School-Centred Initial Teacher Training Programme (SCITT)

Degree

2:2 or above, or equivalent

All candidates must hold either a degree or A Level (B or above), BTEC (Distinction) or IB Grade (5+) in the subject they wish to teach.

On a case-by-case basis, we will take into account significant relevant experience in your subject area if you do not meet this requirement, but it is rare for us to place a trainee out of specialism.

All applications are evaluated individually and on merit.

Please note:

• International candidates holding equivalent qualifications must submit an ENIC Statement of Comparability at the point of application.

You’ll spend most of your training year in one school, where you’ll be based, teach, and build relationships. You’ll also complete a three-week placement in a contrasting school, giving you valuable experience of different approaches and settings, and attend training online on Friday afternoons, with some in-person sessions at a United Teaching Regional Training Centre.

With more than 110 schools across England, we can place trainees in a location that suits them. We place trainees directly into United Learning primary and secondary schools, as well as a wide network of partner academies and independent schools, so you never need to find your own placement.

When you apply, you can tell us your preferred school. We’ll then look for the best match based on your subject, school environment, and where you're most likely to thrive, aiming to place you within around an hour's commute so your training feels realistic and manageable.

Trainees have a half day of theoretical training each week, with Friday afternoon sessions focused on developing knowledge, skills and understanding across curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, behaviour and professional behaviours.

If you are completing a PGCE, your university tutorials will also take place online and are built into the Friday sessions.

Your training covers five key areas:

• behaviour
• pedagogy
• curriculum
• assessment
• professional practice

If you are doing the PGCE, you will also complete two written assignments that link directly to your classroom work.

Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to develop your teaching style, strengthen your classroom presence, and focus on how best to support your pupils’ progress.

You will get feedback every week and set clear targets to keep you moving forward. There are also fixed review points across the year.

Your final assessment, in May to July, includes a joint lesson observation, a progress discussion, and a review of your portfolio of evidence.

The majority of our shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview, but you may be invited to an in-person interview for more competitive placements. All interviews are held with a two or three member panel of the United Teaching team.

We provide guidance and interview support ahead of interviews, so all candidates will know what to expect and how to best prepare.

Your interview will be in three parts:

• A formal interview exploring your potential to train to teach
• A 10 minute lesson activity you will prepare and deliver during your interview
• An offline written task to evaluate your written accuracy and clarity

You will receive feedback on your lesson so you may experience the style of feedback trainees receive whilst on the course.

For competitive placements or practical subjects, like PE, we may extend a second round interview in a school setting.

Successful candidates’ offers are conditional on the following criteria:

• Successfully obtaining your projected degree qualification (if you are still at university)
• Verification of all documentation and academic qualifications
• Passing clear identity and DBS checks
• Passing any needed equivalencies or SKEs by 1st September 2026

From your very first day, you are welcomed as part of the staff team. You will teach lessons, support classes, and get involved in school life, from duties to extracurricular activities. Weekly mentoring helps you build confidence step by step.

Over the year, you will also complete focused Intensive Training and Practice activities (ITAP), designed to sharpen specific classroom skills.

Your three-week placement in another school will broaden your perspective and prepare you to teach in a variety of contexts.

You will have two mentors in your school:

• A professional mentor who oversees your progress
• A subject mentor who meets you weekly and observes your lessons

And you will have an additional mentor from United Teaching:

• A lead mentor from United Teaching who checks in regularly and ensures your training stays on track

If you are on the PGCE route, you will also have a university tutor to support you.