What is SCITT?

Welcome to the North Tyneside Early Years School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programme.

Our highly successful course combines extensive, high-quality classroom experience with expert guidance, and is officially rated as outstanding by Ofsted.

When you train with the North Tyneside SCITT, you'll be part of a small cohort, which means we can give you personalised support tailored to your needs, and really nurture your development.

You're also guaranteed a placement in one or more of our partnership schools in North Tyneside, where you'll get extensive hands-on experience and can train alongside outstanding, inspiring teachers.

And you'll graduate with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) validated by Northumbria University, Qualified Teacher Status, a wealth of experience, up-to-the-minute knowledge and fantastic job prospects.

More than 90 percent of North Tyneside SCITT trainees are recommended for Qualified Teacher Status each year - with the majority going straight into jobs in local schools.

North Tyneside 3-7 SCITT is delighted to continue its close collaboration with the New York Teaching School Alliance.

For 2015-2016 the North Tyneside 3-7 SCITT has a number of additional places via our School Direct alliance. A small number of non-salaried School Direct places are available via New York Primary School UCAS ref no. 1NB.

Successful School Direct applicants will receive school and centre based training through North Tyneside 3-7 SCITT.

• Ideal for trainees who are looking for a more school-based route
• Substantial opportunities to gain high quality experience in early years expertise and practice
• Over 30 partnership schools, all highly committed to your training
• Expert support from locally and nationally recognised early years and education specialists
• Rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted
• Over 90 percent of trainees awarded Qualified Teacher Status each year
• Small cohort size and bespoke support
• Based in a professional and well-resourced training environment
• A high proportion of SCITT graduates secure employment locally.

The programme is structured around four distinct but inter-related modules. The various elements will enable trainees to meet all the standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

The four modules are:

• Reflective Early Years Teacher
• Curriculum Studies
• Critical Curriculum Studies
• Placement: Students will undertake two assessed placements in consortium schools in addition to their ongoing school-based experience.

The programme has no formal examinations. Instead, trainees are assessed by written assignments and practical work in school. The final school placement represents a vital component of this assessment. The standards for Qualified Teacher Status require trainees to be successful in all areas, and from the outset each trainee is involved in auditing their own learning and setting targets for their own professional development.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend an interview day at a SCITT partnership school where candidates will have an opportunity to meet school staff and tutors involved in the North Tyneside SCITT programme.

During the interview process candidates will receive further information about the course. Candidates will also be required to undertake a series of short tasks and a formal interview.

School staff and SCITT tutors are members of the interviewing panels.

Trainees must be prepared to demonstrate their own suitability for an offer of a place.

Interview results are communicated as soon as possible after the interview takes place but any offer of acceptance of a place is conditional upon receipt of a satisfactory medical report and police clearance. It is also a requirement that all candidates have successfully completed the Teaching Agency Professional Skills Tests in Literacy and Numeracy.

The Professional Skills Test must be passed by all candidates before entry to the course. We would strongly encourage applicants to ensure that the Teaching Agency Skills Tests are secured as early as possible during the application process.

Visit education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching for further information.