Train to be a Teacher with us in Nottingham

“Training to be a teacher through L.E.A.D. Equate was the best decision I ever made because from day one I was truly valued as part of the staff team. I felt entirely supported by my school based mentor, the University and L.E.A.D. Equate and fully prepared as an early careers teacher.”

Sarah Lees Huntingdon Academy

L.E.A.D. Equate works with The University of Nottingham to provide a dynamic and supportive environment in which to learn to teach. We offer a high quality school based training programme tailored to your needs. Trainees benefit from working closely alongside experienced and committed staff who are eager to share their skills, experience and practice with the next generation of teachers. Our Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses are designed to enable you to become an accomplished, passionate and inspirational teacher, who can make a real difference to the lives of children. Both our primary and secondary programmes will not only equip you with the skills you need to become an effective educator, but will also enable you to develop your own theories of learning and models of good practice.

The University of Nottingham has been involved in teacher education for over 120 years, our postgraduate Initial Teacher Education provision is one of the largest in the country. University tutors working with our trainees were successful and innovative teachers in schools and are now experienced teacher educators, committed to developing the next generation of teachers. We have a strong emphasis on emotional wellbeing, supporting our beginning teachers to develop their own identities, take ownership of their own professional development and embed work ethics that enable them to thrive and enjoy teaching as a profession.

It is important that you choose the right course to suit you and your circumstances and understand the differences between them.

All of our teacher training courses are underpinned by our partnership’s aims and ethos. We are constantly seeking to develop our provision and establish innovative and creative approaches to teacher education that impact on our beginning teachers and our partnership schools. The needs of our beginning teachers are at the heart of everything we do and we provide highly personalised support and challenge throughout the training year.

Whether you choose PGCE or PGCE School Direct, you will receive the same:

university-based theory
academic support
enrichment activities
PGCE qualification with Qualified Teacher Status
60 masters-level credits which you can use towards a masters qualification

Why L.E.A.D. Equate?

Everything we do in our schools is about giving children a high quality education. We celebrate the fact that all children are unique and we have high aspirations for all their futures. At L.E.A.D. Equate we are committed to high quality training that impacts on the learning experiences of every child’s education.

We work closely with the University of Nottingham to design and develop an innovative Initial Teacher Training programme linked with our specialism of high quality teaching in a variety of educational settings. All trainee teachers within our alliance meet half termly to engage with our enhanced and enriched curriculum. This is delivered by outstanding practitioners from our schools. This is an opportunity for you to consider your development as a teacher and reflect upon practice within different settings. Past trainees have found these sessions invaluable and a majority of trainees have gone on to secure successful teaching positions within one of our 25 Trust based schools.

As a trainee teacher with L.E.A.D. Equate, you will learn from the best teachers, supported by a culture of coaching and mentoring. All trainee teachers observe outstanding teaching and get to work alongside the best teachers in an apprenticeship role.

The Primary programme offers:

University induction in late August, before beginning first school placement in your Alliance school
University-based days spread across the year where you are part of a vibrant cohort of beginning teachers, reflecting on and developing practice
Second school placement in the spring term

The Application Process in Nottingham

Apply through UCAS Teacher Training using the ‘Apply’ system, found on their website at

https://www.ucas.com/postgraduate/teacher-training/how-apply
• Input LEAD Equate TSA – Alliance/Provider/Train code 1DK
• Input course code 26KS (primary) OR 3F35 (primary with mathematics*)

Please click the image below to open a PDF version of ITT for 2021/22

Qualifications

All applicants are required on entry to the course to hold a UK degree or equivalent qualification.

In additional to a degree you will need have passed GCSE English Language, mathematics and science at grade C (grade 4) or above, or equivalent.

Personal qualities

A passion for and dedication to teaching and the importance of education
The ability to develop positive relationships with students
A patient, caring, and kind disposition
Ability to develop a knowledge of all learners
Ability to engaging all pupils in learning
Resilience and optimism

Other requirements

All trainee teachers who enter the training programme will be expected to demonstrate that they are competent in Fundamental English and mathematics.

Admission to the course is subject to a satisfactory medical report, as you are required to meet the standards for ‘Fitness to Teach’. It is important that you disclose any medical condition or disability so that we can look at the best way of supporting you if you are offered a place on the course.

You will be subject to safeguarding checks which includes an enhanced DBS check.

Extra requirement for Mathematics Specialist Route

A level Mathematics at Grade C or above.

Why School Direct?

Your home school, L.E.A.D Equate Teaching School Alliance and the University of Nottingham work closely together to ensure that your progress on the course is closely supported and quality assured.

University days are spread throughout the year. These days are an opportunity to work with primary and secondary trainees and the sessions will form an integral part of the work you do in school. You will be part of a large cohort of beginning teachers exploring the school curriculum and how to make it accessible and enjoyable to all pupils.

You will have a mentor assigned by the school. You will also be allocated a university tutor who will work closely with you and your mentor. From the beginning of the course, which starts at the end of August, you will be regarded as a member of staff but also as a beginning teacher. You will attend development days, consultation sessions and extra-curricular activities.

