School Direct Training Programmes (Primary)
Become a primary school teacher and make a positive impact on a child’s life with a School Direct programme.
School Direct involves schools working in partnership with accredited teacher training institutions to offer training routes to Qualified Teacher Status for outstanding teachers.
This course equips you with the knowledge and skills to teach across the primary age group (specialising in 3–7, 5–11 or 7–11 years). You'll develop an understanding of the National Curriculum and the learning needs of children, as well as the professional values you need to meet the demands of teaching.
We offer two School Direct routes into teaching - a salaried programme for graduates with three years' career experience, who will be employed as unqualified teachers, and a non-salaried route where you pay tuition fees and work towards a PGCE (with other sources of funding available). Both routes lead to the recommendation of Qualified Teacher Status.
School
Location
Duration
1 years full-time
Start month
September
Home/international fees 2023/24
£9,250 /£16,150
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
Welcome to our School Direct Training Programmes (Primary). Your teaching comes from an experienced team of lecturers. These include academics and practitioners with a wide range of experience. All of our teaching team holds a teaching qualification.
Come and meet us
We are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
If you are
Applicants should have:
- A good honours degree (2.2 or above) from a UK university or equivalent
- Plus grade C at GCSE in English language, mathematics and science, or equivalent, prior to application. (We accept equivalency tests from Equivalency Testing for Career Development and A Star Equivalency Testing.)
Candidates must also:
- Attend an interview
- Pass pre-entry numeracy and literacy skills tests prior to commencing the programme
- Undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check and an occupational health screening
- (If applying for the School Direct Salaried Programme) Provide evidence of 3+ years' career experience, which does not have to be in an educational setting.
Recent experience of working with or observing children in a primary school classroom is encouraged.
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses.
For detailed information on the academic and English language requirements, please find your country in our directory.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use Prior Learning?
Find out more on our Recognition of Prior Learning pages.
How you will learn
Teaching
You will be placed in your training school by the lead school and their School Direct Tutor (SDT).
Your progress towards the Teachers' Standards will be supported, monitored and assessed by the members of the Greenwich Primary Partnership (School Direct Mentor, School Direct Tutor and School Direct link).
Over the course you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for the teaching of whole classes, groups and individuals.
Class sizes
Information coming soon.
Independent learning
As a trainee working within the school setting, you will be supported to reflect on your learning through your portfolio as well as being supported by your school direct tutor.
Overall workload
Your overall workload consists of contact hours (lectures, seminars, etc), independent learning, and assessments. For full-time students, the workload should be roughly equivalent to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of modules you are studying.
Assessment
Assessment is by written assessment and presentation, a case study and presentation, and an evidence portfolio. Full attendance at partnership events is expected.
Feedback summary
Information coming soon.
Dates and timetables
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
| Full time | Part time | Distance learning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home | £9,250 | £2,312 per 30 credits | N/A |
| International | £16,150 | £4,037 per 30 credits | N/A |
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from just over £100 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Funding your study
There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.
EU students may be eligible for a bursary to support their study. View our EU bursary to find out more.
Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Further costs may include (but are not limited to):
- Resources: you may need to purchase books for your studies, as well as specific computer software (estimate, £150 per year)
- Memberships: applying for membership of a professional body may incur further costs
- Field trips: you may need to contribute towards any trips required for your course (estimate, £300 per year).
Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?
Our School Direct programme is a combination of school-based training and university-based courses. This fully comprehensive route into teaching involves schools working in partnership with an accredited teacher training institution, like ours, to devise a training programme.
Our School Direct Training (Salaried) programme is open to graduates with three or more years' career experience (not necessarily in education) and will involve trainees being employed as unqualified teachers with a salary subsidised by the National College for Teaching and Leadership. This course leads to the recommendation of the award of Qualified Teacher Status.
How long is my placement?
9-12 months of full-time paid work.
What are the financial arrangements?
For our School Direct Training (Salaried) programme, trainees are employed as unqualified teachers with a salary subsidised by the National College for Teaching and Leadership.
What sort of careers do graduates pursue?
Graduates of this course can pursue a teaching career in primary schools.
Do you provide employability services?
Our services are designed to help you achieve your potential and support your transition towards a rewarding graduate career.
The Employability and Careers Service provides support when you are preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles. It includes CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops.
Each School also has its own Employability Officer, who works closely with the industry and will provide specific opportunities relevant to your own course.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our postgraduate courses or check our related courses below.....
Teacher training at the University of Greenwich
Study at a university with over a century of experience training teachers. We’ve got strong links with schools, and our primary education courses are rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Visit our teacher training degrees page.
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