Devon Primary SCITT Primary (X100)

PGCE with QTS full time

• Financial support: Student finance if you’re eligible
• Qualification:
  PGCE with QTS

  A postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) with qualified teacher status (QTS) will allow you to teach in state schools in England and may allow you to teach in other parts of the UK.

  It may also allow you to teach overseas, though you should always check what qualifications are needed in the country you’d like to teach in.

  Many PGCE courses include credits that count toward a Master’s degree.

• Age range: 5 to 11
• Course length: 1 year
• Date you can apply from: 11 October 2022
• Date course starts: September 2023
• Website: http://www.dpscitt.ac.uk

Contents

Course summary

DPSCITT offers a 1 year Primary PGCE Programme with Qualified Teacher Status, and optional Masters Credits.

We are a partnership of 50 primary and special school across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay who are passionate about inspiring and developing reflective, creative, and resilient teachers. Our course has been described by Ofsted as “inspirational, creative and innovative” providing trainees with “the best possible start to their teaching career.” (Ofsted,2016)

Relationships are key, and our ‘class-sized’ cohort brings a broad range of experiences, while everyone feels known and valued. Trainees are supported extremely well by school and centre-based staff, with a focus on personal wellbeing. Also, our friendly Personal Tutors are available at the centre and in school for 1:1 discussions and provide regular support via phone and e-mail.

According to one former trainee: “If you want a teaching course that’s inclusive, supportive, loving and full of kindness, then this is the only course you need to apply for!”

Personalised and cohesive, the course emphasises learning through dialogue and reflection on experience, linked to educational theory. Through interactive training and individual coaching, trainees are supported to develop their own teaching philosophies and identities. School-based tasks contextualise and extend the learning gained from each centre-based training session.

The structure and quality of the training ensure that “trainees feel confident and very well prepared to start their early careers” (External Examiner). As one former trainee put it: “When I started my first day as a ‘real’ teacher, the course made me feel so well prepared for the moment the children walked through the door”.

Centre-based Training forms 25% of the course and is provided by exceptional national and local consultants, specialists and serving practitioners. Trainees apply and discuss theory and pedagogy in small groups, and excellent teaching and assessment practice is modelled explicitly.

School-based Training forms 75% of the course and is carefully planned to build confidence in teaching, develop understanding, and experience the wider role of a teacher. Trainees learn from experienced staff across their placement schools and receive daily and weekly support from their Class Teachers and an expert School-based Tutor.

Trainees are assessed through three teaching practice blocks, and assignments focused on SEND, Maths and Phonics. A further practical Assignment allows trainees to design and teach a creative, cross-curricular teaching sequence.

SEND Specialism: Trainees considering teaching within specialist provision have the opportunity to complete their Spring term placement in a Special School.

School placements

All our Partnership Schools have been selected for their commitment to developing children and adults, within an ethos of openness and collaboration.

We have a wide range of Partnership Schools across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, and are committed to organising both your placements in schools close to your home. If you have a preferred Key Stage, we ensure that you start the course in this, such that two of your three terms are spent within this Key Stage. Also, as we know our schools and their staff well, we are able to consider your individual requirements, strengths and personalities when arranging placements.

In each of your placements, you will receive:

• The regular support of your School-based Tutor and your Class Teacher
• Weekly Seminar Meetings to discuss, monitor and guide your training
• Opportunities to observe and work alongside excellent practitioners
• Professional guidance from key staff across the school
• Opportunities to be involved in the wider life of the school community

You are welcomed into your ‘home’ school on the first day of term, where you spend the Autumn and Summer Terms. In the Spring you transfer to your second placement, which will be in the alternative Key Stage and can, if you wish, be in a Special school.

Your School-based Tutor meets with you each week to support, coordinate and personalise your training, drawing on the expertise of all school staff.

Prior to your second placement, your first School-based Tutor meets with your next one to draft a personal action plan for you, ensuring a smooth transition. Before Easter, both your School-based Tutors meet together with you to prepare your Summer term action plan to ensure continuity and maximise your learning.

