School Direct Primary or Special PGCE Programme
with FWTSA
Why train with us?
FWTSA offer a very high quality and personalised primary and special 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.
Follow the link to read a personal account of one of our Primary Trainee's School Direct experience.
FWTSA offer a very high quality and personalised primary and special 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.
Follow the link to read a personal account of one of our Primary Trainee's School Direct experience.

About our Training Programme
Applicants can choose if they wish to train in either Primary or Special or a combination of both and we offer 3 pathways - 3 to 7, 5 to 11 or SEND.
Based in your placement school from day one you will be working closeley with an experiened practitioner and mentor. Regular training takes place at University and at FWTSA Training Hub where training is led by our Programme Manager who brings 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
~ 2 weeks tailor made to your individual needs
~ Assessment points throughout the course with visits from your link tutor
~ Year round support from FWTSA Programme Manager
Which schools are involved?
A selection from the 39 schools in FWTSA Alliance (primary, and special schools)
Most primary schools are based in North West Leicestershire. See our Alliance Partners page for a list of schools and links to their websites.
Applicants can choose if they wish to train in either Primary or Special or a combination of both and we offer 3 pathways - 3 to 7, 5 to 11 or SEND.
Based in your placement school from day one you will be working closeley with an experiened practitioner and mentor. Regular training takes place at University and at FWTSA Training Hub where training is led by our Programme Manager who brings 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
~ 2 weeks tailor made to your individual needs
~ Assessment points throughout the course with visits from your link tutor
~ Year round support from FWTSA Programme Manager
Which schools are involved?
A selection from the 39 schools in FWTSA Alliance (primary, and special schools)
Most primary schools are based in North West Leicestershire. See our Alliance Partners page for a list of schools and links to their websites.
Entry Requirements
~ Minimum 2nd class degree (preferably a 2:1) ~ GCSE grade C/4 or above in English, mathematics and science gained prior to application ~ Knowledge of curriculum, awareness of current education issues and initiatives and an understanding of school life. Professional Skills Tests - The government have decided to replace the skills tests in literacy and numeracy, with a new system of provider-led assurance, where trainees will be benchmarked against a defined set of skills they would be expected to have by the end of their initial teacher training. Successful appliacants will also need to complete an Enhanced Disclosure from the Discolsure 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 trainees who are excited about the School Direct PGCE year and the opportunities available to the right person, who 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
~ Energy and a sense of humour!
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 trainees who are excited about the School Direct PGCE year and the opportunities available to the right person, who 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
~ Energy and a sense of humour!
How to apply
SEARCH for teacher training places HERE
Search for 'Forest Way Teaching School Alliance' Postcode LE67 4UU
REGISTER and APPLY for teacher training places with UCAS - HERE
SEARCH for teacher training places HERE
Search for 'Forest Way Teaching School Alliance' Postcode LE67 4UU
REGISTER and APPLY for teacher training places with UCAS - HERE
Cost
The cost of the PGCE course with FWTSA is £9250.00
Bursaries and loans may be availbale. Visit the Get into Teaching and Gov.UK websites for more information.
The cost of the PGCE course with FWTSA is £9250.00
Bursaries and loans may be availbale. Visit the Get into Teaching and Gov.UK websites for more information.

Progression
With Forest Way Teaching School Alliance you can go from trainee to Early Career Teacher and right through to headship. 90% of our primary trainees have found employment with one of our Alliance Schools and we look forward to working with them again as an Early Career Teacher.
Early Career Framework (Years 2 and 3) - For NQTs employed at Alliance schools
~ A well-established programme for early career teachers to access high quality professional development, providing useful links and resources.
~ Opportunities for specialist SEN, Leadership and other training within FWTSA.
~ Continued networking and support.
We also offer a comprehensive programme of CPD and leadership training (including NPQML and NPQSL) for staff in all our schools.
With Forest Way Teaching School Alliance you can go from trainee to Early Career Teacher and right through to headship. 90% of our primary trainees have found employment with one of our Alliance Schools and we look forward to working with them again as an Early Career Teacher.
Early Career Framework (Years 2 and 3) - For NQTs employed at Alliance schools
~ A well-established programme for early career teachers to access high quality professional development, providing useful links and resources.
~ Opportunities for specialist SEN, Leadership and other training within FWTSA.
~ Continued networking and support.
We also offer a comprehensive programme of CPD and leadership training (including NPQML and NPQSL) for staff in all our schools.