School Direct routes - 2023/24
The University of Hertfordshire is a nominated provider for our School Direct partners. We provide training in primary and secondary settings, including special schools. We offer the following School Direct routes:
- School Direct PGCE (unsalaried). This is a fee-paying, unsalaried route. The student teacher is registered as a full-time PGCE student at the University of Hertfordshire. This includes working towards a recommendation for QTS and 60 Level 7 (masters level) credits. Student teachers have applied directly to a school and, therefore, know the school in which they will undertake school-based training. The student teacher is supernumerary (an additional member of the team not employed by the school and not solely responsible for classes). This is the School Direct PGCE route (SD PGCE).
- School Direct Salaried. This is an employment-based route. The student teacher is employed by the training school and registered as a part-time student at the University of Hertfordshire. SDS student teachers may have been appointed as supernumerary, partially supernumerary or not supernumerary. This route leads to a recommendation for QTS. This is the School Direct Salaried route (SDS).
- School Direct non-supported. For student teachers working in independent schools or state schools without a training allocation from the Department for Education. This is an employment-based route.
Lead Schools are allocated training places by the Department of Education.
School Direct PGCE (unsalaried) - primary or secondary
In partnership with the University of Hertfordshire, the main features of the route are:
- student teachers are enrolled as full-time postgraduate students at the University of Hertfordshire studying for a primary or secondary Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE at masters Level)
- student teachers apply directly to the Lead School who will confirm the name and location of the school in which they will undertake their training
- at the end of the programme, successful student teachers will be awarded a primary or secondary PGCE, which includes a recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status and 60 masters level credits
- the student teacher attends centre-based training with Herts one day per week
- student teachers may apply for and be entitled to a student loan from Student Finance England
- the University of Hertfordshire fees for UK students in 2023/24 is £9,250
- training bursaries are available for eligible students in some secondary subjects
- student teachers have a home school working in partnership with their recruiting Lead School which was involved in their recruitment and selection
- student teachers enrolled on this route must not be in receipt of a salary
- the University of Hertfordshire, as the accredited provider, is accountable for quality assuring the training and ensuring that the training meets the terms of the ITT supporting advice and guidance.
School Direct Salaried - primary or secondary
In partnership with the University of Hertfordshire, the main features of the route are:
- student teachers are employed full time by their training school on a minimum of point one of the Unqualified Teachers' Pay Spine
- student teachers are registered as part-time postgraduate students of the University of Hertfordshire
- the qualification aim for this route is Qualified Teacher Status. This does not include masters' level credits
- the student teacher attends centre-based training with Herts one day per week
- the Lead School pays the University of Hertfordshire £5,200 for training
- unlike unsalaried routes, salaried student teachers may be responsible for classes immediately and are not necessarily appointed as supernumerary (additional) members of staff
- student teachers on this route are ineligible for training bursaries
- the University of Hertfordshire, as the accredited provider, remains accountable for the quality of the training and ensuring the training meets and continues to meet the Initial Teacher Training criteria.
Funding to schools for salaried allocations
For the School Direct Salaried route, funding is provided to Lead Schools by the Department for Education.
School Direct (salaried) funding manual
School Direct guidance for schools