Train to Teach

Welcome to Little Lever Train to Teach, a School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme based in Bolton, Greater Manchester, and the North West. We’re here to equip you with the skills, experience, and qualifications to thrive in the classroom and inspire the next generation.

Come and join the Little Lever family!

We set up Little Lever Train to Teach, in partnership with Teach First, because we believe that we are training the next generation of excellent teachers in the profession!

Our one-year training programme, won’t just contribute to teaching and learning at Little Lever School, our trainees will support students across Bolton, Greater Manchester and the North West of England for years to come. We believe that being a Teach First Training Partner, we can deliver high-quality teacher training that will greatly benefit those wanting to train to teach.

You can sign up for a School Experience Day here, or if you’re ready now; you can apply via the Department for Education portal, now!

Our next trainee intake starts in September 2025. Apply now!

Follow us on Instagram, @traintoteach_littlelever

What is Little Lever Train to Teach?

Our programme follow the SCITT pathway, which means School-Centrered Initial Teacher Training and is designed to provide hands-on, immersive teacher training that places you in the classroom from day one. You’ll gain both the theoretical understanding and practical experience needed to succeed as a teacher with this approach.

We pride ourselves on our small cohort size, as this ensures you receive personalised support throughout your training. Partnered with Teach First, we focus on providing bespoke, personalised training tailored to your individual needs.

As a SCITT programme, we are accredited with Sheffield Hallam University to provide your PGCE.

Our Programme

  • What subject can I train to teach?

    Little Lever Train to Teach, currently offers for the 25/26 academic year, to train in the following subjects. We have included the UCAS code which you will need to make a note of for your application form.

    • Business Studies​ – R329
    • Computing​ – N220
    • English​ – Z763
    • Geography​ – P715
    • History​ – P647
    • Maths​ – F849
    • Modern Foreign Languages (MFL – French and/or Spanish) – P962
    • Music​ – V278
    • Religious Studies​ – J368
    • Science (Biology – W062, Physics – K192, Chemistry – Q209)​
    • PE – L489
  • How long is the teacher training course?

    Your training position is a full-time, one-year programme.

    As a full-time member of staff, you will follow the acadmeic calendar, starting your training in September and completing your course in the following July. All trainees will follow the school holiday and training/INSET day pattern at their placement school.

  • What is the course structure?

    Little Lever Train to Teach, is a research-led course which will give trainees, plenty of practical experience.

    You will be in the classroom from day one of your training, shadowing and observing your fellow department colleagues. Trainees will start with just one-hour of teaching a week, which will increase as your confidence and learning develops.

    Alongside this practical training application, you will complete independent study with a training curriculum set by Teach First. You will undertake six modules across the year. Each module will have self-directed study sessions, live seminars and time to collaborate with other trainees at your training provider school – this may be Little Lever School or another partner school based in Bolton.

    Modules will cover Core Content Framework set out in the guidance from the Department for Education.

    You will also have regular mentoring sessions to support your training on a one-to-one basis, with tailored feedback and progression plans.

    Your training year will be a mix of:

    • Classroom Teaching: From day one, you’ll be in the classroom, developing your teaching skills under the guidance of experienced professionals. You will start observing, and as your confidence grows, begin to teach portions of lessons and eventually teaching your own full classes.
    • Training Sessions: Workshops and seminars covering pedagogy, classroom management, and subject knowledge will happen at least once a term. These will be with the course lead, as well as with your mentors.
    • Mentorship: Receive ongoing one-on-one support from a dedicated mentor in your placement school. You will have both a subject and lead mentor to offer advice and guidance.
    • Placements: You’ll complete placements in two different schools to broaden your experience.
    • Independent Study: You will complete self study alongside your placement and training. This is to support your work towards your PGCE and to support further learning.

  • What support will I receive whilst training?

    We’re committed to your success and offer extensive support, including:

    • A dedicated subject mentor in your placement school.
    • Each placement school will also have a lead mentor for general queries.
    • Regular feedback and advice from experienced teachers.
    • Access to resources, workshops, and training sessions tailored to your needs.
    • Wellbeing support to ensure a positive experience throughout the year.

    You will be eased into teaching, by shadowing other teachers initially. As you progress to lead your own lessons, you will have guidance from your colleagues, to help you learn.

    Trainees will work with a subject mentor and lead mentor who will ensure that you are supported throughout your training on a regular one-to-one basis. These check-in’s are a great time to ask questions, seek further information, ask for further feedback and voice any concerns – from general school queries, to subject specific queries. You will be supported on all aspects of teaching, including lessons planning, homework or test marking, to revision support and more.

