Primary Teacher Training Courses

A one-year course to gain Qualified Teaching Status (QTS), a PGCE with up to 60 Master’s Credits to train to become an Early Career Teacher.

Course Structure

Throughout all phases of the course, you will have a personalised timetable that allows you to develop and excel in the necessary skills to become a teacher to students of all backgrounds, abilities and dispositions. Trainees’ development is continually supported by the work of experienced teachers, mentors and experts.

We firmly believe that the most effective teachers are reflective teachers. You will reflect on your practice throughout the course with class mentors, classroom teachers and course leaders. In addition, you will complete termly reviews and have termly review meetings to critically analyse your progress and practice and set appropriate targets for your emerging needs. You will collect evidence throughout the year to meet the Barr Beacon SCITT curriculum and present this in the form of a presentation and commentary at the end of the year. You will track your journey through the teacher training year by means of your Trainee Portfolio. You will complete assignments towards your PGCE qualification, which is led by the University of Worcester.

Your journey to becoming a teacher begins with a carefully planned pre-course induction. In May and June 2025 you will be enrolled onto our evening webinars and in July you’ll take part in our full-day pre-course induction. This will introduce you to the course, the SCITT team and your fellow trainee teachers.

You’ll start your training with us in September 2025 and our course is divided into five key phases:

Phase 1

Phase One | September – October

During your initial weeks on the course, you’ll take part in induction days for the SCITT, your main placement school and the PGCE.
You will spend Phase 1 being immersed in all aspects of school life in a detailed, hands-on school induction led by your personal mentor.
You will begin a personalised build-up to 50% of whole-class teaching.
Regular Professional Studies sessions are delivered by expert facilitators and equip you with essential teaching and learning skills.

Phase 2

Phase Two | October – December

At the heart of our SCITT programme is a hands-on experience in schools and classrooms and during this period you will build up to 50% whole class teaching and take part in collaborative teaching experiences.
You receive a bespoke training package, which includes additional support in specialist subjects, promotes access to all aspects of school life.

Phase 3

Phase Three | January – March

You will experience a contrasting school placement.
Our on-going Professional Studies continues your professional development throughout Term 2.
Your teaching timetable will increase to 60% whole class teaching by the end of Phase 3.

Phase 4

Phase Four | April – June

Your teaching timetable increases to 80% whole class teaching by the end of Phase 4.
You will have collected evidence throughout the year to show how you are meeting all of the Teachers’ Standards.
You will have completed your assignments towards your PGCE qualification (delivered in partnership with our HEI provider).
We run a range of sessions that prepare you for the transition to your role as an Early Career Teacher (ECT).

Phase 5

Phase Five | July – ECT

Completion of programme.
QTS recommended.
Employment in Education.
Continued SCITT support for ECTs.
ECT induction programme in a partnership school.

Our Primary Lead Partners

At Barr Beacon SCITT we know what it takes to make a great teacher. Working with our partner schools, we offer a well-established training, mentoring and professional development programme which leads to recommendation for QTS and a PGCE with the opportunity to gain up to 60 masters credits. Our two partner schools are renowned for supporting, developing and challenging all colleagues to grow and flourish using research-informed practice. The primary SCITT partnership thrives on collaboration and partnerships with other schools, curriculum hubs, professional development partners and external experts to bring the very best in teacher education to our area.

We deliver bespoke training and continuing professional development to hundreds of teachers and support staff across the region. This helps us to stay at the cutting edge of education: a number of our staff are experienced facilitators, trained to support other teachers in developing their classroom practice; train future leaders of education, and to provide school to school support.

Ryders Hayes Primary – Walsall Schools Lead Partner

Ryders Hayes School is renowned for supporting, developing and challenging all colleagues to grow and flourish using research-informed practice. The primary partnership consists of a partnership of local good and outstanding schools, which creates a strong and diverse partnership.

Manor Primary School – Wolverhampton Schools Lead Partner

Manor Primary School, is an outstanding school where trainees train to teach in a vibrant, stimulating location where pupils thrive personally, socially and academically and achieve the very highest of standards nationally. Manor hosts the regional Teaching School Hub and this ensures trainee development is in the context of collaboration and partnership with other schools, curriculum hubs, professional development partners and external experts to bring the very best in teacher education to our area.

Our Primary Courses

Primary with early years (3-7)

This course focuses on the 3-7 age range. The course will develop you into a highly effective teacher with a specialism in early years education. This means that you will be equipped with the values, skills, and knowledge to become an inspirational classroom practitioner.

On the course you will learn key pedagogic principles e.g. setting high expectations, assessing learning and meeting the needs of all learners through creating an inclusive classroom. You will receive bespoke training in the Early Years curriculum. You will develop your subject knowledge whilst learning how to plan and teach across all National Curriculum subjects and the Foundation Stage Curriculum (Early Years Programme).

Trainees are allocated a placement school by the Lead Partner within the regional SCITT partnership and we strongly believe in creating a ‘best fit’ between the host school and the trainee, in the belief that they are one of the staff team.

Wolverhampton Campus – Apply Here

Walsall Campus – Apply Here

Primary (5-11)

This course focuses on the 5-11 age range. The course will develop you into a highly effective teacher, who is equipped with the values, skills, and knowledge to teach children across the 5-11 age range with confidence.

On the course you will learn key pedagogic principles e.g. praise and reward, questioning and adapting teaching to meet the needs of all children. You will develop your subject knowledge whilst learning how to plan and teach across all National Curriculum subjects.