Train to Teach
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.
Our programme starts in September 2024. Apply now!
What is Little Lever Train to Teach?
Little Lever Train to Teach, is a teacher training programme, based in Bolton, Greater Manchester.
We are a Teach First Training Partner, which means Little Lever Train to Teach, harnesses the expertise of Teach First’s 20 years experience. Meaning, our trainees will benefit greatly from the knowledge, support and resources that Teach First have to share.
Our course, is a School Centred Initial Teacher Training Programme (SCITT). This means, that your training is school-based from day one, and you will be able to have an immersive teacher training experience straight away.
You can apply via the Department for Education portal, now!
Our Programme
- What subject can I train to teach?
Little Lever Train to Teach, currently offers for the 24/25 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.
- Science (Biology – W062, Physics – K192, Chemistry – Q209)
- English – Z763
- Maths – F849
- History – P647
- Geography – P715
- Religious Studies – J368
- Computing – N220
- Business Studies – R329
- Music – V278
- Modern Foreign Languages (MFL – French and/or Spanish) – P962
- PE – L489
- How long is the teacher training course?
Little Lever Train to Teach SCITT, is a one-year programme.
The training will start mid-August 2024 with an initial two week intensive training course to get you up to speed on life in school. You will start your in-school training at the start of the academic year in September.
Training will take place for the duration of the academic year, finishing in the following July.
- How do I train to become a teacher?
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.
- What support will I receive whilst training?
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.
- What qualifications will I receive for teacher training?
Upon completion of the full year teacher training, you will receive your QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) – accredited by Teach First. You need a QTS to teach in public sector primary, secondary and SEND school (it is not compulsary for private sector schools or to teach abroad) but most schools will not employ teachers without this qualification. A QTS also means you’re likely to receive a higher salary throughout your career.
You will also receive your PGCE (Post-Graduate Certificate in Education) from our partner University – Sheffield Hallam University. A PGCE isn’t a legal requirement but it is a desirable qualification, as it is an internationally recognised qualification meaning you can teach anywhere in the world.
Costs
- What is the salary for teacher trainees?
Many subjects offer bursaries, and scholarships for those training to teach.
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.
- 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 September 2024 – July 2025 course fees are: £9,250. Student Finance tuition fee loans are available to cover the cost of your course.
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.
An example of an applicant wishing to teach English could be;
- Will gradute in July with a 2:2 in Media Studies and Communication
- Has an Grade B in A-Level English Literature
- Has a Grade C in Maths and a Grade A at GCSE English
- 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.
An example of a career changer could be;
- Has a 2:1 degree in Computer Science
- Has worked in the IT industry for 10 years
- 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 qualifications, these need to be equivalency tested with the ENIC.
For other qualifications, equivalent to A-Levels or degree level study, will need to be tested with Equivalency Testing – the UK leader in equivalency testing.
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
You’ll benefit from;
- a structured one-year programme of training and support
- online and face-to-face training modules
- access to expert training materials
- an experienced mentor
- the opportunity to train in a school local to you.
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.
Is the programme for me?
This programme is for future teachers looking for full-time, ‘hands-on’ training in at least two schools that are close to your home. You’ll be in the classroom from September 2024 and benefit from the support of a trained mentor throughout your training.
At the end of the programme, you will achieve a PGCE (from our partner university) and Teach First will accredit your QTS.
You will be registered as a full-time student throughout the programme so have access to lots of student benefits, as well as a student loan to cover your fees. Depending on your subject and qualifications, you may also be eligible for a bursary or grant to support you throughout your training.
What subjects does the programme include?
Our training programme covers the secondary phase, with a broad range of subjects offered.
Below are the SCITT subjects taught at Little Lever School, as well as the UCAS code needed for applying.
- Science (Biology – W062, Physics – K192, Chemistry – Q209)
- English – Z763
- Maths – F849
- History – P647
- Geography – P715
- Religious Studies – J368
- Computing – N220
- Business Studies – R329
- Music – V278
- Modern foreign languages (MFL – French and/or Spanish) – P962
- PE – L489
What will I learn?
Our research-led course will give you plenty of practical experience. Our curriculum focuses on supporting you to put learning into practice and places you in school four days a week from early September until the end of June. The programme balances excellent subject specific expertise with a deep understanding of effective teaching methods and includes an emphasis on teacher wellbeing.
Our programme also includes a six-week placement in a second educational setting later in the year to ensure that you qualify with broad teaching experience.