    As a full-time staff member whilst training you can also access HR support from your school. As well as, you are a reigstered student during your training, meaning you can access all mental health and well-being support from Sheffield Hallam University.

  • What qualifications will I receive for teacher training?

    Upon successful completion, you’ll achieve:

    • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – allowing you to teach in private and public sector secondary and SEND schools across England. A QTS also means you’re more likely to receive a higher salary throughout your career.
    • Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) – with credits towards a Master’s degree, awarded by our partner university, Sheffield Hallam University. This isn’t a legal requirement so not all courses offer this, but a PGCE is certainly desirable and we want to equip our trainees with an internaitonally recognised qualification, allowing your to teach overseas should you wish!

Costs

  • What is the salary for teacher trainees?

    Our SCITT programme is a fee-paying route. While you won’t receive a salary during training, there are bursaries and scholarships available for certain subjects to help with your costs.

    Bursaries are decided by the Department for Education and will act like a monthly salary for trainees. You will recieve 10 equal monthly payments throughout your training.

    Some subjects may have higher bursaries due to a higher demand for teachers in this subject area for the current curriculum.

    Scholarships are also available for certain subjects. These are funded by independent institutions who are passionate for this subject. Frequency and/or amount per payments will differ for each scholarship, which is applied for separately by the trainee.

    You cannot receive a bursary and a scholarship at the same time. 

    Throughout your training, you will be registered as a full-time student, meaning you can apply for Student Finance support via Student Finance England.

    *Bursaries/scholarships are correct for 25/26 academic year. All totals are subject to change each October for the following start date.

  • What will my training cost?

    Little Lever Train to Teach registers trainees as full-time students.

    Course fees are set out by the Department for Education. For UK students starting in September 2025 course fees are: £9,535. Student Finance tuition fee loans are available to cover the cost of your course, or can be covered by your bursary/scholarship.

    For non-UK citizens, applying from overseas – you are unlikely to get funding for your training unless you have permission to live permanently in the UK, for example under the EU Settlement Scheme. You can find out more here.

Eligibility Criteria

  • What qualifications do I need?

    To be eligible for Little Lever Train to Teach, you will need for following qualifications.

    • An undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2 or above)
    • A relevant A-Level (or equivalent) in the subject you are wishing to teach
    • GCSE (or equivalent) Grade 4 (C) or above in Maths and English.

    If your qualifications are from overseas, you will be required to have eligibility testing certification, via ENIC.

    You will need eligibility testing for your GCSE’s, A-Level’s (or equivalent) and your bachelors degree. We cannt accept UK Master degrees, if your bachelors degree is from overseas and has not been eligibility tested.

  • What if I graduated a while ago?

    If you graduated over five years ago and are looking for a career change, you will need to have been working within the industry that you are wishing to teach in. However, you may still need to undertake a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course. This will take place in the August prior to training commencing in September.

    If you have had a career break, you will be required to undertake a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course also.

    We do require that applicants have experience in the subject they are wishing to teach, either with a degree, A-Level or working in industry.

  • I am applying from overseas, will I be eligible?

    If you have school and/or college qualifications from overseas you must have these equivalency tested before you start your application.

    For GCSE, A-Level and University qualifications, these need to be equivalency tested with the ENIC. 

    Please note, Little Lever Train to Teach does not have a VISA sponsor license, meaning we are unable to sponsor any applicants without a pre-settled VISA status, stating eligibility to work in the UK.

Benefits of Little Lever Train to Teach

  • Local to You: Train in Bolton and the North West, close to your community.
  • In the Classroom from Day One: Gain invaluable real-world teaching experience from the start.
  • Practical Learning: Learn from experienced staff in a supportive and dynamic environment.
  • Mentor Support: Receive personalised guidance and feedback from mentors throughout the year.
  • Qualifications: Earn QTS and a PGCE to kickstart your teaching career.
  • Positive Learning Environment: Be part of a programme that values your growth and wellbeing.

You’ll also further benefit from;

  • Experience – our training provider, Teach First is the largest Initial Teacher Training provider in the country and has delivered high-quality teacher education for 20 years
  • Expertise – evidence and research-led training created by experts in teaching and teacher development
  • Hands on – lots of time in schools to practise teaching throughout the course
  • Specialist training – subject-specific training to ensure you can build on what you know and make your lessons “come to life” for your pupils
  • Qualifications – you’ll receive a PGCE as well as Qualified Teacher Status at the end of the programme 
  • Supportive staff – at Little Lever Train To Teach, our staff value everyone’s well-being. We are a highly supportive team.
  • A positive learning environment – we pride ourselves on our climate for learning. This means that trainees can learn to teach in a positive classroom environment.