Durham Secondary Applied SCITT

Durham Secondary Applied SCITT
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How To Apply

Here you can find information to take you through the entry requirements, the pre-course tasks, the application process and the interview.

To register your interest please use our contact form to upload your CV and a brief personal statement.

Durham Secondary Applied SCITT is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all potential trainees regardless of age, gender, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, disability, political or religious belief, or socio-economic class.

Application Process

All applications should be made through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR). We do not accept direct applications.

You will need the following information to apply:

Institution code name: DSAS
Institution code: D87

Course Code
Art and Design W1XC
Science with Biology CX1A
Science with Chemistry CX3A
Physics with Mathematics F3GX
Health and Social Care LX5C
Mathematics G1X1
Geography F8X1
History V1X1

Course type and length:
Full-time, one year course (September until the end of June) studying for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a PGCE.

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Entry Requirements

Qualifications

You must possess:

  1. GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics (equivalency tests can be completed via Equivalence Testing www.equivalencetesting.com)
  2. a degree or recognised equivalent in your Subject Specialism or a strongly related area.

Protection of Children (DES Circular 4/86) Disclosure of Criminal Background of Those With Access to Children

We have a duty to ensure that anyone with "substantial access" to children does not have a criminal record or offences which would render them unsuitable for such work. You will be required to agree to the police checking your records. You will not be permitted to begin your training without being in possession of an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure. If you have spent a significant amount of time abroad you will need to ensure you have a Certificate of Good Conduct from the country/countries visited. Please contact us if you need more information regarding the Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.

Fitness to Teach

Admission to the course is also dependent upon meeting the Secretary of State’s requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach as detailed in Fitness to Teach for Employers and ITT Providers 2007 (DFE).

Mathematics

  1. Mathematics degree or a degree in which at least 50% of the modules are mathematics related e.g. certain degrees in Accountancy and Engineering may be considered. Where we feel the Mathematics content of your degree is not sufficient you will be required to complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement Course.
  2. A level Mathematics at grade C or above

Art and Design

  1. At least an A or B at A-Level Art and Design or Fine Art
  2. A degree strongly related to Art and Design.
  3. Good observational drawing skills
  4. Competent in using 3D and/or 2D materials
  5. Good knowledge of the History of Art
  6. Some knowledge of the use of Art and Design in a vocational setting

Health and Social Care

  1. A degree in Psychology, Sociology or Sport Science may be considered.
  2. Preferably some experience of working in the Health and Social Care sector.

Science with Biology or Chemistry

  1. A-levels in at least 2 of the sciences.
  2. A science degree or a degree with a high scientific content (over 50% in the relevant subject). If your degree is between 30% and 50% you may be required to do a Subject Knowledge Enhancement Course.

Physics with Mathematics

  1. A degree which has modules pertaining to Physics and Mathematics. Degrees we would consider are most Engineering degrees (aeronautical, chemical, mechanical and electrical), Physics and Astronomy degrees.

Geography and History

  1. A degree in which at least 50% was related to the course in which you would like to study plus a level 3 qualification in a relevant subject (e.g. A-level). Degrees we would consider relevant to teach Geography are Geography, Geology, Envoronmental Science, Planning, Development Education, GIS. Degrees we would consider relevant to teach History are History, Politics and Archaeology.
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Interview Process

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Once your application has been passed to us from the GTTR we must decide whether you are a suitable candidate via our selection process.

The selection process is made up of five main parts:

  1. A teaching task
  2. Formal interview
  3. Numeracy and Literacy Test
  4. A written exercise
  5. A subject and ICT audit

The teaching task

You will be asked to teach a fundamental concept from your subject area. You will be expected to teach the topic chosen from the list supplied.

The formal interview

You will be asked a series of questions which will allow us to assess your knowledge and understanding of recent educational issues, your personal skills and attributes and your decision to enter the teaching profession.

Numeracy and Literacy Test

In order to assess your potential to pass the TDA Numeracy and Literacy tests whilst on the course, we ask you to complete a condensed version of the tests as part of the interview process.

The written exercise & audits

The written exercise will be used to assess your ability to communicate in standard written English.

