With School Direct we can drive pupil improvement in your school. Initial teacher training is changing, and the introduction of the School Direct programme gives schools an even more important role in creating tomorrow’s teachers.

What is School Direct?

At Sheffield Hallam we have always worked closely with schools to recruit and train graduates wanting to start a teaching career. Now, through School Direct, primary and secondary schools will play a leading role, developing staff specific to their needs.

How does it work?

A prospective trainee applies directly to a school or group of schools through the National College for Teaching and Leadership (formerly the Teaching Agency). The school then collaborates with a university to train, educate and eventually employ them.

Trainees can apply through two routes

• salaried – the lead school receives a subsidy from the National College for Teaching and Leadership to assist with the cost of the course fees and the salary
• unsalaried – eligible trainees take out a student loan to cover the cost of any university and school fees

The lead school is responsible for arranging two complementary placements, one of which can be in the host school.

At the end of the course, the trainee achieves QTS and a postgraduate award from Sheffield Hallam, which equates to 60 credits – a third of a masters qualification. It is expected that they are then employed by the school (or another member of the same cluster of schools, depending on need).

What will Sheffield Hallam bring to the partnership?

We will use our experience and expertise as one of the biggest teacher education departments in the country to help you provide excellent in-house teacher training and education.

We will work in close partnership with your school to support you throughout the process, from help finding the very best candidates to building in time for the deep reflection that makes more effective teachers.

We will also provide marketing support, events and advice to help recruit students.

What are the benefits to my school?

The surest way to improve a school is through excellent teachers. A School Direct programme with Sheffield Hallam will provide you with a high-quality NQT working in your school from day one.

If you take on a School Direct trainee it means you have another adult in your classroom supporting your teacher and helping to provide excellent teaching. And by embedding their training in your school, you will benefit from a new teacher who is already attuned to your school’s culture, requirements and challenges.

School Direct is a real opportunity to develop a team of staff to suit your school’s needs.

Why choose Sheffield Hallam?

We know what it takes to make great teachers. We have been doing it since 1905, and we train over 700 new teachers a year. Recent Ofsted reports have reinforced our excellent reputation.

‘Sheffield Hallam is exceptionally forward-looking, eager to engage with change in a dynamic and responsive way in order to meet the developing needs of trainees and partnership schools.’
Ofsted, March 2012

Our graduates are extremely successful in gaining teaching posts. In 2012, 96% of our graduates were in teaching positions or further education within six months. As the lead provider of the Teach First programme in the Yorkshire and Humber area and an integral part of the School Direct initiative, we are the natural choice of partner for your school.