Initial Teacher Training
Thinking of Teaching as a future career?
Join us at Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College for a comprehensive school-based Initial Teacher Training package that will ensure you have the skills to be a highly successful teacher and potential leader of tomorrow.
What is Initial Teacher Training
Initial Teacher Training (ITT) is a school-based PGCE route leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). We are highly committed to supporting Initial Teacher Training and our programme is tailored to meet the needs most relevant to trainee teachers.
We are a Lead Programme Partner for the University of Manchester, which was rated by The Good Teacher Training Guide 2017 as top in the North West for secondary initial teacher training. Following their 2018 Ofsted inspection, The University of Manchester has been recognised as Outstanding across all assessed elements in all their PGCE Programmes. This is an affirmation of the high quality of work done by the Partnership in the training of teachers to work in schools.
We are looking to recruit talented candidates who have the qualities and attributes suited to a career in teaching and the drive and ambition to make it happen.
The training period is for one academic year (September – July). On completion of your training year, you will be awarded a PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status. Your ITT Programme will consist of a combination of classroom practice and relevant training. You will be given the opportunity to spend much of your time developing and practising your teaching skills with high quality school placements from-across our Partner Schools, which are mainly in the Trafford area of Manchester.
You will also be offered a programme of training developed and delivered by our Higher Education providers. You will be supported along the way by a number of different colleagues at Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College and will be assigned a school-based Subject Mentor, a very experienced Professional Mentor and a university-based Tutor.
As with most school-centred initial teacher training programmes, there is a possibility that successful trainees will then go on to work in one of the schools in which they were trained – although this is not guaranteed.
We also welcome PGCE trainees who are training via routes other than ITT e.g. Teach First, SCITT and core PGCE to spend one of their placements here at BTHCC.
Contacting the ITT Team
For more information you can contact one of the team below:
Rob McGuinness Sally Wright
Director of ITT School Direct Administrator
0161 768 6030
Call us
Click here to email us
We are offering the following courses for September 2024 entry
We are looking to recruit high-quality ITT candidates for the next academic year in the following subjects.
In partnership with the University of Manchester:
- Biology
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- English
- Geography - COURSE FULL (no longer recruiting)
- History
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages – Combined French & Spanish
- Physics
In partnership with the Manchester Metropolitan University:
- Art and Design - COURSE FULL (no longer recruiting)
- Computing
- Design & Technology
- Physical Education
- Religious Education
What sort of candidate are we looking for?
Personal Qualities
We are looking to recruit talented candidates who have the qualities and attributes suited to a career in teaching and the drive and ambition to make it happen.
The sorts of person qualities we are looking for are:
- A friendly and approachable nature
- Good interpersonal skills
- Organisation and time management
- A passion for your subject
- A positive outlook
- A creative and innovative approach
- The ability to reflect on and improve practice
- Potential leadership capabilities
Requirements for Courses in Secondary Education
Biology
- Minimum 2:2 honours degree in a Biological Science with at least half of the content strongly related to Biology (if you are unsure, please contact us to discuss your qualifications)
- Grade B in Biology at A-level (or equivalent), or grade C if you can demonstrate sustained academic progression since A-level, and at least one other Science or Maths A-level.
- Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and Mathematics.
Business Studies
- 2:2 honours degree or above in Business, Management, Economics, or a related subject, with a minimum of 50% content directly related to Business Education.
- A strong academic record at A-level (or equivalent).
- Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and Mathematics.
Chemistry
- Minimum 2:2 honours degree in a science-related subject with at least half of the content strongly related to Chemistry
- Grade B in Chemistry at A-level (or equivalent), or grade C if you can demonstrate sustained academic progression since A-level, and at least one other Science or Maths A-level.
- Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and Mathematics.
English
- Minimum 2:2 honours degree in English Literature, English Language, Linguistics or a joint honours degree with at least 50% of these subjects. Applicants with degrees in other English-related subjects may also be considered in some circumstances.
- Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and Mathematics.
Geography
- Minimum 2:2 honours degree in geography or a related subject (e.g. environmental management, environmental sciences, geology, or planning and development). If you are unsure, please contact us to discuss your qualifications
- 104 UCAS points at A-level. In addition, applicants who do not have a geography degree must have a B in geography at A-level.
- Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and mathematics.
History
- Minimum 2:1 honours degree in history or a related subject.
- 104 UCAS points including a B in history or a related subject at A-level (or equivalent).
- Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and mathematics.
Mathematics
- Minimum 2:2 honours degree in mathematics or related subjects with a 50% mathematics content.
- Applicants who do not have a substantial amount (50% minimum) of mathematics in their degree may be eligible for a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course provided they have either an A-level in mathematics at grade B or above, or grade C if they can demonstrate sustained academic progression since A-level.
- Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and Mathematics.
Modern Languages – Combined French & Spanish
- 2:2 honours degree or above. If you are not a native French/Spanish speaker, 50% or more of your degree content should have focused on French or Spanish.
- A strong academic record at A-level (or equivalent), including French or Spanish
- EITHER - Intermediate level in a second language (French or Spanish). Your ability will be tested at the interview stage .
- OR - For applicants without a second language, a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course will be offered, available at various institutions, and will be part of the offer conditions
- Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and Mathematics
Physics
- Minimum 2:2 honours degree in a Physical Science, e.g. Physics, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. At least half of your degree content should be strongly related to Physics.
- Grade B in Physics at A-level (or equivalent), or grade C if you can demonstrate sustained academic progression since A-level, and at least one other Science or Maths A-level.
- Minimum grade C or 4 at GCSE (or equivalent) in English language and Mathematics.
Other Requirements
The Government is replacing the professional skills tests with a new system of provider-led assurance in relation to trainees’ fundamental knowledge in English and Mathematics. Under this new approach you will not be required to pass professional skills tests prior to commencing your PGCE, but you will need to demonstrate your fundamental knowledge by the end of the programme.
Relevant work experience
We recommend that you spend at least two days observing in a UK state secondary school prior to attending an interview.
Experience of working in schools
We would normally expect you to have some school experience prior to an interview. This could be visiting a school to observe lessons or work in a non-teaching assistant role. It is likely that you would be asked at interview about the experiences that you have in schools and colleges.
Subject enhancement courses are available for some secondary subjects. If your degree subject does not link to your chosen teaching subject, it is recommended that you undertake a subject knowledge enhancement course before you begin training.
Click on the link below to email us and we can organise your school experience here at BTHCC or at any of our partner schools.
Email us - R.McGuinness@bthcc.org
School Experience Programme
How can I gain School Experience?
English as an Additional Language
In addition to a grade C at GCSE in English Language, applicants whose first language is not English are required to meet the following language requirements:
IELTS 6.5 overall, 6.5 in writing, no sub-section below 6.0, or
TOEFL iBT overall score of 90 with a minimum score of 22 in writing and 20 in the other sub-sections, or
Pearson PTE overall score of 62 with a minimum score of 62 in writing and 55 in the other sub-sections, or
Cambridge CAE grade A or Cambridge CPE grade C (please note that the Cambridge First Certificate in English is not acceptable).
English language test validity
Some English language test results are only valid for two years. Your English language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.
How is your PGCE Funded?
If you secure a place on this route the tuition fees for the programme will be £9,250. These fees are paid to the relevant Universities in a series of instalments across the academic year. There are a number of different funding options available to support you with these payments.
Our Partners
Manchester University
Manchester Metropolitan University
All Saint’s Catholic College, Dukinfield
Loreto Grammar School, Altrincham
St Peter’s RC High School, Manchester
Applying for Lead Programme Partner PGCE
To apply for Lead Programme Partner PGCE you will need to complete an online application at Gov.uk