The subject and ICT audit will be used to assess your ability to reach the standard required for subject knowledge by the end of the course; it will also be used to form the basis of your Individual Training Plan.

Copies of these are kept electronically so that large print versions can be made available on request. If required additional time will be allocated for the completion of the written exercise and audits.

Decision

The decision to make a final offer will be based on:

  1. A high score on the teaching task.
  2. A high score on the interview and a satisfactory score overall.
  3. Qualitative comments made by the interviewers.
  4. Evidence of sufficient subject knowledge from the skills audit.
  5. Evidence of the ability to read effectively and use written Standard English from the literacy task.
  6. Further consideration of qualifications, predicted grades, personal statement and references.
Consideration of any specific extenuating circumstances.
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Funding

The information below is for those applying in 2012/13.

Tuition Fees & Maintenance Grant 2012/13

Tuition fees now apply for those on courses leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). For 2012/13 Durham Secondary Applied SCITT intends to charge £9,000 (subject to approval)

The fees need not be paid ‘upfront’ but can be paid by taking out a loan from the Student Loan Company (if eligible) and then repaid when you are earning over £15,000 (as with the current student loan system).

  1. If eligible for student finance you may receive a Maintenance Grant of up to £3,250
Household Income How Much?
£25,000 or less Full £3,250 grant
Between £25,001 and £42,600 Partial grant
More than £42,600 No grant

The amount of Maintenance Grant you receive will affect the amount of Maintenance Loan you can borrow. The amount of Maintenance Loan you can receive will also be affected by your family's income, where you live and what year of study you are in.

  1. The maximum amounts for 2012/13 are:
Living at your parents' home up to £4,375
Living in your own home and studying outside of London up to £5,500

Bursaries 2012/13

Bursaries for 2012/13 are dependent on subject and degree classification

Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry trainees will receive a £20,000 training bursary if they hold a first class honours degree, £15,000 training bursary if they hold a 2.1 degree and a £12,000 training bursary if they hold a 2.2 degree

Art and Design, Biology, Geography and History trainees will receive a £9,000 training bursary if they hold a first class honours degree, £5,000 training bursary if they hold a 2.1 degree and a £0 training bursary if they hold a 2.2 degree

Health and Social Care trainees will not receive a training bursary

Application Process 2012/13

You must apply for the Tuition Fee Loan, Maintenance Grant and Maintenance Loan online at:

www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

There is no application process for the training bursary as it is administered by the SCITT.

Eligibility 2012/13

The previous information is for applicants who normally live in England. If you do not live in England, you can find out more information relevant to where you live at one of these websites:

  1. Wales: www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
  2. Northern Ireland: www.studentfinanceni.co.uk
  3. Scotland: www.saas.gov.uk
  4. EU nationals: www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance-EU

Normally you must be living in England on the first day of your course and either:

  1. have been living in the UK, the Channel Islands of the Isle of Man for the three years immediately before this date and have 'settled status' in the UK (meaning you can live permanently in the UK without the Home Office placing any restrictions on how long you can stay); or
  2. meet the requirements of one of the other UK residency categories listed in the booklet 'Higher Education Student Finance - How you are assessed and paid?'

To qualify for a Maintenance Loan you need to be aged less than 60 when you start your course. There is no upper age limit on grants and Tuition Fee Loans.

Other grants/allowances 2011/12

  1. Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs): DSAs are available if you have a disability, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty. For more detailed information, you can get a guide called 'Bridging the Gap: A guide to the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) in higher education'
  2. If you have any children or adult dependents and you want to go into higher education, there is financial help available to you, including a Childcare Grant, Parents' Learning Allowance and Adult Dependants' Grant. You can find more information in the booklet 'Childcare Grant and other support for student parents in higher education'
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Pre-course Activities

The more preparation done prior to starting the course the more successful the training will be. (Please note that some activities may be conditions of any offer.)

Possible pre-course activities:

  1. Spending time in a Secondary School
  2. Reading educational books
  3. Subject booster courses
  4. Reading subject specific books
  5. Watching Teachers’ TV programmes
  6. Familiarise yourself with current educational issues
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Durham Secondary Applied SCITT is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all potential trainees regardless of age, gender, race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, disability, political or religious belief, or socio-economic class.