TRAIN TO TEACH at the Somerset and DORSET ITE hub – a partnership between THE UNIVERSITY OF EXETER, the Huish academy trust and Fiveways school
We are the Somerset/Dorset Regional Hub for the University of Exeter’s Primary PGCE (5-11) course.
This mainstream primary course offers a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with qualified teacher status (QTS), and teaches the fundamentals underpinning primary teaching and learning along with practical ideas for classroom teaching. Rooted in research evidence, trainees develop a broad subject knowledge whilst exploring how different areas of the curriculum link and how children learn as they develop from age 5 to 11.
The theoretical learning part of the course is held at SPTS and, for most of the year, trainees are placed in schools within a strong partnership of over 250 schools in the south west, including those in Yeovil and the South Somerset area.
During the course, trainees have an opportunity to choose a Primary Leadership Development module. The SEND in Special Schools leadership module is delivered from SPTS and includes some special school experience.
Please click here for more information.
From 2024/2025, The University of Exeter will be delivering their Outstanding Primary 5-11 course at different locations in partnership with Lead Partner schools.
The course at the Somerset and Dorset ITE Hub will have the same curriculum as the course ran at the St Luke’s Campus in Exeter and is co-designed and delivered by the University and Lead Partners. The Lead Partners for the Somerset and Dorset ITE Hub are the Huish Academy Trust and Fiveways School.
The autumn term taught course will be delivered at Fiveways Training Centre, Yeovil with a blend of online lectures, face-to-face seminars, peer learning and directed tasks.
Further details about the course and structure can be found here:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/teachertraining/primarypgce/
Trainees are registered with the University and are eligible for training bursaries and student loans.
SCHOOL PLACEMENTS
During the year, all trainees spend time in two placement schools. Most trainees request to be placed in the same area as their ITE Hub but can request to be placed anywhere in the University of Exeter partnership area and can also apply for school 2 projects including placements in London.
Further details about placements can be found here:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/teachertraining/placements/
The Exeter model of ITE
We are proud to be the Lead Partner for the University of Exeter and believe in the quality of training offered through The Exeter Model of ITE. More information can be found here:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/teachertraining/deliveringexcellenttraining/
You will be assigned a Mentor who is a teacher within your placement school who will help guide your practice and help develop you into a confident practitioner.
Your teaching practice will be a combination of observation, co-teaching, small group work and whole class teaching. Over time and as you develop your skills, you will increase your teaching time to gain more experience, while being supported by your mentoring team. You will also have a University Lead Mentor who works closely with the Lead Partners. They will support your development, support the school and visit you whilst on placement.
Primary Leadership Development module
Our Primary (5-11) programmes cover all curriculum areas but also enables you to select a particular curriculum area to focus on during the year to support your development as a future curriculum leader. You will attend 7 sessions across the autumn term and curriculum areas vary year-on-year depending on demand, but are likely to include Art, English, Humanities, Maths, Modern Languages, Science, Inclusion – EAL, Inclusion – SEND and Inclusion - SEND in special schools.
Please note, for those training at the Primary (5-11) Somerset and Dorset ITE Hub, the Leadership Development Module offered at your hub location will be Inclusion – SEND in special schools (this includes experience in a special school). However, a wider choice of modules will run at the Exeter St Luke’s ITE Hub and will also be available to you to choose.
PGCE Primary (3-7)
If you would prefer to specialise in Primary 3-7, this course is not available at the Somerset and Dorset ITE Hub. The taught course is available at the St Luke’s Campus in Exeter and placements can be requested in Somerset and Dorset.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Further information about the application process, including entry requirements, can be found here:
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/teachertraining/howtoapply/
University of Exeter Open Days
Information about any Open Days can be found here and we would encourage you to attend to find out more about the course and course options:
