Primary School-based PGCE Programme
We are accepting Applications for Teacher Training for 2025 entry.
Why train with us?
Forest Way Initial Teacher Training offers a very high quality and personalised primary provider-led, school-based PGCE training programme. Working in collaboration with the University of Derby we have developed a programme which incorporates hands-on work in schools with regular time spent at university and locally based training led by skilled and experienced practitioners in primary and SEND settings.
Follow the link to read a personal account of one of our Primary Trainee's School Direct experience.
About our Training Programme
If you wish to train in Primary, we offer two pathways - 3 to 7 and 5 to 11. We also offer SEND main or minor placements to allow you to specialise your training.
Based in your placement school from day one, you will be working closely with an experiened practitioner and mentor. Regular training takes place at the University of Derby and at FWITT Training Hub where training is led by our Programme Managers, exernal agencies and practitioners from our partnership schools, all of whom bring a wealth of experience, educational skills and knowledge.
~ 24 weeks school based training
~ 1 main placement, with your second placement in a different phase
~ 1 week special school experience
~ Continuous feedback throughout the course with visits from your Lead Mentor
~ Year round support from FWITT Programme Manager
Which schools are involved?
Most primary and SEND schools are based in and around North West Leicestershire. See our Alliance Partners page for a list of schools and links to their websites.
Entry Requirements
~ Minimum 2nd class degree (third class degrees will be considered by a panel)
~ GCSE grade C/4 or above in English Language, mathematics
and science
~ Academic and professional references
Successful applicants will also need to complete an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and a satisfactory medical report.
Our Selection Criteria
Teaching is a demanding but hugely rewarding career. It requires teachers who have a very wide range of skills, knowledge, experience and aptitudes and we look for these qualities in our applicants.
We are looking for Beginning Teachers who are excited about the school-based PGCE year and the opportunities available to the right person, who may have experience of primary or special education, understand the challenges ahead and have the following qualities:
~ A genuine commitment to teaching
~ Excellent communication skills
~ Ability to form good and effective relationships
~ Reflective qualities
~ Emotional resilience
~ Potential to work at Masters degree level
~ An awareness of current issues in education
How to apply
Search for teacher training places through the Find Teacher Training website
Find Teacher Training (www.gov.uk/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses)
Search for 'Forest Way Initial Teacher Training (accredited by the University of Derby)' Postcode LE67 4UU
Apply for teacher training places through the Apply for Teacher Training website
Apply for Teacher Training(www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training)
Cost
The cost of the PGCE course with FWITT is £9535.00
Bursaries and loans may be availbale. Visit the Get into TeachingGov.UK website for more information.
Progression
With Forest Way Alliance you can go from Beginning Teacher to Early Career Teacher and right through to headship. Many of our primary trainees have found employment with one of our partnership Schools and we look forward to working with them again as an Early Career Teacher and beyond.
As part of the Leicestershire & Rutland Teaching School Hub, schools within the Alliance can access a two year programme of DFE funded support for Early Career Teachers with the Ambition Institute Forest Way Alliance provides a well established, high quality professional development programme for teachers, providing training and network groups and through the LRTS Hub also offer National Professional Qualifications all the way through to Headship.