In the second term you will undertake a placement in a second school. This is an opportunity to learn within a different context and share your experiences with other trainees. The practical experience is underpinned by theoretical approaches that are discussed and explored during University based sessions. There is a focus on both ‘Schools and Society’ and ‘Teaching and Learning’ and your assignments will ensure that these aspects are closely considered in relation to your teaching in school.

The School Direct PGCE course is assessed at postgraduate certificate level. It incorporates two 30-credit modules which may be counted towards the MA in Education. For the award of the PGCE and to achieve QTS, you must have reached the required standard in both the theoretical and practical elements of the course. There are no written examinations. Practical Teaching is assessed by the University tutors, school based mentors and coordinators, and External Examiners. Account is taken of your work over all school based elements of the course and your own written records of such work.

The University does not allow an automatic right to re-sit practical teaching if you fail this part of the course. If the right to re-sit is granted then the opportunity is dependent upon locating a partner school which agrees to place you.

On the course, you are required to submit various pieces of work related to your course. The assignments may be written pieces or presentations and may include collaborative work.

School Direct Primary with Maths

This route is ideal if you want to have an extra, mathematics focused, dimension to your training year. This may give you an enhanced profile for employment and promotion.

L.E.A.D Equate Teaching School Alliance and the University of Nottingham work closely together to ensure that your progress on the course is closely supported and quality assured.

University days are spread throughout the year. You will work with other primary trainees and the sessions will form an integral part of the work you do in school. You will be part of a large cohort of beginning teachers exploring the school curriculum and how to make it accessible and enjoyable to all pupils.

You will have a school mentor and a university tutor who will work closely with you and your mentor. From the beginning of the course you will be regarded as a member of staff but also a beginning teacher. You will attend development days, consultation sessions and extra-curricular activities.

In the second term you will undertake a placement in a second school. This is an opportunity to learn within a different context and share your experiences with other trainees.

Key features of the mathematics specialist route include:

Exploration of your personal mathematics background, the aims and values of mathematics education and the importance of being a champion and advocate for mathematics
Two half-day sessions, focusing on your role as a mathematics specialist and the leadership and management of mathematics in primary schools
A twilight session once per term, that focuses on teaching challenging mathematics topics
An immersion day once per term, in which you will take part in a lesson study at a partnership school

The opportunity to:

Teach mathematics to more than one age range
See mathematics teaching at Key Stage 3 and in the Early Years, in order to understand the progression of the subject

The course is assessed at postgraduate level. It incorporates two 30-credit modules which may be counted towards the MA in Education. Assignments may be written pieces or presentations and may include collaborative work.

Practical Teaching is assessed by a range of colleagues. Account is taken of your work over all school based elements of the course and your written records of such work.

For the award of the PGCE and to achieve QTS, you must have reached the required standard in both elements of the course.

How school placements work

Placements will be based in one of our L.E.A.D. Academy Trust schools. When you visit a L.E.A.D. school you will notice these core characteristics:

the highest standards of behaviour and conduct;
outstanding teaching and learning;
a fully inclusive approach where all children are equally important;
a climate of mutual respect between the children, staff and community;
positive relationships;
high aspirations for all involved with the school – a ‘can do’ attitude;
a wide range of enrichment opportunities for all to get involved;
a celebration of all the cultures and faiths represented in the school;
an organisation where there are no excuses for underachievement.

To find out more about L.E.A.D. schools please visit our website

To learn more about what L.E.A.D. Equate can offer whilst you are training, please visit our ITT overview pages

Interview process

When you come for a School Direct interview, there are likely to be other applicants being interviewed alongside you. The criteria we will use at interview to decide whether or not we offer you a place on the course are:

an awareness of current educational issues;
a realistic and positive view of schools and schooling;
an open and enquiring mind;
clear reasons for wanting to teach at the level for which you have applied;
motivation and commitment to teaching pupils of all levels of ability;
maturity and self confidence;
an appropriate level of subject knowledge in your chosen subject for secondary applicants.

You will be interviewed by staff from L.E.A.D. Equate and Nottingham University. You may be asked to carry out certain tasks that allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills, individually or in groups.

We then interview you in school. This will include:

Working with a group in class alongside class teacher
Q&A Interview

We will inform you of our decision asap after your interview. If you are given a conditional offer of a place on the School Direct course, you will receive a pack of information describing the steps you should take next. The conditional offer will become unconditional when we have received your acceptance and all the necessary clearances and documentation.

At L.E.A.D Equate we supplement the training provided by The University of Nottingham with further training from specialists within L.E.A.D. Academy Trust. Please see the full range of Training available for 2021/22. Our training programme is reviewed regularly following feedback from trainees and current changes and developments in education.

This programme is a requirement for any L.E.A.D. Equate trainees who are on Schools Direct or PGCE with The University of Nottingham. It is an expectation that schools release their trainee and their mentor to attend the required sessions. Mentors are expected to attend the twilight mentor training at The University of Nottingham.

Train to Teach in Nottingham