About this course - School Direct (salaried) is an employment-based route for high quality graduates, typically with at least three years’ experience of transferable work history. You’ll earn a salary while you train towards your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and won’t need to pay any tuition fees. Kent Oaks Consortium is a group of schools that work with the University of Sussex. Students who opt for a School Direct (salaried) training programme are employed as an unqualified teacher while they learn on the job. In some cases, this may be a school the student is already working at or has an existing relationship with. As a salaried trainee, you will receive the a high-quality level of subject specific training and support from the University of Sussex in addition to the many benefits of undertaking a school–based model of training with our strong partnership of schools. University of Sussex tutors work with us to provide high quality inputs on how to teach and assess your chosen secondary subject. The University also provides a comprehensive programme of Professional Studies which complements the school-based training offered across our partnership. If your degree subject doesn’t link closely to your chosen teaching subject, you may still be able to apply for a School Direct (salaried) programme by undertaking a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course. Your chosen provider may ask you to take an SKE course as a condition of your offer, before you start your initial teacher training programme. Kent Oaks Consortium and the University of Sussex do not offer Visa Sponsorship for this course so applicants must have the Right to Work/Study in the UK confirmed prior to applying. http://www.sussex.ac.uk/education/ite/pgceandschooldirectsecondary/dt

How placements work - Applicants will receive • On the job learning: You will spend most of the year in the school in which you are employed. We will then arrange for you to undertake a shorter ‘second’ placement in another school during January and February. • Off-the-job-learning: You’ll spend Monday-Thursday in school with training and reflection at the University on Fridays. This ensures a weekly focus on theory and pedagogy linking with practice and an important opportunity to be supported by your university tutor and peers in your subject cohort. Studying alongside PGCE trainees, off-the-job learning involves a stimulating mix of lectures, workshops, tutorials and school visits led by University of Sussex education faculty, teachers from partnership schools and other educational experts. Learning for all apprentices in early September is front-loaded with full-time, three-week attendance on campus plus online learning which prepares applicants for the classroom. Thereafter full-time applicants spend Mondays to Thursdays in school, attending the University Campus on Fridays for lectures, workshops and seminars with our team of experienced teacher educators. A university subject/phase specialist tutor will be assigned to support you whilst on the programme and you will be eligible to access a wide range of support services provided by the University. https://www.sussex.ac.uk/schools/education-and-social-work/study/education/teacher-training

Interview process - Once entry requirements have been met you will be invited to a Sussex University interview, either face to face or online via Zoom. Prior to interview you will • Listen to a video talk giving further information about the Sussex course • Complete paperwork including our ‘Suitability for Teaching Declaration’. These will be sent to you by email in your invitation to interview • Have an individual online interview, via Zoom or face to face with a Sussex tutor. • Deliver a short pre-prepared classroom type teaching task or presentation to the panel. You will receive details of the task in your invitation to interview. • Show the interview panel a form of photo ID on camera or in person for checking • Ask the panel questions about your course. If, after the University interview, they feel you are suitable to continue with the application process, your selected school will offer you an interview. You will be expected to: • Give a lesson for 30 minutes - topic will be provided to you in advance of the interview to give you time to prepare. • Complete a written Task • Presentation to a Formal Interview panel - topic will be provided to you in advance of the interview to give you time to prepared, followed by the Formal Interview. If both the University of Sussex and your selected school agree, you will then be offered a School Direct Salaried position.

Course length - 1 year FT, 2 Year PT

Salary - Paid by the school on the Unqualified Teachers Scale which at present is approximately £23,140

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-initial-teacher-training-itt/funding-initial-teacher-training-itt-academic-year-2025-to-2026

Kent Oaks Consortium and the University of Sussex do not offer Visa Sponsorship for this course so applicants must have the Right to Work/Study in the UK confirmed prior to applying.

Requirements and eligibility

Degree - 2:2 or above, or equivalent

A strong knowledge and understanding of Chemistry, and a sound awareness of how the subject is currently taught within Secondary state schools; An degree in Chemistry. Other related degrees and professional experience may be considered if a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course is undertaken before starting the teacher training course. Your qualification must be from an approved Higher Education institution or validating body; International requirements - Advanced level (7.0 overall, including at least 6.5 in each component). Check your IELTS qualifications meets all of our language requirements

GCSEs - Grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths, or equivalent qualification

Candidates with pending GCSEs will be considered Equivalency tests will be accepted in English or maths.

You must provide evidence of these qualifications or pending exams, at interview. You must have the ‘Right to Work in the UK’ confirmed prior to applying.

You must have the ‘Right to Work in the UK’ confirmed prior to applying.

Neither Kent Oaks Consortium and the University of Sussex offer Visa Sponsorship for this training route.

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