. You could show this in a number of ways – time spent in schools, knowledge of the curriculum, relevant practical experience
• Receipt of satisfactory Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Certificate prior to enrolment
• Completion of a medical questionnaire, for medical clearance by the LJMU Occupational Health team, to confirm Fitness to Teach.
• If an applicant needs to improve their subject knowledge, they may be asked to complete a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.
• RPL is not accepted on this programme

Months of entry

September

Course content

Become a superb Primary teacher at LJMU. Graduate with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for the 3-7 or 5-11 age range.

(CLOSED FOR 2023 APPLICATIONS)

• Earn whilst you learn on this employment-based initial teacher training programme
• Train to teach whilst an employee in a school setting and take on responsibility for your own classes from the first day of term
• Follow a curriculum developed and delivered in partnership with outstanding local schools
• Learn from LJMU staff at our city centre campus and from expert teachers
• Prepare for a career as an innovative and creative teacher

The Salaried School-led programme is an employment based route which leads to a PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status at Primary level. It is offered by Lead Partners in collaboration with LJMU.

As a Salaried student teacher, you will be employed in a school while you train and will receive a salary from your school (the amount paid is linked to the unqualified teacher pay scale which may be enhanced by schools for some subject areas). The school will also cover the cost of your training to become a qualified teacher.

Our philosophy of 3-7 teaching centres around a commitment to learning and teaching through play and interaction. This is a challenging and rigorous approach, which requires high level planning, organisation, intervention and assessment.

Training to teach the 5-11 age range enables you to explore pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning across all national curriculum subjects with a particular focus on the core subjects, including the teaching of phonics. You can also apply for 5-11 with a specialism in mathematics or PE.

This programme is usually open to graduates with three years' work experience. Schools can, however, choose to accept applications from candidates with less work experience to attract high-quality applicants. This route is ideal if you are considering a career change, but you must apply with a school willing to support you and to employ you whilst you train. If you are interested in the Salaried School-led route, please contact the Lead Partner school to discuss your application, before you apply.

Salaried School-led pathways are only offered by some school consortia. You can find out where it is available by searching the Government's teacher training course search website

Each consortium has a Lead Partner, which works in partnership with LJMU to develop their training programme. While all of the training is based on a framework agreed with the University, each School-Led programme is distinctive and you are advised to check full details of training and requirements on the Lead Partners web pages and get in touch with them before applying.

Applications for salaried School-led places for Primary teaching are made directly to Lead Partners via DfE Apply: Apply for teacher training - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). The interview and selection process is conducted by school staff in association with LJMU.

Our Initial Teacher Training programmes support the development of your: critical understanding of educational theory and practice; reflective practice linked to professional development and practitioner research skills for effective teaching and learning. They also enhance your understanding and the application of your subject knowledge.

Courses can be viewed on the government's Get into Teaching website.

Professional Body Recognition

In June 2023, Primary Initial Teacher Training received a “good” rating following a rigorous 4-day inspection. Ofsted noted many strengths in provision, which are noted below.

Leaders have worked with great care and attention in designing their ITE curriculum. They have thought carefully about how to embed the DfE’s core content framework into each of the primary-phase programmes. Leaders work closely and effectively with partner schools to decide what trainees should learn in the centre- and school-based training. Across all Primary programmes, leaders use experts from schools to help to teach student teachers.

Primary student teachers develop a confident, well-informed understanding of early reading, including of Systematic Synthetic Phonics. Tutors provide guidance on how to select and use a rich range of literature to inspire pupils about reading, such as stories written by authors from diverse backgrounds. Student teachers fully understand how to build on children’s early communication and language development.

The primary-phase ITE programmes are taught by expert tutors and trainers. Leaders make sure that their staff actively participate in the work of national organisations and subject networks. Students value the input given to them by tutors and trainers about pertinent education research that will help them in their careers.

Information for international students

Fees and funding

Please see the course page for more information.