We are Northern Education Trust, and we are proud to partner with Teach First, a nationally recognised, DfE-accredited initial teacher training provider. Whether you have recently graduated from university or are looking for a change in career, we are passionate about developing and supporting you to be the best teacher you can be.
Northern Education Trust is a highly successful, large multi-academy trust based in the North of England. We are passionately committed to transforming the life chances of children and young people in the communities we serve. We are proud to operate 30 academies, 13 primary and 17 secondary, all of which are united by the shared vision of being ‘outcomes focused, child centred’. We believe every child deserves the very best education, and that begins in the classroom with exceptional teachers. We are committed to our trust values of integrity, respect, excellence, positivity, and innovation.
Our one-year training programme allows you to make a real difference to the children in your community. You will benefit from training that is developed by our training partner, Teach First and delivered by Northern Education Trust’s expert facilitators, who know and understand our communities’ needs. Teach First is a charity that believes education is the most powerful tool to help a child fulfil their potential. They have been training teachers for over 20 years and are the largest initial teacher training provider in the country. Their initial teacher training is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Where will you train?
You will spend a minimum of 24 weeks at a school placement in your chosen region. This time is spread across at least 2 schools. You will also complete weekly core training to help you become an expert practitioner of your phase or subject specialism.
Your journey to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) starts in a Northern Education Trust (NET) academy. We carefully consider your location, ensuring the placement is a great fit. You will be supported every step by highly experienced, fully trained mentors. NET has over two decades of experience delivering initial teacher training.
On our programme, you will train in an academy, following the academic calendar, for the year. You will spend four days per week in lessons, with one day per week reserved for theoretical training. At the start of term two, you will complete six weeks in another setting, broadening your experience.
Theoretical training develops subject knowledge, effective teaching methods and how to manage workload and wellbeing: Training combines online and face-to-face elements. It ensures you have the skills to gain QTS and PGCE. Face-to-face training is at North Shore Academy, Stockton. You are not required to attend university in person.
At the start of the programme in September, you will have two weeks of intensive training with a further two weeks delivered later in the course. You will spend the equivalent of one day per week in theoretical training and attend regular online PGCE learning sessions during the year-long course.
What will you do during school placements?
In your placement academy, you will learn from experienced teachers by observing lessons and developing planning skills. Over the year, you will gradually increase your own teaching practice at a pace that supports your progress.
You will be immersed in a vibrant academy community, gaining valuable insight to the realities of working in a modern education setting. You will develop in the classroom, at training sessions and through wider involvement in school events.
You will gain a deep and thorough knowledge of the subject/phase you are training to teach and will experience, firsthand, high-quality teaching in the classroom, from the very best teachers in the profession.
You will work with our subject/phase leads, who are experts in their field; their input to your training will enable you to grow during the year and become a highly proficient classroom practitioner by the end of the course.
What will you study?
Rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and grounded in research, our course equips you with the knowledge and skills to succeed across five key areas in teaching:
Before entering the classroom, you will complete two weeks of intensive training focused on key skills such as behaviour management and planning, followed later in the year by another two weeks targeting key areas to strengthen your practice.
During your placement, you will attend weekly training sessions, carefully sequenced to match the demands of the academic year. Alongside this, you will complete half-termly modules, each delivered through live seminars and a full-day conference plus a professional development module. These combine core curriculum training with subject or phase-specific content, ensuring your learning is directly relevant and practical.
Throughout your training you will demonstrate your teaching skills to fulfil the Teachers’ Standards through interactions with your mentor, classroom practice and online learning. On completion you will be recommended for QTS by Teach First. You will also complete modules to gain your PGCE with our university partner.
Fees and financial support
The course fees for 2026 to 2027 are as follows:
Although there are no other training fees, you are expected to be able to cover your travel costs to placement schools and general living costs. Please note that all of our academies require staff members to wear business dress as standard, you will also be required to meet this expectation.
Recruitment opens on 7th October 2025 for programmes commencing in September 2026.
For further information about the Teach First SCITT and how to apply, please visit https://www.teachfirst.org.uk/school-centred-initial-teacher-training or contact Northern Education Trust Staff College by emailing [email protected] or by calling us on 0191 406 6383.