UCAS

All teacher training applications are made via UCAS, you will submit your form with them and notifications of interview and offers will be sent through the UCAS portal. The UCAS website has lots of useful information regarding application advice and has details of deadlines and opening dates.

Student Finance – tax free bursaries and scholarships

There are a range of grants, bursaries and scholarships available to support you in your training  year. Details of bursaries and scholarships available to support your training are available here.

If applicable to you we would encourage applicants to apply for the scholarships as this will not only fund you more generously the subject association will give you access to a range of helpful resources and training to support you during your training year.

Student Finance England is the organisation that arranges bursaries and special support grants for students in the England. Eligible Welsh nationals/ residents should alternatively apply through Student Finance Wales and may receive additional grant funding.

For further information on financial support please go to the ‘Get into teaching’ website funding section.

School Experience

Undertaking relevant school experience can be an important part of you deciding whether to train to teach. Whilst evidence of school experience is not a decisive factor in our selection process we are always happy to facilitate school experience visits. If you would like to visit one of our schools please contact Hilary Sutton on [email protected]

UK NARIC – for those with overseas qualifications

We ask that anyone applying to Teach Kent &  Sussex who holds overseas qualifications contacts NARIC for a statement of comparability. This should be done in advance of interview and must be done before an offer can be made. NARIC will confirm that the level of the qualification studied is comparable to the public examinations taken at GCSE level and studies at UK undergraduate degree level.

Please note that there is a charge per standard application, but multiple qualifications can be made on one application and therefore most applicants need only apply once.

Professional Skills Tests

It is a national requirement that all prospective trainee teachers pass Professional Skills Tests in numeracy and literacy before they can start their training course.

The professional skills tests for prospective teachers assess the core skills that teachers need to fulfil their professional role in schools, rather than subject knowledge needed for learning. This is to ensure that all teachers are competent in numeracy and literacy, regardless of their specialism.

The numeracy and literacy skills tests:

• are in addition to the GCSE grade C or grade 4 equivalence entry requirement
• are set in the context of the professional role of a teacher
• assess the use of real data and information which teachers are likely to encounter
• are computerised and can be taken at any of the approved test centres throughout the UK

Passing The Skills Tests

You have to pass the professional skills tests in numeracy and literacy before you begin your teacher training with us. You can resit the tests an unlimited number of times; the first three attempts are free of charge. If you are worried about passing, and have been offered a place on our programme, please let us know. We offer twilight training to help prepare you for passing the tests.

You can also practise beforehand by taking some of the online practice tests which will help you to familiarise yourself with the look and feel of the tests as well as revise the different content areas covered by the tests

Booking the Skills Tests:

When you’re ready, you’ll need to book your tests with learndirect. The website will give you the five nearest centres to your chosen location, though if you are able to take the tests elsewhere you can include alternative locations. Do keep checking the website for the latest availability though, as additional test slots are made available on a regular basis.

If we have made you a conditional offer and have not yet booked your tests, don’t worry – but do let us know, and inform us when you do take the tests.

If English isn’t your first language or you have different needs to other candidates – such as a hearing or visual impairment, a physical disability, or dyslexia – you can ask for special arrangements to be made or additional time in your tests. You’ll need to make your request in advance and ensure you supply any stipulated evidence to prove you require special arrangements.

For further information on the Skills Tests:

For a full overview and additional information about the tests, please visit the Department for Education’s dedicated skills tests pages. 

If you experience any difficulties, call learndirect’s helpline on 0300 303 9613 (available 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday).