School Direct is a route into teaching which is led by schools, which allows those who have just finished a degree, or have been working in a career for many years, to combine teacher training with actually learning on the job. It enables schools, and groups of schools, to play more of a role in the recruitment and selection of the trainees who best meet their needs, with the expectation that those teachers will go on to work in the group of schools where they trained.

The Professional Learning Network is working in partnership with Mid Essex ITT to deliver the Secondary School Direct programmes and with Essex Primary SCITT  to deliver the Primary School Direct programme.

Candidates are invited to apply through our lead teaching school, Lyons Hall Primary and Secondary Partnership, through the UCAS website, UCAS code 1JW.

There are two separate School Direct training options:

School Direct Training Programme is for high-quality graduates who want to be part of a school team from day one. It is funded by tuition fees paid by the trainee, who may receive a bursary of up to £30,000 to support them while they train. Places are available for those wishing to teach Primary, Art and Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design and Technology, Drama, English, Geography, History, Maths, Media Studies, Modern Languages, Physics, Psychology and Religious Education.

School Direct Training Programme (salaried) is an employment-based route for high-quality experienced graduates. You are employed as an unqualified teacher by a school and earn a salary while you train. High quality graduates will typically have a 2:1 degree or higher. Placements may be available for those who wish to teach the following: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design and Technology, English, Geography, History, Maths, Modern Languages and Physics.

On successful completion of the programme, trainees are recommended for Qualified Teacher Status, a recognised qualification which all new teachers have to gain to be employed as a qualified teacher. Most of our Secondary programmes also include a PGCE qualification.

Primary School Partners

All Saints C of E Primary, Beckers Green Primary School, Bocking Church Street Primary School, Brightlingsea Junior School, Cressing Primary School, de Vere Primary School, Finchingfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Great Bardfield Primary School, Great Bradfords Infant and Nursery School, Great Bradfords Junior School, Great Leighs Primary School, Hamilton Primary School, Heathlands Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Holy Trinity Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, John Bunyan Infant School and Nursery, John Bunyan Junior School, John Ray Infant School, John Ray Junior School, Montgomery Infant School and Nursery, Notley Green Primary School, Rayne Primary and Nursery School, Richard de Clare Community Primary School, Shalford Primary School, Silver End Primary School, St Francis Catholic Primary School, St John’s Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, St Michael’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Stisted Church of England Primary Academy, Terling Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, The Edith Borthwick School, Wethersfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School, White Court School, White Hall Academy.

Secondary School Partners

Alec Hunter Academy, Belfairs Academy, Brentwood County High School, Chelmer Valley High School, Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Greensward Academy, Hedingham School and Sixth Form, Helena Romanes School and Sixth Form Centre, Hylands School, King Edward VI Grammar School, Mayflower High School, Moulsham High School, Notley High School, Braintree Sixth Form, Plume School, Shenfield High School, Tabor Academy, The Billericay School, The Cornelius Vermuyden School, The Deanes School, The Eastwood Academy, Honywood Community Science School, The King Edmund School, The Ramsey Academy, The Sandon School.