What is School Direct?

Find out more about School Direct

Train to teach Primary

Train to be a Primary School Teacher

Train to Teach Secondary

Train to be a Secondary Teacher

School Experience

We can offer you School Experience

South Cumbria School Direct

South Cumbria School Direct is an innovative, school-led Initial Teacher Training model run from our base within the family of Furness Education Trust schools in Barrow and across South Cumbria. Our courses run in conjunction with those of our ‘outstanding provider’, the Ripley ITT, Lancaster.

‘Trainees experience a first-class ITE curriculum at SCSC/Ripley ITT. As a result, all trainees are exceptionally well prepared to assume their role as early
career teachers (ECTs). The training programme is meticulously designed and implemented to reflect trainees’ individual needs’ OFSTED June 2023

As a School Direct we offer both 12 month primary and secondary programmes. These include a PGCE, through Leeds Beckett University which includes 60 credits at Master’s level. As an organisation we are strongly connected to our local community and our goal to provide high quality teacher training for people living in Cumbria through a diverse selection of schools located right across South Cumbria.

As a trainee teacher on the South Cumbria School Direct Programmes you will spend a much greater proportion of time in school than you would on a traditional PGCE programme, giving you a far greater exposure to the workspace of a school and the realities of the job. Our innovative curriculum is delivered by talented lead practitioners working in schools across our partnership and in Ripley. This will facilitate much stronger links between theory and practice, enabling you to apply pedagogical knowledge in the classroom and reflect upon it immediately. The fact that it has been developed by people actually working in schools means that everything taught is based on the latest classroom practice, underpinned by cutting edge research

South Cumbria School Direct

Why You Should Train With Us

Our programmes allow you to learn on the job as you work towards your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) recommendation. 

We offer practical, hands-on teacher training programmes taught by highly experienced teachers and senior and specialist leaders of education. All our placements are within the Furness Peninsula and South Cumbria, ensuring that you can train close to home, without worrying about long commutes. Our pedagogical training takes place at our partner school in Ripley, Lancaster, one day per week

Invaluable Experience

Work with high quality mentors and experienced professional teachers with years of ‘hands on’ classroom experience.

Highly Recommended
Our training programme is highly valued and recommended by our trainees and the schools in which we work – just look at the testimonials and pen portraits of our past trainees.
Tailored Programmes

An ambitious, modern, robust and relevant curriculum which is rich in experiential learning and is delivered by expert practitioners across our partner schools.

Extremely Supportive

Excellent pastoral care and personal tutoring to ensure that you are fully supported throughout the year.

Gain PGCE With QTS

We will give you the skills and experience required to become a highly effective, fully qualified teacher. Our  programme gives you Qualified Teacher Status and the optional PGCE qualification includes 60 credits at Master’s level.

Good & Outstanding Schools

Placements and training in real school contexts – offering varied and contrasting experiences. We work with a wide range of schools from across the Furness Peninsula and South Cumbria

Excellent Employment Rate

Our students are highly successful in securing teaching posts with employment rates standing at almost 100%.

testimonials

Explore the Students Experience

Ashleigh Patterson, Trainee Teacher

The comfort and encouragement provided is something which I will always be grateful for.

Rachel Kipling, Drama and PD Teacher

Since completing my training I have gone on to secure a job teaching Drama and Personal Development

Lauren Hoyland, Trainee Teacher

Before starting the South Cumbria School Direct programme I worked at a local school as a teaching assistant.