School Direct

Quayside Teaching Alliance led by West Jesmond Primary School

The Ouseburn Learning Trust will continue to have PGCE SD Trainees for 2019-20. They will have one host school, a placement in another of our schools, University days with the full SD cohort and school-based days with the other Trust trainees. There will also be opportunities to tailor the programme to the individual needs of each trainee.

At the end of the year successful trainees will have:

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
• 60 credits towards a Masters degree from two assignments completed at Level 7

School Direct with Northumbria University  

School Direct training is an innovative new approach to initial teacher education, combining best practice from schools and initial teacher education providers. Northumbria University is recognised by OFSTED as an outstanding provider of initial teacher education across all age phases.

The School Direct programme at Northumbria University is based around a newly developed PGCE, tailored to meet the individual training and academic needs of each student.

School Direct students spend much of their time in a minimum of 2 schools, gaining an in depth understanding of teaching and learning over the course of a year, as well as developing an insight into the wider role of the teacher. Students are supported in school by a mentor, who takes responsibility for the school based part of the programme.

As well as immersion in the life of the school, students attend a number days at the Coach Lane Campus(NE7 7XA) over the course of the year. These sessions provide the opportunity to be part of a professional learning community and to engage with some of the wider pedagogical and social theories around education. This is delivered through some taught sessions delivered by university lecturers, as well as access to a range of on line learning materials. A tutoring system  provides academic  and pastoral support through campus based tutorials.

Based upon the specific training needs of the student, Northumbria University works with the school to provide personalised input, drawing on expertise both within Northumbria and in school. Students are assessed in school, as well as being required to show their level of understanding through a combination of assignments and presentation tasks.

Upon successful completion of the programme, the student will be awarded either a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education(Level 6) or a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (Level 7), with a recommendation for QTS.

QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) is required for anyone who wishes to teach in a maintained school in England. Most academies, independent and free schools in England would also seek to employ holders of QTS. 

PGCE is an internationally recognised qualification which enables students to teach in schools beyond England.

Applications for School Direct training places are made through UCAS.

The Quayside Teaching Alliance programme in Ouseburn Learning Trust Schools is administered from West Jesmond Primary School by Rebecca McVittie, Deputy Headteacher: RMcVittie@westjesmond.newcastle.sch.uk