• Initial Teacher Education
• School Direct
• • Partnership schools
  • Selection guidance

School Direct

School Direct is an innovative new school-led route into teaching and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), as well as enabling opportunities into PGCE (postgraduate certificate in education) study.

Partnership schools working in collaboration with the Department of Education at the University of Sussex share in the selection, training and assessment of beginning teachers. Schools - or networks of schools - also decide which subjects or 'phases' they wish to train based on potential employment needs, and select a training route and provider which suits their expertise, partnership and specialisms.

For 2013, in partnership with over 15 successful local schools we are offering School Direct training routes across Primary and Secondary phases.

See Partnership schools for a list of schools currently working in partnership with us on School Direct with an indication of what subjects and routes are available for trainees.
NOTE: The list constitutes lead schools only. Many schools are working in partnership with others so please look carefully at where you want to and might train.

Training routes

Applicants can choose to train either via School Direct or the School Direct (salaried) route.

The School Direct route is a postgraduate course funded by tuition fees paid by the trainees (supported by Student Finance) who may be eligible to receive a bursary from the Teaching Agency (TA). Trainees are registered on an appropriate PGCE course via which they can obtain both QTS and an academic award. See the Fees and funding tab on any PGCE course in the prospectus for latest/current fees.

The School Direct (salaried) route is employment-based and requires the trainee to be employed by a school as an unqualified teacher whilst they train. Candidates get 60 days worth of training and can be required to teach up to 90% of a teachers' timetable. As an employee of a school, candidates have the same rights and responsibilities as any other teacher at that school. This route is therefore aimed at high-quality graduates with three or more years' worth of career experience. This route is similar to our Graduate Teacher Programme which is currently in its final year. No fee is applicable to those training on this route.

Further details about School Direct can be found on the Teaching Agency website.

To find out more about TA bursaries and/or scholarship opportunities, see the Department for Education's website.

How to apply

Applications are made via the TA's School Direct portal which allows you to search for local partnerships offering School Direct before you apply. Once completed, applications are received by the University and then passed directly on to schools for their consideration. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed by both the University and the school.

See our Selection Guidance which we have produced to assist you - as well as new school partners - in understanding the selection process.