Programme overview

The programme takes place from late August and until July the following year. It starts with a week-long induction with LJMU at the end of August, which prepares trainees to commence their school placement at the start of the new academic year.

Trainees are based in their home schools from Monday to Thursday and follow a Professional Studies Programme on Fridays. Our PGCE programme comprises four days class contact, with one professional training day each week, all of which take place in the school setting.

Our Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) provides an in-depth training programme, focused on delivering the skills, knowledge and attributes needed when embarking on your teaching career. Our training and professional studies programmes focus on meeting the Teaching Standards and Qualified Teacher Status.

The Professional Studies programme is delivered predominantly at the Knutsford Academy site, supported by online learning and University based sessions where appropriate. The programme covers all the knowledge and understanding trainees need to prepare for a successful career in teaching.

Practising School Leaders give an insight into day to day life in a school with key note talks on safeguarding, managing data, managing behaviour, making successful job applications, and supporting Vulnerable Students.

LJMU colleagues provide key lectures on key educational theories and pedagogical research and providing a context for assignments.

Our post graduate programme supports the development of a high degree of:
* Critical understanding of education theory and practice relevant to the subject area
* Reflective practice linked to professional development
* Practitioner research skills for effective teaching and learning
* Deep understanding and application of subject knowledge

Placements
Trainees are assigned to one of the schools in the Partnership as a Home School to undertake a teaching placement. An alternate placement provides opportunities to work in a different educational setting.

Partner Schools

Our current training partners across Cheshire and South Manchester include:

Weaverham High School, Weaverham.

Winsford Academy, Winsford.

Middlewich High School, Middlewich.

Hartford High School, Northwich.

The County High School Leftwich, Northwich.

Werneth School, Stockport.

Marple Hall School, Stockport.

Bramhall High School, Stockport.

Eaton Bank, Congleton.

Ruskin Community School, Crewe.

Sir William Stanier, Crewe.

Tytherington High School, Macclesfield.

Macclesfield Academy, Macclesfield.

The Fallibroome Academy, Macclesfield.

St Cuthberts Catholic High, St Helens.

Golborne High School, Warrington.

Helsby High School, Helsby.

St Pauls Catholic High School, Wythenshawe.

Training places are now available in the following subjects:

• Art and Design
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computing
• Dance
• Design and Technology
• Drama
• English
• Geography
• History
• Mathematics
• Modern Languages
• Music
• PE
• Physics
• Religious Education

Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE)
Opportunities to develop subject knowledge, if deemed necessary, are available prior to commencement of the programme in a variety of ways, depending on your chosen subject and available in both a school based and university setting. This will be discussed at interview.

Assessment
Assessment takes two approaches; through lesson observations and through completion of academic assignments, both of which assess a trainee’s ability to meet the Teachers Standards (2012). Assignments are based on reflective practice and the programme leads to the award of the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS

Entry Requirements

Successful candidates should normally demonstrate that they already have:

• GCSE grade ‘C’ in English Language, Mathematics or standard equivalent
• A first or second class honours degree (or equivalent) from a UK university. If the applicant is in his/her final year, a successful outcome should be predicted by the referee.

Equivalency checks, if needed, can be made on the ‘NARIC’ website.

Bursaries and Funding

Financial support for trainee teachers has never been better!

The DfE will soon announce bursary amounts of up to £26,000 tax-free for certain subjects, whilst you train. Your eligibility for financial support, and the amount you can expect to receive, will depend on the subject you choose to teach and your degree classification or highest relevant academic qualification. If your degree isn’t in the subject you wish to teach, you may be eligible for a funded course to increase your subject knowledge before starting your training, if this is deemed necessary at interview stage.

Please go to the ‘Get into Teaching’ website to find out your eligibility for bursary. You don’t need to apply for a bursary – if you are enrolled on a non-salaried postgraduate course and meet the eligibility criteria, you will begin receiving payments automatically by your chosen teacher training provider. You will receive more information on the arrangements and how this is distributed prior to the start of your course.

Training places have tuition fees of £9,250. UK and EU student teachers are normally be eligible to apply for a student loan to pay the cost of the tuition fees which is available through Student Finance England.  Please search on Student Loan Company to assess your eligibility for a student loan. Student Services at Liverpool John Moores University can assist with this process and provide advice and support throughout applying for a loan.

Open Events & Further Information

Online Train to teach events

Liverpool – 10th November 2020 from 16.30-19.30.

Manchester – 26th November 2020 from 16.30-19.30.

Please see http://traintoteach.education.gov.uk/what-to-expect for further details.

How to Apply

Apply online through UCAS Teacher Training at www.ucas.com/apply/teacher-training from 13th October 2020.

You can view the courses we are offering under  by searching the UCAS teacher training courses using Knutsford or WA16 0EA as the search criteria.  If you have any queries about the UCAS process, then please contact us at TT@knutsfordacademy.org.uk

Teacher Training @ Knutsford 2021-22 Intake Enquiry