Your guide to applying for Teacher Training courses (Primary & Secondary)

Before applying, make sure you meet the entry requirements for teacher training. You’ll usually need:

• A degree (or equivalent) awarded by a UK higher education institution.

• GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in English and mathematics. For Primary training, you also need GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in science.

If you’re unsure about your qualifications, you can contact us for guidance. We also welcome applications from career changers and those with international qualifications.

Five Counties SCITT offers a range of courses to suit your ambitions, including Primary (3-7, 5-11, SEND) and Secondary subject specialisms.
When choosing, think about:

• Which age group or subject you want to teach.

• Your career goals and interests.

• The location of placements and study sites.

All applications are made through the government’s Apply for Teacher Training service. When you’re ready, click the 'Apply' button on our course page, which will take you directly to the course on the GOV.UK. apply system.

You’ll need to include:

• The course code for your chosen SCITT programme.

• Your personal details and qualifications.

• A personal statement explaining why you want to train to teach.

Once we receive your application, our team carefully reviews it. We’re looking for people who demonstrate:

• A passion for teaching and working with young people.

• A commitment to inclusion and improving outcomes for all pupils.

• The resilience and reflective skills needed to succeed in training.

If your application is successful, you’ll be shortlisted and invited to attend an assessment day.

The assessment day is an important part of the process. It usually includes:

• A short teaching activity or task.

• A written task to assess your subject knowledge and communication skills.

• An interview with our programme leaders.

You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and meet members of the SCITT team. We want this to be a two-way process so you can decide if Five Counties SCITT is the right fit for you.

If you’re successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer. This may be subject to completing checks such as an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance and references.

If you’re not successful, we’ll provide feedback to help you with future applications.

Once you’ve accepted your offer, we’ll support you with pre-course preparation so you feel ready to start in September. You can also explore more about what training looks like on our website.