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Train to Teach with Us

We have a proven track record in providing outstanding teacher training.  Our secondary and primary trainees have consistently high rates of employment and have found us to be supportive and friendly during their intensive training year. By the end of the course you will not only be awarded Qualified Teacher status, but will also be fully prepared to join the teaching profession in your Early Career Teacher (ECT) year. 

Please contact Keren Gunn, click here to find out why Hatton is the place to learn, book onto an Open Morning, look at details of the application process, finances and our partnerships with Universities.​

What Is Initial Teacher Training?

Initial Teacher Training at Hatton Centre for Education is led by Sir Christopher Hatton Academy.  Our programme has a proven track record in providing outstanding primary and secondary teacher training.

Our primary and secondary trainees have consistently high rates of employment and have found us to be supportive and friendly during their intensive training year. By the end of the course you will not only be awarded Qualified Teacher status, but will also be fully prepared to join the teaching profession as an Early Career Teacher (ECT). 

The academic elements of the training course are provided by the University of Leicester. The University sessions are taught by experienced academics, who are leaders in their field, combining teaching experience with leading academic and pedagogic knowledge.

How Is The Course Structured?

The course runs for one-year and as well as developing knowledge of academic principles and theories behind teaching, it also develops subject based knowledge through University taught modules. This combines with practical teaching experience in at least two different settings, allowing you to learn both from experienced academics and experienced teachers.

What Support Wil I Get?

You will be allocated a school-based mentor who will ensure that you feel supported during your training, and gives you a point of contact and a point of reference during your training. We hold regular meetings with all our trainees, giving them the opportunity to compare experiences, and learn from other trainees during the year, who may be in different schools or teaching a different age group to you. 

​Our school-based professional tutor provides a comprehensive in-school training programme, covering a range of issues, including lesson structure and marking, but also wider issues such as e-safety and anti-bullying and how they will impact on your practice.

How Do I Apply?

Applications are made through the Department for Education’s Apply for Teacher Training page (please search for ‘Hatton' as your training partner’ to find us).  We always strive to process applications as soon as possible. If you are unsuccessful in the first round of places (Apply 1) you can reapply during apply 2. You can then only apply to one training provider at a time, and places may be limited.

Tips for Application Success

When we receive applications, we are initially looking for evidence across a range of areas, such as:​

  • Suitable academic qualifications (refer to entry requirements)

  • Experience (paid or voluntary) in maintained schools or education-related settings, or in wider working with children or young people

  • A personal statement which shows an ability to reflect on this experience

  • An awareness of contemporary issues both generally in education and in the subject applied for

  • Any particular outstanding skills/experience including subject specific skills

  • Two references that substantiate performance to date and indicate potential (if you are an undergraduate please be advised that one of your referees should be able to comment on your predicted degree class)

​What happens at your School Based Interview?

  • A panel interview
  • A presentation activity
  • Spending some time in a lesson interacting with pupils
  • An opportunity to meet the Head of Subject and other colleagues
  • The panel will normally consist of members of the senior leadership team
  • Analysis of your subject knowledge 
  • A formal interview 

​See below for more information on gaining experience in a school setting.

School Experience Programme

You may have an idea what it is like to be a teacher, and what school environments are like, or you may have had no experience in schools whatsoever. In both situations it is really important for you to spend time in a real-life classroom and with teachers, experiencing what happens in their normal day to day school life.  The experience will cover much more than the classroom environment, the teaching day does not start and finish when the young people arrive and leave, the experience programme will cover the additional responsibilities that all teachers have, such as planning and marking, which you may not have thought about.

If you are unsure if you would like to be a Primary or a Secondary school teacher we can offer experience in both, so you can get a feel for which best suits you. Our programme is flexible to fit around you and your work commitments. We offer school experience in the following:

  • Primary
  • Secondary Maths
  • Secondary Physics
  • Secondary Biology
  • Secondary Chemistry
  • Secondary English
  • Secondary History
  • Secondary Geography
  • Secondary Religious Education

We will initially offer you 2 days of experience, giving you the insight and information to be able to submit a reflective personal statement in your teacher training application, that is based on the realities of teaching. Once you have been accepted onto our School Direct teacher training course we can top-up your experience to give you up to 2 weeks of school experience, which could be required before you start your teacher training course with us.

To book school experience please click here.

Please see below for the subjects that are offered:

Primary PGCE

Requirements:
Degree (minimum 2:1)
Evidence of good all round education
Maths, English and Science GCSE
2 Days of Primary school experience recommended.

UCAS Course Code: 2GZK

English Secondary PGCE

Requirements:
Degree with at least 50% English subject content (minimum 2:1)
Maths and English GCSE
2 Days of school experience recommended.

UCAS Course Code: 2H24

Mathematics Secondary PGCE

Requirements:
Degree with at least 50% Maths subject content (minimum 2:1)
– such as (Maths; Physics; Engineering)
Maths and English GCSE
2 Days of school experience recommended

UCAS Course Code: 2GYZ

Tax-free bursary available.

Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Secondary PGCE

Requirements:
Degree with at least 50% English subject content (minimum 2:2)
Maths and English GCSE
2 Days of school experience recommended.

UCAS Course Code: 2PJC

Tax-free bursary available.

Physics Secondary PGCE

Requirements:
Degree with at least 50% Physics subject content (minimum 2:1)
(Such as Physics or Engineering)
Maths and English GCSE
2 Days of school experience recommended.

UCAS Course Code: 2GZS

Tax-free bursary available.

Biology Secondary PGCE

Requirements:
Degree with at least 50% Biology subject content (minimum 2:1)
Maths and English GCSE
2 Days of school experience recommended.

UCAS Course Code: 2GZW

Tax-free bursary available.

Chemistry Secondary PGCE

Requirements:
Degree with at least 50% Chemistry subject content (minimum 2:1)
Maths and English GCSE
2 days of school experience recommended.

UCAS Course Code: 2GZY

Tax-free bursary available.

Geography Secondary PGCE

Requirements:
Degree with at least 50% Geography subject content (minimum 2:1)
Maths and English GCSE
2 days of school experience recommended.

UCAS Course Code: 2H23

Tax-free bursary available.

History Secondary PGCE

Requirements:
Degree with at least 50% History subject content (minimum 2:1)
Maths and English GCSE
2 days of school experience recommended.

UCAS Course Code: 2H22

Bursary available.

Religious Education (RE) Secondary PGCE

Requirements:
Degree with at least 50% Religious Education (RE)  subject content (minimum 2:1)
Maths and English GCSE
2 days of school experience recommended.

UCAS Course Code: 2XRT

Bursary available.

Religious Education with History Secondary PGCE

Requirements:
Degree with at least 50% Religious Education (RE) subject content (minimum 2:1)                                      Ideally with some History at A-Level
Maths and English GCSE
2 days of school experience recommended.

UCAS Course Code: P250