Train to teach in
English

PGCE English

Leeds SCITT offers an English PGCE course with a difference: we aim to get you into the classroom quickly to learn with a ‘hands-on’ approach and to become an experienced practitioner. The course offers a unique opportunity to develop your experience in dynamic and supportive school environments, whilst allowing you to establish your own style of teaching.

Why join Leeds SCITT for the PGCE in English Programme?

Leeds SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) is an exciting and innovative teacher training provider that offers the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for aspiring educators.

Our Postgraduate Teacher Training Courses help to provide the highest quality of teaching and learning, ensuring that successful candidates have the teaching skills and knowledge necessary to become outstanding educators and secure a successful career in the teaching profession.

Professional Development Through School Based Training

As well as subject knowledge enhancement, this postgraduate qualification will help your own professional development, building confidence in your professional practice teaching the English curriculum.

PGCE students will be working with a dedicated team of subject specialists who will provide them with the training and support necessary to develop into excellent teachers. In your Lead School Experience, you will be introduced to a range of practical, research-informed strategies to help you to understand how best to teach your subject.

As you progress throughout the course, you will begin to implement these practical ideas and adapt them to fit your school context as well as the needs of your learners, gradually taking more ownership and initiative on your placements. 

How will I become a Confident English Teacher?

To become a trainee English teacher, you will need to be passionate and knowledgeable about the subject. English is a core subject in the secondary school curriculum and is therefore a large contributor to a pupil’s success in school and beyond.

Your role will be instrumental in helping students to discover the power of language, encouraging them to be practical, logical, creative and imaginative with their words, both written and spoken.

Teaching English requires good communication skills and the ability to develop relationships. You’ll have plenty of time during the course to develop your skills and set yourself up for a career as an English teacher.

From the English ITT School Lead Tutor

We are interested in recruiting individuals who are passionate about their subject and all aspects of English Language and Literature, ready to learn and keep on developing their own subject knowledge alongside a team of expert practitioners.

You will be supported by a school subject mentor and a Link Tutor from Leeds SCITT, whilst teaching and observing experienced teachers and planning alongside them. As a teaching school, St Mary’s has high quality ITT provision as part of its overall commitment to supporting the profession across the local area.

What does the Lead School Experience offer?

St Mary’s Menston was graded as Outstanding in the most recent OFSTED inspection. The inspection team noted that pupils make ‘outstanding progress’ and that the ‘school prepares young people well for their future careers, regardless of individual background or personal aspiration’. 

Pupils studying English at St Mary’s typically over-achieve by more than half a grade at GCSE and the subject is especially popular at A-level, which is testament to the expertise and professionalism of the English department.

Under the direction of our Lead Tutor and in collaboration with English colleagues here and in our other partner schools, you will learn how to shape and develop your own teaching style through first-hand classroom experience. 

Additional Secondary Schools Placement

In addition to your Lead School placement, you can be placed within up to two of our additional partnership schools to give you contrasting placements. You will have the opportunity to teach different types of learners across the Key Stages.

What other opportunities are available in our Placement Schools?

• Trips to theatres and other events related to the texts studied
• Trips abroad may be on offer
• Debating training programme with a university law department
• Post-16 Experience
• Extra-curricular clubs
• Experience of working in a faith school

Tuition Fees

The course fees for Leeds SCITT PGCE course including QTS (Qualified Teacher Staus) and 60 masters credits, for the academic year 2023-24 is £9,250. Bursaries and Scholarships are available for some students https://www.leedsscitt.org.uk/how-to-apply/#finance-ske-information

Entry Requirements

For this Postgraduate Certificate in Education Course you need to hold an undergraduate degree awarded by a higher education provider in England and Wales and GCSE grade C or 4 and above (or equivalent) in Maths and English. For further information go to https://www.leedsscitt.org.uk/how-to-apply/

International Students

For further advice and information for overseas students and entry requirements for PGCE Courses please go to https://www.enic.org.uk/Qualifications/SOC/Default.aspx.