Generally, a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is equivalent to an undergraduate degree. However, a School Direct course is a hybrid course, combining University and school studies. You will have a manager within the school hub who will monitor your progress and advise you on any further steps. The School Direct programme will also provide you with a professional mentor who can offer additional support. Here are some tips for obtaining a PGCE.
Unlike PGCE courses
School Direct will give you an instant immersion into school life. During your training, you will work alongside experienced teachers in schools. This will allow you to experience teaching from the very beginning and build long-lasting relationships with students and colleagues. Applicants who choose this route should be aware that the salary is considerably lower than a traditional PGCE course. Regardless of the amount of time you spend in school, you can expect a competitive salary and a full teaching pension.
SCITT
The School Direct teacher training route is an employment-based route that can be used by both experienced and inexperienced teachers. The training is delivered in schools in collaboration with SCITT. Several School Direct programmes offer a PGCE, PGDE or QTS, which can lead to a higher salary. The School Direct programme also offers a salary to experienced teachers. Despite these factors, there are some disadvantages to SchoolDirect.