Opportunities to observe and participate in the wider life of your placement schools, through staff and parent’s meetings, and other school events, mean you are fully prepared for your first teaching post.

“This course has given me more than I ever felt it could. Now, not only do I have confidence in my teaching ability, I also have confidence in myself.”
(Katie, former trainee)

Locations

You can select one of the following locations when you apply.

Location	Vacancies
Appledore School Richmond Road, Appledore, Bideford, EX39 1PF	Yes
Bidwell Brook School Shinner’s Bridge, Totnes, TQ9 6JU	Yes
Bishops Tawton Primary School School Lane, Bishops Tawton, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 0AE	Yes
Bishopsteignton Primary School Cockhaven Close, Bishopsteignton, Teignmouth, TQ14 9RJ	Yes
Bradley Barton Primary School & Nursery Ogwell Mill Road , Bradley Barton, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 1PR	Yes
Chudleigh Community Primary School Lawn Drive, Chudleigh, Newton Abbott, TQ13 0LS	Yes
Collaton St. Mary C of E Primary School Blagdon Road, Paignton, Devon , TQ3 3YA	Yes
Decoy Primary School 2 Deer Park Road, Newton Abbott, TQ12 1DH	Yes
Elburton Primary School Haye Road South, Plymouth, Devon, PL9 8HJ	Yes
Ellen Tinkham School Hollow Lane, Exeter, EX1 3RW	Yes
Exminster Community Primary School Main Road, Exminster, Exeter, EX6 8AJ	Yes
Feniton Primary School Station Road, Feniton, Honiton, EX14 3EA	Yes
Great Torrington Bluecoat CofE Primary School Borough Road, Great Torrington, EX38 7NU	Yes
Honiton Primary School Clapper Lane, Honiton, EX14 1QF	Yes
Illfracombe Junior School Princess Avenue, Illfracombe, Devon, EX34 9LW	Yes
Kenn C of E Primary School Kennford, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7TX	Yes
Kenton Primary School Mamhead Road, Kenton, Exeter, EX6 8LX	Yes
Landkey Primary School Bakery Way, Landkey, Nr Barstaple, Devon, EX32 0LJ	Yes
Landscore Primary School Threshers, Crediton, EX17 3JH	Yes
Leigham Primary School Cockington Close, Leigham, PL6 8RF	Yes
Lipson Vale Primary School Bernice Terrace, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 7HW	Yes
Littletown Primary Academy Honiton Bottom Road, Honiton, Devon, EX14 2EG	Yes
Main Site c/o Trinity Primary School, Vernon Crescent, Exeter, Exeter, EX2 7GB	Yes
Manor Primary School Manor Way, Ivybridge, PL21 9BG	Yes
Marwood School 1 Whiddon Lane, Muddiford, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 4HF	Yes
Newport Community School Primary Academy Landkey Road, Barnstaple, Devon, EX32 9BW	Yes
Newton Poppleford Primary School School Lane, Sidmouth, EX10 0EL	Yes
Oakwood Primary Academy Pendeen Crescent, Southway, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 6QS	Yes
Ottery St Mary Primary School Longdogs Lane, Ottery St Mary, EX11 1HY	Yes
Pathfield School Abbey Road, Pilton, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 1JU	Yes
Pilton Infants’ School Abbey Road, Barnstaple, EX31 1JU	Yes
Riverside Community Primary School Poole Park Road, St Budeaux, Plymouth, Devon, PL5 1DD	Yes
Roselands Primary School Lynmouth Avenue , Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7RQ	Yes
Sandford School Sandford, Crediton, Devon, EX17 4NE	Yes
Shaldon Primary School 9 Bridge Road, Shaldon, Devon, TQ14 0DD	Yes
South Brent Primary School Totnes Road, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9JN	Yes
South Molton Community Primary School North Road, South Molton, EX36 3BA	Yes
St Martin’s CofE Primary School Younghayes Road, Cranbrook, Exeter, EX5 7DT	Yes
St Michael’s CofE Primary Academy South Lawn Terrace, Heavitree, Exeter, EX1 2SN	Yes
St Peter’s CofE Primary School Moor Lane, Budleigh Salterton, EX9 6QF	Yes
St Sidwell’s CofE Primary School York Road, Exeter, Devon, EX4 6PG	Yes
Sticklepath Community Primary Academy Woodville, Barnstaple, EX31 2HH	Yes
The Topsham School Orchard Way, Topsham, Exeter, Devon, EX3 0DN	Yes
Thornbury Primary School Miller Way, Estover, PL6 8UL	Yes
Tipton St. John C of E Primary School Sidmouth, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 0AG	Yes
Trinity CofE VA Primary & Nursery School Fish Street, Exeter, Devon, EX2 7TR	Yes
Weston Mill Community Primary Academy Ferndale Road, Plymouth, PL2 2EL	Yes
Widey Court Primary School Widey Lane, Crownhill, Plymouth, Devon, PL6 5JS	Yes
Willowbrook School and Nursery Summer Lane, Exeter, Devon, EX4 8NN	Yes
Withycombe Raleigh CofE Primary School Withycombe Village Road, Exmouth, EX8 3BA	Yes
Woodlands Park Primary School Abbott Road, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 9TF	Yes

