In partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, we work creatively and collaboratively towards achieving a shared vision of excellence for our trainee teachers.
School Direct is a school-based teacher training programme, which offers an exciting opportunity to train alongside outstanding practitioners, gaining valuable knowledge, skills and attitudes that will enable you to start your journey towards becoming an excellent teacher.
To complement the in-school experience, our Delta-taught training sessions allow trainees to receive input from a range of specialist teachers from throughout the trust. These sessions focus on developing trainees’ depth and breadth of subject knowledge and pedagogical understanding. Within the content of the sessions, there is an emphasis on all pupils receiving quality first teaching which is vitally important especially for disadvantaged pupils and those with additional needs.
Delta Academies Trust offers School Direct teacher training places across the primary and secondary phase, including the opportunity to train to teach with a salary.
Places are available across the academies within Delta Academies Trust and our partner schools, covering the Yorkshire and Humber region, North Nottinghamshire, and North and North East Lincolnshire.
You can view an interactive map here (embed map link) Delta Academies Trust work in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University. Our programme includes sessions with both Delta and Sheffield Hallam throughout the year.
What our training programme looks like
Primary:
During your training year, you will complete two placements as your school-based training. Your first placement will take place from September to December and, your second placement will take place from January to June*.
A typical training week will be as follows:
- Monday – Wednesday: School-based training.
- Thursday – Delta training based at Education House, Knottingley (or remote)
- Friday – Subject Knowledge, Professional Studies and Master’s sessions at Sheffield Hallam University.
On completion of this course, you will receive a PGCE with QTS and 60 Master’s credits.
Please see the below sample timetable for the year. Dates change each year.
Secondary:
During your training year, you will complete two placements as your school-based training. Your first placement will take place from September to December and, your second placement will take place from January to March before returning to your host school from March to June*.
A typical training week will be as follows:
- Monday – Thursday: School-based training.
- Friday – Subject Knowledge, Professional Studies and Master’s sessions at Sheffield Hallam University.
During your training year Delta will host 10 to 12 General Professional Studies days (GPS days).
Primary Courses
We offer the following courses in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, through the School Direct Training Programme:
Primary Phase
- PGCE Primary Education (5-11) with QTS – Salaried – UCAS code 26PB
- PGCE Primary (Early Years 3-7) with QTS – Salaried – UCAS code 3493
- PGCE Primary PE Specialist* (5-11) with QTS – Salaried – UCAS code 36LD
- PGCE Primary Early Years and Primary Education (3-7)with QTS – UCAS code 34C5
- PGCE Primary Education (5-11) with QTS – UCAS code 26PJ
- PGCE Primary PE Specialist* (5-11) with QTS – UCAS code 36LM
*The Primary PE course includes building up to a 50/50 timetable including teaching 50% PE in Primary and 50% core subjects. Please ensure your application refers to your Primary experience outside of PE.
Salaried places are limited and are filled very quickly.