You will undertake six modules across the year – one per half term. In each module you will have self-directed study sessions, live seminars and time to collaborate with other trainees within your placement teaching school hub. The modules cover all areas of the Core Content Framework providing an integrated understanding of common teaching practice and subject / phase methodology. Each module will provide you with opportunities to practise and apply your learning in the classroom.
What are the training commitments?
Before you enter the classroom, we’ll give you two weeks of intensive training which focuses on areas of core pedagogy such as behaviour management and working with pupils with additional needs. You will have a further two weeks of intensive training later in the year.
Once you start your placement you will have weekly training sessions with us – designed by Teach First’s expert curriculum designers – and sequenced to make sure you are focused on the areas of teaching that are most relevant to that point in the academic year. These weekly sessions will be a mixture of online and in-person training, supported by online self-directed study content.
What support will I receive?
As an unsalaried trainee you will ease into teaching by shadowing other teachers, before leading your own lessons with guidance from your more experienced colleagues. You will work with a range of skilled and knowledgeable colleagues (known as subject mentors and lead mentors) who will ensure that you are well supported across your training. Your mentors also receive support and training from us and Teach First to ensure that they are briefed on the latest research and can tailor their coaching to suit your needs.
Join our programme and you’ll benefit from:
- a structured one-year programme of training and support
- online and face-to-face training modules
- access to expert training materials
- an experienced mentor
- the opportunity to train in a school local to you.
You’ll also 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.
The course fees for UK students in 2022 to 2023 are £9,250.
The tuition fees for UK/EU students are typically: Full-time: £9,250 per year
Bursaries and scholarships are available to trainees. Visit the DfE webpage about funding and support for more information.
Bursaries and scholarships for 2023/2024:
We’re open for applications for a September 2024 start.
Please apply using the Department for Education apply service – and your application will be forwarded onto us for assessment.
Before you apply, please make sure that you meet our eligibility requirements:
- An undergraduate degree, or equivalent.
- You will need to demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the subject you are applying to teach, either through your degree qualification, your A Levels or relevant experience.
- Grade 4 (C) or above in English and Maths GCSEs, or equivalent qualification.
- We will not consider candidates with pending GCSEs. Functional skills qualifications are not equivalent to Maths and English GCSEs.
- We accept most equivalency test providers. You will need to have passed your GCSE equivalency test before applying to our programme; we will not be able to process your application until you have passed.
- Overseas qualifications will be reviewed by ENIC to ensure they meet programme requirements.
If you have any questions about the programme or the application process, contact Mark Leathert, on mle@little-lever.bolton.sch.uk or on the school number 01204 333300.
Here, you will find testimonials from our Teach First staff members who have trained here at Little Lever School.
I am delighted to write this testimonial to express my immense gratitude and appreciation for the incredible experience I’ve had at Little Lever. Over the past year, I have received a wealth of guidance and support that has had a profound impact on my growth and development.
The passion for empowering pupils to be aspirational and to better their life chances is contagious at Little Lever. The dedication and commitment of the teachers and staff to instilling a sense of ambition in every student is truly inspiring. I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of a department where the staff are not only knowledgeable and skilled but also so willing to share their expertise. Their guidance has been invaluable in my training journey.
The culture at Little Lever is nothing but positive. It has been a privilege to be surrounded by so many people who are truly passionate about what they do during my training year. The encouragement and positivity that permeates the school has created a nurturing environment where I have felt supported and motivated to reach my full potential.
I am so proud of the progress I have made this year, and I know that this progress is thanks to the relentless support and encouragement I have received. The teachers and staff have gone above and beyond to provide me with the resources, feedback, and encouragement necessary to excel as a teacher. Their unwavering belief in my abilities has propelled me forward and instilled in me a deep sense of confidence and self-belief.
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Little Lever community. The remarkable staff and their unwavering dedication have had a monumental impact on my understanding of what it means to be a teacher. I wholeheartedly recommend Little Lever to anyone seeking an exceptional training experience filled with support, encouragement, and a passion for nurturing students’ success.
– Ms Preston, Teach First, English Teacher
We welcome anyone who is interested in training with us the opportunity to visit our school. This can be either done through one of our Train to Teach events or through a pre-arranged visit to our school during the school day. This will help you to see our wonderful school in action.
Our upcoming events will be added to this page shortly. However, if no dates are available, please use the below email to arrange a visit that suits you.
To book a school visit, please email Mark Leathert, Director of SCITT, on mle@little-lever.bolton.sch.uk or call the school on 01204 33 33 00 and ask to speak to Mark.