Entry requirements

Qualifications needed

An undergraduate degree, or equivalent. This should be an honours degree (Third or above), or equivalent.

Grade 4 (C) or above in English, maths and science, or equivalent qualification.

We’ll consider candidates with pending GCSEs.

We’ll consider candidates who need to take a GCSE equivalency test in science.

We accept online equivalency tests for Science.

Personal qualities

We are keen to hear from people who enjoy children’s perspectives, want to make a real difference for them and have:

• a passion for learning and teaching
• an ability to build positive relationships with children and adults
• strong interpersonal and communication skills
• a positive, creative and proactive approach
• a commitment to collaboration and team-working
• an ability to reflect on and analyse practice
• an openness to advice and feedback
• a desire to develop personally and professionally

Other requirements

Candidates are required to successfully complete the following before starting the programme:

• A range of Safeguarding Checks regarding your suitability to work with young people, including an Enhanced DBS check

• A fitness to teach medical declaration.

Fees and financial support

The course fees for UK students in 2023 to 2024 are £9,250.

Tuition Fees are £9,250 for the year.

Financial support from the training provider

You can apply to the Student Loan Company for a Tuition Fee Loan and means tested maintenance loan.

DPSCITT has a small means tested bursary for trainees on the programme who experience financial difficulties during the year. Please contact us if you wish to know more.

We are a non-profit making organisation. Your money therefore is spent entirely on providing you with outstanding training.

About the training provider

Devon Primary SCITT provides outstanding personalised school-based training across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. Founded in 2000, we are a very committed partnership of 50 primary and special schools, passionate about inspiring the next generation of reflective, creative and resilient teachers.

We are extremely proud of our reputation for developing successful teachers, with strong foundations for fulfilling teaching careers. Our family ethos means that we keep in touch with former trainees, many of whom are now Headteachers or Senior Leaders.

At the heart of our Partnership and course is our focus on:

• Children’s development and learning
• Strong relationships and personal support
• Cohesive and interactive training
• Dialogue and individual coaching
• Reflection and applied learning.

What others say:

• OFSTED judged us to be Outstanding in all 4 of our inspections (2003, 2006, 2009 & 2016). Their latest report commented on our “Outstanding personalised training, professional development and pastoral support” and our “dynamic training programme that is carefully tailored to meet the needs of each trainee and …. gives them the best possible start to their teaching career” (Ofsted, 2016)

• The “Good Teacher Training Guide” has consistently ranked us in the Top 5 of National Training Providers.

• We were awarded “Provider of the Year” in 2019 by the National Association of School-based Teacher Trainers.

As part of our commitment to ongoing personal and professional support through our graduates’ careers, we also provide high quality Early Career and Subject Leadership Programmes through the Devon Training School Partnership.

