Training hubs across the North East Fully accredited to award primary and secondary QTS

Welcome to Durham SCITT. It’s the personal attention we give to our trainees which makes this a great place to learn. We pride ourselves on the personal approach. We know there is no such thing as a “typical trainee” so we don’t provide a one-size-fits-all course. With hubs across the North East, there will be a training location to suit you.

Why Choose Us? Get Started

850

Trainees trained

20+

Different Courses

Why choose us

We are fully accredited by the DfE to award QTS. There is no ‘middle man’ and no faceless organisation deciding your fate! It is our outstanding dedication to teacher training that will help you to grow and become a great teacher. We work with a range of schools and partners to make sure the location and course fits your needs.

We have trained nearly 1000 trainees since 2006
In a typical year, nearly 97% of trainees have secured employment by the end of the course

Explore courses

What can you expect

Primary and secondary

Subject Specialist support

The equivalent of 15 days of bespoke Subject Specialist support across the year and a dedicated Subject Specialist to support your development.
Easy registration

A range of schools and settings across the North East, tailored to your location. With a focus on wellbeing, pastoral support and stress management.
broad and balanced curriculum

An ambitious, broad and balanced curriculum which includes key research such as cognitive science and supporting pupils with SEND needs.
High levels of employment

In our program, you’ll acquire an advanced skill set, in-depth knowledge, and practical experience, positioning you with a rewarding career in education.

Courses Training Courses at Durham Scitt

At Durham SCITT we offer primary and secondary teacher training. Whichever phase you choose, our courses are well structured, based on the latest research and tailored to your individual needs. It is the bespoke nature of the courses that makes Durham SCITT a great place to train.

Courses

Interested in one of our courses?

Get Started Contact Us

More reasons to choose Durham SCITT

There are a lot of reasons to choose Durham SCITT. We were reaccredited for the delivery of teacher training leading to QTS by the DfE. Our high-quality curriculum and our relentless focus on preparing trainees for life as a teacher was recognised as excellent practice. We are with you throughout the journey, and we are the ones who award your QTS. There is no middle man or faceless organisation deciding your fate.

Many of our trainees secure employment at their placement school and 96% of trainees get a job by the end of the course. We have a 100% completion rate in a typical year because of the pastoral and wellbeing support we offer. Our PGCE is worth 60 masters credits and is delivered in partnership with Northumbria University. Primary trainees also benefit from our partnership with an English Hub and we work closely with Northern Lights Teaching School Hub to support their ITT provision. We work with over 100 partnership schools to make sure trainees have the best possible start to their journey to become a teacher.

Courses

100%

Pass Rate

97%

Employment rate

1000

We have trained nearly 1000 trainees since 2006

Our Trainees feedback

Read some recent feedback from our trainees.

"I’d heard really good things about Durham SCITT"

I’d always wanted to teach. When I was at school, I had some amazing teachers who were passionate about their subject and this got me thinking about teaching as a career. I’d heard good things about Durham SCITT - the opportunity to train to teach PE in a supportive environment where I could share ideas with other… trainees...

Chris Martin

Secondary Trainee

"Seeing children responding to your teaching, planning and resourcing is so rewarding!"

Both of my parents are teachers and I grew up hearing their stories about how much they enjoyed the job. It was following my degree that I first considered teaching. I took up a football coaching position and worked with children on a daily basis.

James Alderson

Primary Trainee

"I was looking for a hands on experience where I could immerse myself in school life."

The training by SCITT leads has been exceptional all year! Although nerve-wracking, I enjoyed the micro-teaches and thought they worked well as a stepping stone before placements. The support given by the SCITT staff and the placement schools has been second to none.

Hannah Davison

Primary Trainee

"I would most definitely recommend Durham SCITT… without hesitation!"

Durham SCITT is small enough so that everyone knows who you are, and what’s going on in your life, but big enough to give you all the specialist help and support you need. It gave me so much and I’m so pleased I chose to train at Durham SCITT.

Rachel Stephenson

Secondary Trainee

"My Subject Specialist was absolutely amazing."

I loved my time at Durham SCITT. It was hands on from the start and I knew I’d made the right choice - there was so much support. I’ve now been teaching for two years, and I can honestly say that Durham SCITT was a fantastic foundation for my teaching career! I felt fully prepared for my NQT...

Kayleigh Jobes

Secondary Trainee

Our story

Durham SCITT started training teachers in 2005. With an initial focus on ‘applied’ courses, School Centered Initial Teach Training was the new ‘hands on’ way to train to be a teacher. Based predominantly in school, trainees could develop their practice in the classroom, not in a lecture theatre. We offered a range of subjects such as Travel and Tourism and IT, as well as applied science. In 2011, the DfE decided to end applied courses and we began training a wider range of secondary subjects including geography and MFL.

Why Choose Us

Our most asked questions Frequently asked questions

We offer a well-planned, fully supported training programme that guides you through your training one step at a time. Secondary trainees have a dedicated Subject Specialist to support them with the development of their subject knowledge and primary trainees benefit from a well-structured programme of school experience and enhancement opportunities. All trainees are assigned a school mentor who will meet with trainees weekly and support their development. Placement schools generally offer an ‘in house’ CPD programme to supplement the training received from Durham SCITT.
As part of our SCITT programme, we provide both Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) to all trainees. Durham SCITT is the accredited provider and awarding body for QTS and Northumbria University award the PGCE element of the course.

To teach in England and Wales, teachers only need Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). However, to teach elsewhere, including Australia or Dubai (for example) you must also have the PGCE qualification. We think it makes sense to have both qualifications as it equips you with an additional set of skills ensuring you are a reflective practitioner and a resourceful classroom teacher. In addition to receiving your PGCE, you will also earn 60 credits towards a Masters in Education if you choose to do this at a later date. The PGCE is an academic award, whereas QTS is the recognition of a period of classroom focused training.
SCITT training starts with a blend of in school and in house training. This means you can observe the practice that has been discussed at the training sessions, deconstructing lessons, and getting into the nitty-gritty of what makes a good lesson. The course is a perfect balance between study and hands-on experience and, of course, you are supported all the way.