To meet the national criteria for teacher training you must have a GCSE (or equivalent) in maths and English of grade C/ new grade 4 or above. Those applying for primary must also have a science grade C/ new grade 4 or above. You will also need to have completed an undergraduate, first degree before the start of the programme. For further details about subject specific entry requirements please look up individual courses on the Department for Education teacher training search portal.

If you do not have a GCSE qualification you will need to undertake an Equivalency Test, please see the section below for more information.

On successful completion of our programmes you will be awarded QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). This is the professional qualification for teachers in England and is the qualification that nearly all schools, academies and free schools expect applicants for teaching jobs to have.

For everyone who trains with us there is also the option to add a Masters level PGCE to your programme. The PGCE element is provided and assessed by the University of Sussex. You can register for the PGCE element once you have started your QTS programme with us. The face to face sessions for the PGCE take place as part of our Wednesday afternoon professional studies sessions held at the Teach Kent & Sussex hub in Tunbridge Wells.

There are many factors which affect decision-making for placements and ultimately the decision will be made by the Director of SCITT and partner schools.

At interview we will ask if you have a preference for specific schools or wish to be placed in a school in a specific part of our Kent and Sussex region. We will always try to accommodate preferences but cannot make any guarantees.

Each year some of our trainees who have previously been Teaching Assistants are able to carry on training in their current school. Certainly it may be possible to complete your main placement at your current school. You should discuss this with your Headteacher in advance of application and they must contact us to confirm that they would like to support your training once we have decided to offer you a place to train to teach with us.

Remember that you will complete two placements and will need to be successful in the normal recruitment and selection process; working in a school is not a guarantee of a place on the programme.

Absolutely, all of our programmes are open to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Yes, if you are new to the area or are looking to move then we might be able to help you find suitable, affordable accommodation using the networks we have within our partner schools.

It is no longer part of the essential criteria for salaried candidates to have 3 years post-degree work experience. Due to the salaried nature of the programme candidates must be able to demonstrate well-rounded skills and experiences which will enable them to tackle the more demanding approach to the programme.

Yes you can but our offer will be on condition that you achieve a grade 4 or above. If taking a double science GCSE you will need to achieve at least a 4-4 grade.