Whether you’re looking for Primary PGCE training in Bristol or want to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through hands-on experience, our programme is designed to help you succeed.
What is Primary Teacher Training with SCITT?
Our School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme places you at the heart of the classroom from the very beginning. You’ll spend most of your year working in local schools, supported by expert mentors, while also developing your professional knowledge and skills through centre-based training.
Successful completion of the programme leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which allows you to teach in primary schools across England. Many of our trainees also choose to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with 60 Master’s level credits, delivered in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University. This balance of practical and academic training gives you the strongest possible start to your teaching career.
Where will you train?
School placements
You’ll spend a minimum of 24 weeks on school placements, spread across at least two schools. This gives you contrasting experiences, often across both Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7) and Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11). Placements are based in our partnership schools across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North-East Somerset, North Somerset and Somerset.
When choosing your placement schools, we take into account:
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Distance from your home and access to transport
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Preferred Key Stage where possible
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The ethos of individual schools
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Family circumstances, disability or additional learning needs
Throughout your placements you’ll be supported by a school-based mentor and a lead mentor, alongside guidance from our programme leaders. This means you’re never on your own – there’s always someone there to help you succeed.
Where you’ll study
Alongside your school experience, you’ll attend weekly centre-based training at the CLF Institute, Russell Town Avenue, Bristol (BS5 9JH). Here, you’ll work with subject specialists, teacher educators and fellow trainees to reflect on practice, share experiences and deepen your professional knowledge.
How school placements work
Our placements are carefully designed to build your confidence step by step. At the start of the year, you’ll focus on working with small groups of pupils and teaching parts of lessons. As the year progresses, you’ll gradually take on more responsibility – planning and teaching full lessons, and eventually leading sequences of learning across whole classes.
At every stage, you’ll receive regular feedback and coaching from your mentor, helping you to grow into an independent, reflective practitioner. You’ll also experience intensive practice weeks where you focus on key areas of the primary curriculum, applying theory directly into practice.
This blend of structured support and gradual independence ensures you are fully prepared to step into the classroom as a confident primary teacher by the end of the programme.
The Primary training pathway
The training year follows a clear, supportive structure:
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Induction – You’ll begin with an introduction to reflective practice, safeguarding and collaborative learning with your peers.
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Intensive training and practice weeks – Expert-led training focused on specific teaching approaches, with opportunities to practise and apply in real classrooms.
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Main school placements – Two long placements where you’ll work with pupils across different Key Stages, supported by dedicated mentors.
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Weekly centre-based training – Regular sessions at our Bristol and Weston-super-Mare centres, linking theory to practice and building your subject knowledge.
This layered pathway means you’ll develop steadily, gaining the skills, confidence and resilience you need to thrive in the classroom.
Why choose Five Counties SCITT for Primary Teacher Training?
Values-driven training
We believe in excellent education for all children, especially those facing disadvantage. Our placements include schools that are rich in cultural diversity, with many pupils learning English as an additional language. This gives you the experience and confidence to work in any school community.
Outstanding training and support
Ofsted rated our provision Outstanding in 2024, praising the consistently high quality of training and the exceptional pastoral care we provide. Trainees describe the SCITT as 'a family', where support for wellbeing and workload is a priority.
Employment opportunities
Our strong partnerships with local schools mean that many trainees go on to secure teaching jobs in the region immediately after qualifying. We also provide ongoing support in your first years as a teacher, helping you to transition smoothly from training into employment.
Types of Primary Teacher Training courses available
We offer a range of Primary SCITT programmes to suit different career goals:
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Primary Early Years (3-7) – Focused on Early Years and Key Stage 1.
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Primary (5-11) – Covering the full breadth of primary education across Key Stages 1 and 2.
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Primary with SEND (5-11) – Specialist training for those who want to work with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
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Primary with maths (5-11) – Enhanced training for those with a particular subject interest in maths.
- Primary with music (5-11) – Enhanced training for those with a particular subject interest in music.
Whichever route you choose, you’ll benefit from expert mentoring, hands-on school experience and a strong academic foundation.