Train to Teach with School Direct
The West London Teaching Alliance is now recruiting for September 2018
and would love to hear from you
School Direct
Applications for 2018-2019 can be made through UCAS Teaching Training using the ‘Apply” system found at Our school is a School Direct partnerwith Montpelier Primary School (West London Teaching Alliance). You can find us by typing the postcode W5 2QT or our UCAS code 2F3.
The West London Teaching Alliance is offeringboth salaried and non-salaried School Direct Training routesin partnership with Roehampton University.
What is School Direct?
School Direct courses are based on schools looking to directly train newly qualified teachers (NQTs). Designed by groups of schools in partnership with a university provider (in our case Roehampton), the schools recruit you as a trainee with a job in mind just for you. This is a popular choice for those who hope to secure a role in the network of schools where they train.
School Direct courses generally last a year and result in qualified teacher status (QTS) – most also award you apostgraduate certificate in education(PGCE)and/or Master’s-level credits.
You’ll train in at least two schools, getting the chance to learn ‘on the job’ – but you shouldn’t worry about being thrown in at the deep end. You’ll be part of a team from the very start, receiving intensive support from experienced teachers and mentors. That means you won’t be teaching classes unsupported until the school thinks you’re ready.
The principles of academic rigour on School Direct are the same as on university-led courses. You may also be eligible for atraining bursary or scholarshipand can apply for the same financial support, such as student loans.
Types of training places and funding:
There are 2 types of School Direct training places available.
School Direct (tuition fee) places
These places are open to all graduates and funded by a tuition fee of £9,250 paid by you. To find out if you’re eligible for a training bursary or scholarship, please see
School Direct (salaried) places
These places are aimed mainly at graduates with 3 or more years’ work experience and trainees are employed as an unqualified teacher.
Why train with us?
The West London Teaching Alliance has a collaborative School Direct partnership of 9 primary schools in the London Borough of Ealing. Dedicated to delivering excellence in education as well as first class teacher training, the WLTA works in partnership with Roehampton University to offer an exciting and innovative School Direct programme.
With a record for delivering high quality professional development for teachers, our training practice is well known in Ealing and, consequently, the WLTA now delivers Ealing borough’s induction training for newly qualified teachers.
Providing comprehensive and fully supportive guidance from our mentors, the WLTA gives trainees a unique chance to become grounded in a broad and balanced range of specialisms and an opportunity to experience a day at every one of our School Direct schools.
Highly skilled practitioners at Montpelier, North Ealing, Lady Margaret, Oaklands, Viking, St John’s, St Mark’s, West Twyford and Derwentwater primary schools will each offer a full day of training. Trainees can also choose to take part in further elective options.
To find out more about each of the schools in our teacher training partnership, please see enclosed and visit their web pages at:
Montpelier Primary School -
North Ealing Primary School -
Lady Margaret Primary School -
Oaklands Primary School -
West Twyford Primary School -
St Mark’s Primary School -
Viking Primary School -
Derwentwater Primary School -
St John’s Primary School -
About our training programme:
With the WLTA, trainees will have the opportunity to become immersed in the culture and ethos of a diverse group of schools and will benefit from working alongside experienced and supportive teachers. Trainees will learn about best practice with training in the following areas taking place in our nine different schools.
Training Days:
Behaviour management
Reading
Art of writing
Maths
Science
EAL
Assessment
Pedagogy
SEN
Dealing with parents
Values Based Education
Safeguarding
Mental Health
Speech & Language/Communications
Computing
Elective Training Days:
Philosophy & Debate
Forest School
Singapore Maths
Our training locations and placement schools are locally based across Ealing – applicants must be happy to travel.
Entry Requirements
All candidates are required to have, or are expected to gain:
- A good degree of a United Kingdom Higher Education Institution of 2.2 or above
- GCSE English Language, Mathematics and Science at Grade C or above
- 2 A levels or equivalent
Applicants must be a graduate with a minimum of a 2.2 degree although applicants with a 2.1 or 1stclass degree will be seen as more desirable.
Graduates will need to be able to demonstrate a real aptitude for teaching. Applicants can apply from any degree subject discipline; however applicants will need to demonstrate how the skills, knowledge and understanding developed within the degree are applicable to primary teaching. Applicants who are currently retaking a GCSE or awaiting a degree classification will be offered a conditional place if successful on interview until the grade can be confirmed.
Additionally, all trainee teachers who start initial teacher training programmes in England must pass the Department of Education’s professional skills tests in numeracy and literacy before they can start a training programme. For further information about these skills tests, visit the Department for Education’s website at
Experience
Applicants must have:
-Experience within the past 2 years of working with children in a school or other settings.
- An informed professional reference to support the work experience.
- A reference containing a strong recommendation that they are suitable to train as a primary school teacher.
In addition to the academic qualifications we will consider the full range of knowledge, skills and prior experiences of every application in judging whether the applicant is capable of meeting the requirements.
Personal Attributes
Applicants must articulate a clear and appropriate reason for wanting to teach children
- Convey commitment and enthusiasm to primary teaching
- Demonstrate openness to learning and self-development
- Demonstrate a desire and passion to teach young children
- Demonstrate the correct use of standard English
-It is essential that all applicants gain some insight into what is involved in being a teacher, this does not have to be paid work in a school it could be in an informal environment such as brownies, sport coaching or summer school.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the specific entry requirements detailed, the following DfE Requirements must be met.
All candidates must:
- Meet the Secretary of State's requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach
- Have been subject to a Disclosure and Barring enhanced disclosure check
- Have the intellectual and academic capabilities needed to meet the required DfE Teachers' Standards
- Communicate clearly and accurately in Standard English
- Possess the appropriate qualities, attitudes and values expected of a teacher
- Have passed the professional skills tests in English and mathematics prior to the start of the programme
What are we looking for?
We are interested in applications from trainees who will bring enthusiasm, self-organisation, resilience, determination and motivation to the teaching environment. You will be passionate about ensuring every child succeeds and be driven by a desire to make a difference. Successful candidates need to enjoy working in teams, have the ability to deal with a heavy workload and be adaptable, considering different elements of pedagogy. Staff must also be reflective, welcoming feedback to improve provision within a professionally secure environment. We look to employ professionals with secure interpersonal skills, empathy and a good sense of humour.
How we select our trainees:
Applicants who successfully meet the entrance criteria will be invited to an assessment day and will be interviewed by our panel before sitting a 45 minute written task. You will also be asked to take part in a teaching activity.