Secondary Courses
We offer the following courses in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, through the School Direct Training Programme:
Secondary Phase
- PGCE Secondary Art & Design with QTS – UCAS code 26PM
- PGCE Secondary Biology with QTS – UCAS code 2ZPP
- PGCE Secondary Biology with QTS (salaried) – UCAS code 2B3Z
- PGCE Secondary Chemistry with QTS – UCAS code 2LFS
- PGCE Secondary Chemistry with QTS (salaried) – UCAS code 2B7N
- PGCE Secondary Computing with QTS – UCAS code 2ZPS
- PGCE Secondary Design & Technology with QTS limited availability, please enquire
- PGCE Secondary English with QTS – UCAS code 2LFT
- PGCE Secondary English with QTS (salaried) – UCAS code 26Q6
- PGCE Secondary Geography with QTS – UCAS code 26PR
- PGCE Secondary Geography with QTS (salaried) – UCAS code 2LFQ
- PGCE Secondary History with QTS – UCAS code 26PQ
- PGCE Secondary History with QTS (salaried) – UCAS code 2LFR
- PGCE Secondary Mathematics with QTS – UCAS code 26Q8
- PGCE Secondary Mathematics with QTS (salaried) – UCAS code 26Q9
- PGCE Secondary MFL with QTS – French – UCAS code 37FT, Spanish – UCAS code 37FW
- PGCE Secondary MFL with QTS (salaried) – French – UCAS code 37FR, Spanish – UCAS code 37FS
- PGCE Secondary Music with QTS – UCAS code 2ZPZ
- PGCE Secondary Physical Education with QTS – UCAS code 2ZQ2
- PGCE Secondary Physics with QTS – UCAS code 26PD
- PGCE Secondary Physics with QTS (salaried) – UCAS code 2V5N
All Secondary Phase courses are designated 11-16 with post- 16 enhancement. This means that you will be trained to teach your specialist subject and will be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards at KS3 and KS4 across the 11-16 age range. Your timetable at school will include teaching at KS3 and KS4. In addition to this you will have a post-16 experience. Trainees may be placed in an 11-18 school for one of their periods of school-based training and involved in planning, teaching and assisting in KS5 lessons. For those, who are not placed in an 11-18 school, a four-day placement will be organised in a post-16 setting. You will also be supported in preparing to teach at KS5 through the subject knowledge and pedagogy sessions at the University. You will not be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards at KS5.
Criteria for the Programme
School Direct offers a unique training route to achieving qualified teacher status (QTS) and aims to attract the highest quality candidates. In order to apply for a place on School Direct, you must have:
- A UK undergraduate degree or a recognised equivalent qualification
- A GCSE grade C or above in English and Mathematics
- A GCSE grade C or above in English, Maths and Science if you are applying to teach Primary or EYFS
- For the salaried Primary route you need around 3 years experience (this does not have to be a job in education but must be separate to working whilst studying a degree).
- For the salaried Secondary route you need 3 years experience (some of this should be in a UK classroom).
If you studied outside of the UK, you should visit the National Academic Recognition Centre (NARIC) website to find out whether your qualifications are of an equivalent level to UK GCSEs, A-Levels and an undergraduate degree.
The School Direct Training Programme focuses on developing teaching skills. You should have a strong understanding of the subject you wish to teach before you start training. If your degree subject does not link closely to your chosen teaching subject, it is recommended that you undertake a subject knowledge enhancement course before you begin training.
Application Process
Apply for your School Direct place with Delta Academies Trust via UCAS – insert link to UCAS applications.
Once received your application will be put through a shortlisting process with both Delta and Sheffield Hallam University.
If successful at shortlisting an invite to interview will be emailed with all details needed for the interview process.
Interview Process
Due to current COVID restrictions, we have decided to continue with online interviews until it is safe to return to face-to-face interviews.
The interview process will include feedback on a video clip of a lesson.
A ‘Teach the Panel’ activity – details will be included in your invite to interview email.
Secondary candidates will complete a Sheffield Hallam University English task.
There will also be a selection of formal interview questions.
The interview process, including introductions, will take either a morning or an afternoon. However, during the introduction session, you will be given an interview time and will be free to re-join at this time.
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What our trainees say?
I started with Delta Academies Trust as a student volunteer in 2014 and was quickly employed as a TA. I was encouraged to pursue my career even further and train to be a teacher. Throughout my PGCE year, I have received only the best advice, support and experiences that I could ever have wished for. Having nearly completed my training through the School Direct route, I feel that Delta, Sheffield Hallam University and my placement schools have provided and encouraged me to develop the knowledge, skills and practice that I require to be an effective and inspirational teacher. I would highly recommend taking the school direct route and being part of the Delta family. Honestly, it is an intense but very rewarding year
Carmen Drury, Trainee Teacher –
Please see the below sample timetable for the year. Dates change each year.
General Enquiries schooldirect@deltatrust.org.uk
Claire Rowley – Director of Initial Teacher Training Claire.Rowley@deltatrust.org.uk
Kelly Cartwright – Delta Initial Teacher Training Administrator Kelly.Cartwright@deltatrust.org.uk