FAQs
What is the difference between PGCE and QTS?
A PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) is an academic qualification, while QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) is the certification required to teach in many schools. With Mid Essex ITT you will receive both.
What is School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)?
SCITT is a school-led training programme, offering hands-on experience with the aim of gaining QTS.
What is the difference between university-led and school-led training?
University-led courses focus on theoretical learning alongside school placements, while school-led routes emphasize practical, on-the-job training.
What qualifications do I need to apply for teacher training?
You will need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade requirement of 2:2 or above (or overseas quivalent). You must also have GCSEs in English and Maths (or overseas equiavalents).
Do I need teaching experience before applying?
Prior experience in a school is not required. However, we recommend spending time in a school to help you decide that teacher training is right for you. It will give you the opportunity to watch some lessons and will also provide you with some examples to talk about at interview. The School Experience Programme (SEP) is run by the Department of Education and offers places to those wishing to commence initial teacher training (ITT) in a secondary school subject. Click here to register for the School Experience Programme.
Can I train to teach both primary and secondary with Mid Essex ITT?
We only offer training in secondary education. However, your QTS from us will also qualify you to teach at primary level
When is the deadline to apply with Mid Essex ITT?
Applications are open every year from mid-October and the deadline to apply is 30th June. This is to ensure that we have time to interview you and process a DBS check for you before our offices (and all our schools) close for the Summer. However, we do strongly recommend that candidates apply as early as they possibly can to ensure that we can secure a school placement for them. Popular subjects fill up early!
Do you sponsor visas?
No, unfortunately we do not sponsor visas. When you search for teacher training courses you can filter results to show only those providers which do.
What should I include in my personal statement?
Highlight your motivation, relevant skills, experience, and why you want to become a teacher. Demonstrate your understanding of the challenges and rewards of the role. Please ensure that your personal statement is all your own work.
Do I need to pass any tests as part of the application?
You will need to have English and Maths GCSEs and a degree to be eligible to apply. You will then also need to demonstrate literacy and numeracy competency by the time you cpomplete your training. These tests are usually carried out in the Summer term before your teacher training starts to get them out of the way and determine early whether support is required here.
When does the course start?
Our next cohort of full-time trainees will start in school around 1st September - depending on individual schools' term dates - and will finish at the end of the following June. All trainees will be asked to attend two days of induction training in the July before starting on the course. Unfortunately, we do not have start dates at other points in the year as our teacher training follows the academic year: September to July.
What do I do if I’m missing one of the requirements?
Don’t worry, there are several ways we can help you….
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Replacement Certificates
If you are offered a place to train, we will need to see your GCSE certtificates before you can start the course. There is some helpful advice about applying for replacements here: www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate
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International Qualifications
If you have an international qualification, you can obtain a Statement of Comparability from UK ENIC, the National Recognition Information Centre, which is managed by www.ecctis.com
UK ENIC can be accessed directly here: www.enic.org.uk
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Equivalency Testing
If you do not have GCSE Maths and English in Grade 4 (formerly grade C) or above, you can take an equivalency test instead. We can recommend the following organisations: www.equivalencytesting.com and www.astarequivelency.co.uk.
In place of a GCSE in English, Mid Essex ITT will also accept an IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System, Academic Test) with an overall score of 6.5. IELTS Academic is an internationally-recognised system for demonstrating fluency in English (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
Unfortunately, we are not able to accept Key or Functional Skills (Level 2) certificates in place of a GCSE
How much time will I spend in schools during training?
Our programme includes at least two school placements. Full-time trainees will be in school four days a week and will spend one day a week completing central training. Core training is held on Thursday mornings at Notley High School. On Thursday afternoons you will travel to the school of your Lead Subject Tutor for subject training.
Your first term will be in your main 'A' placement school. Your second term will be at your 'B' placement school. For your third term you will return to your 'A' placement school.
Will I be guaranteed a job after completing my training?
Not guaranteed, but our track record is excellent and many trainees secure positions at their placement schools or within the same network. In the past ten years, 95% or more of our trainees were successful in gaining employment every year.
Can I choose where I do my placements?
You can express preferences, but placement locations are assigned based on mentoring capacity in the school departments.
What qualification will I get at the end of the course?
If you successfully complete the course, you will be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Fee-paying trainees also work towards a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education. This is accredited by Anglia Ruskin University.
How does the part-time/flexible course work?
Our flexible part-time courses are available in all subjects and are designed to fit around you, whilst also meeting the needs of our schools. You will work between 2-3 days per week in school (organised to suit you and your other commitments) and you will need to attend the weekly Thursday core and subject training sessions too. By choosing this route, you will receive QTS and a PGCE after completing your second year. Tuition fees will be £6,000 per year and you will still be eligible for the bursaries and scholarships on offer to full-time trainees. If you are interested in finding out more, please email the office at
Read more about the part-time course here.
Can I train as a career-changer?
Yes! We recognise that career changers bring a unique set of skills and a wealth of professional experience to teaching and welcome applications from candidates who are thinking about a change. Our course attracts a number of career changers each year and we have successfully trained teachers who have previously worked in a wide-range of other sectors including finance, the NHS, the police and the arts. We actively work with Now Teach, a charity that supports career changers and connects them with a strong professional network.
Where can I get information about training to teach in England if I am a non-UK citizen?
Click on this link to get further information about this: www.gov.uk
How do I go about looking for a job as a teacher in Essex?
If you are looking for a teaching position in the local area, Essex County Council have a fantastic Schools Jobs website you can visit. You can also search for jobs as a TA, LSA, Learning Mentor or support staff roles.
What if I need further information or would like to make an appeal or a complaint?
Mid Essex ITT holds a number of different policies in its Partnership Agreement, which is signed by the Headteachers all of its partnership schools. You can find our policies on our website here.
If you would like to receive a copy of any of the policies, please email
Complaints can also be made to the following organisations: Bridge Academy Trust and the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education