What is SCITTELS?
SCITTELS stands for School Centred Initial Teacher Training In East London Schools. We are a consortium of schools within East London who work in close partnership to provide outstanding initial teacher training, leading to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The consortium has a strong commitment to Equal Opportunities and takes its responsibility to promote this with the utmost importance. Inclusion is a key feature and strength of our programmes and we are committed to training teachers who will value and build on the linguistic, religious and cultural diversity that children in East London communities bring to school and who in turn, will prepare all children for life in a diverse society.
We are incredibly proud that we have been twice graded as Outstanding by OFSTED who described SCITTELS as providing ‘the best possible training’.
Teacher Training with SCITTELS
All of our programmes give trainee teachers the opportunity to learn from and alongside experienced classroom practitioners. In 2017-18 all trainees will complete at least 120 days of training in school (we call this school based training), carrying out a range of training activities including observing experienced teachers; working with groups and the whole class; planning; teaching and assessing children and reflecting on their developing classroom practice.
Centre based training takes place in the lead school, Colegrave Primary School, and is delivered by specialists and experts in their field, such as Local Authority advisors. Our purpose built training room can accommodate approximately 50 people, and many of our sessions are taught in even smaller groups, which allows us to deliver lectures and practical workshops with high levels of tutor contact and support. A carefully planned programme of tasks and assignments enables trainees to put into practice in school, the theory that they have learnt during centre based training.
Why Choose SCITTELS?
10 reasons why you should choose SCITTELS when training to teach
What Training Programmes are Available?
We offer a range of one year full time Primary Initial Teacher Training Programmes, including:
SCITTELS (PGCE)
School Direct (PGCE)
School Direct (Salaried)
SCITTELS (PGCE)
This programme leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the academic award of a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), comprising of 60 M Level credits.The programme is currently validated by the University of Roehampton.
Of all our programmes the PGCE has the greatest proportion of centre based training and a greater emphasis on the study of theoretical issues. In addition to school based tasks, which are assessed against the Teachers’ Standards (DfE 2012), trainees on the PGCE programme must complete two assignments which are assessed at level 7 (M level).
In 2017-18 we expect to have approximately 30 trainees on the SCITTELS PGCE programme.
School Direct (PGCE)
This programme leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the academic award of a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), comprising of 60 M Level credits. The programme is currently validated by the University of Roehampton. It has the same emphasis on theory as the general PGCE programme and centre based training will focus on this aspect.
Trainees on the school direct programmes will complete a greater proportion of their training in school, with less centre based training. Trainees will be based in one of the schools in the partnership (trainees on the salaried programme will be employed by this school) and will attend centre-based training at Colegrave or another partnership school.
School Direct (Salaried)
Successful completion of this programme leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This programme has the least amount of centre based training of all of our programmes. Trainees on this programme are employed as an unqualified teacher by the school in which they are based and learn ‘on the job’.
This programme has been designed with high-quality career changers in mind, and therefore you must have at least three years work experience (this does not have to be in an educational setting) in order to be eligible to apply. When applying for a School Direct Programme, you must indicate whether you have a school that is looking to employ you on the School Direct route or whether you would like SCITTELS to find a school for you.
At SCITTELS we also provide a high level of individualised support to our trainees, ensuring that they make rapid and sustained progress and are well prepared for teaching in East London and further afield. The majority of our trainees secure employment as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) in one of our partnership schools at the end of their training.
Our PGCE training is validated by
OFSTED has graded SCITTELS as Outstanding for a second time in a row
How Can I Apply?
For all of our training programmes you should apply in the academic year before you wish to train. You should apply as early as possible after UCAS opens at the end of October, as places are highly sought after. Due to changes in the way the government allocates places, we anticipate we will not be able to take applications after April, so please ensure you do not leave your application to the last minute.
And Finally…
As a small provider, we are able to offer a personalised approach and are always happy to help. If you have questions before you apply or start the course, please phone or email and ask to speak to Julia McKinley, who will usually get back to you within 24 hours. Once you begin training with us you will be assigned a Progress Tutor to support you with both the academic and practical sides of the course.