Interview process

Up to six candidates are invited to each interview day. Each of these take place at a different Partnership School with the DPSCITT Director and Headteachers.

Interview days are informal and enjoyable, providing a range of opportunities for each candidate to demonstrate their skills and attributes. They are also designed to provide meaningful insights into the course itself to enable you to make an informed choice.

Candidates will be invited to:

• Lead a short teaching session with 6 children (prepared in advance).
• Write a brief evaluation of the teaching session
• Complete short Literacy and Maths papers
• Collaborate in a discussion-based group task.
• Participate in an informal interview.

During the day there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and gain a good understanding of our course. You will also be able to meet current and former trainees over lunch to find out about it from their perspectives.

All candidates are offered detailed feedback following the interview, and individual Course Preparation Plans are provided for successful candidates to ensure that their support can be effectively tailored from the outset.

“Fab interview process…very open and friendly”

“It was amazing to be part of the day in a school setting”

“I really enjoyed the day and feel more confident in my choice of career”

                                                             (DPSCITT Interview Candidates)

International candidates

You’ll need the right to study in the UK. You already have this if, for example, you:

• are an Irish citizen
• have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (you may still be able to apply)
• have indefinite leave to remain in the UK

If you do not already have the right to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa. The main visa for fee-paying courses (those that you have to pay for) is the Student visa.

To apply for a Student visa, you’ll need to be sponsored by your training provider.

Sponsorship is not available for this course.

If you need a visa, filter your course search to find courses with visa sponsorship.

Alternatively, check if you’re eligible for a different type of visa, such as a Graduate or Family visa, that allows you to train to be a teacher without being sponsored.

Find out more about training to teach in England.

International qualifications

If your qualifications come from a non-UK institution, we may want to see a ‘statement of comparability’ from UK ENIC. This will show us how they compare to UK qualifications.

You can call Get Into Teaching on 0800 389 2500 for:

• guidance on the UK equivalents of your qualifications
• a free statement of comparability once you’ve submitted your application (if we ask you for this)

Training with disabilities and other needs

We have extensive experience of supporting trainees with a range of physical and specific learning difficulties, ensuring that their individual needs are met. In addition to the time, resources and strategies provided by Course Tutors, trainees are encouraged and supported to apply for the Disabled Student Allowance. This is used to fund further study support which is organised with external agencies, such as Contacts Associates.

Describing the accessibility of the course as “amazing”, a trainee with autism commented that she “really enjoyed the course and [was] incredibly impressed with how adaptable and efficient it has been”. (Corrine, former trainee)

The course is highly personalised and supportive. Each trainee has a Personal Tutor (either the Director or Deputy Director) to provide pastoral and professional support throughout the course. This approach enables us to cater for individual needs with speed and flexibility, and is a key strength of the course.

“The pastoral and professional support of DPSCITT staff is amazing, and a stand out feature of the course.” (Alannah, former trainee)

Regular 1:1 meetings are timetabled with Personal Tutors to discuss each trainee’s needs and wellbeing, and trainees are encouraged to seek further support when necessary. Each week, School-based Tutors provide quality time to support each trainee, planning and coordinating their individual training programme.

“Learning Conversations … are at the heart of this outstanding training programme. Skilled DPSCITT and school-based staff ensure each conversation is personal to that trainee and focused on their specific learning successes and areas for development.” (Ofsted, 2016)

Contact this training provider

• Email: lflounders@dpscitt.ac.uk
• Telephone: 01392 790 164
• Website: http://www.dpscitt.ac.uk
• Address: Trinity Primary School; Fish Street; Exeter; Devon; EX2 7TR

Support and advice

For support and advice, you can speak to a teacher training adviser for free. They’re all experienced teachers who can help you to prepare your application, book school experience, and access exclusive teaching events.

You can also call Get Into Teaching free of charge on 0800 389 2500, or chat online Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.30pm (except public holidays).

Find out about the different ways to train if you do not have a degree, or are already an experienced teacher.

If there is something wrong with this course listing, contact us by email.