Initial Teacher Training
Teaching offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people. A great education builds confidence, opens doors and strengthens communities.
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Subject Knowledge Enhancements
Our fully-funded online Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses will equip you with the depth of subject knowledge and skills you need in order to teach your chosen subject as an initial teacher trainee.
Our SKE courses will help you to:
- Gain a comprehensive knowledge of your chosen subject at all key stages, in line with the requirements of the National Curriculum.
- Discover the optimum strategies for teaching the various ideas, skills and topics in your subject.
- Develop an ability to use subject knowledge to plan lessons and sequences of learning that lead to pupil progress.
- Understand pupils’ common misconceptions in the subject so these can be easily overcome.
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What is unique about our SKE programme?
As a successful group of academies, with a dedicated core team of subject directors, we offer something unique in the level of specialist support we can offer. Our resources are prepared and continually evaluated by a team of outstanding subject specialists, informed by the latest pedagogy and practice. Your learning will be supported by weekly tutor feedback and guidance from teaching professionals, along with subject-focused discussion on class forums.
How are the courses delivered and assessed?
Our SKE courses are delivered 100% online via our interactive e-learning platform, enabling you to learn in your spare time and fit your course in and around existing commitments. You can access course materials, pre-recorded webinars and self-study activities from any internet-enabled device at any time, making learning extremely flexible.
Your subject knowledge will be assessed during the course via a combination of audits, assessments and reflections to help you identify your strengths and areas for development, and ensure that you are making progress.
How long do you need to study?
We recommend that you should study 25 hours per week on a full-time SKE course to support appropriate subject knowledge development in preparation for your Initial Teacher Training. Our part-time option allows you to spread this learning time over a fortnight, so an 8-week SKE course would take 16 weeks to complete, covering the same material.
DfE-funded SKE courses are available with us for:
Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics from 8-28 weeks.
The number of weeks you should study depends on the level of your existing subject knowledge, which you will determine with the help of your initial teacher training provider and also the subject that you are training to teach.
We also offer SKE courses across 8-28 weeks in English and Biology, although these are not currently funded by the DfE
How much DfE funding will I receive?
There are bursaries available for each length of course we offer:
| 8 week SKE | £1400 |
| 12 week SKE | £2100 |
| 16 week SKE | £2800 |
| 20 week SKE | £3500 |
| 28 week SKE | £4900 |
| *You are eligible to apply if you have a minimum of a 2.2 degree, and hold a conditional offer with an ITT provider with a condition to complete a SKE. | |
Cost of self-funded SKEs
| 8 week SKE | £800 |
| 12 week SKE | £1200 |
| 16 week SKE | £1600 |
| 20 week SKE | £2000 |
| 24 week SKE | £2400 |
| 28 week SKE | £2800 |
Part sponsorship and bespoke packages for multiple participants and groups of schools may be available.