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School Direct 2019-2020 V1.3 Sep 2018
School Direct
2019-2020 V1.3 Sep 2018
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Table of Contents
Get into Teaching .............................................................................................................. 4
Great reasons to train with us .......................................................................................... 4
Working across the wider Devon area ............................................................................................. 5
Our primary courses.......................................................................................................... 6
Okehampton Primary School – Lead School ................................................................................... 6
New from September 2019 – Marine Academy Primary – Plymouth Hub ........................................ 6
Participating Primary Schools in the Dartmoor TSA ........................................................................ 7
Our secondary courses ..................................................................................................... 9
Participating secondary schools in the Dartmoor TSA ................................................................... 10
Unique elements of training with us .............................................................................. 10
Entry requirements .......................................................................................................... 11
Fees and Finance ............................................................................................................. 12
Tuition Fees .................................................................................................................................. 12
Government Loans for Teacher Training Courses......................................................................... 12
Bursaries and funding ................................................................................................................... 12
Meet some of our new trainees ...................................................................................... 13
Bryony (Primary Trainee – September 2018) ................................................................................ 13
Martyn (Secondary Maths Trainee – September 2018) ................................................................. 13
Maria (Secondary MFL Trainee – September 2018) ..................................................................... 13
Want to find our more? ................................................................................................... 13
Contact us..................................................................................................................................... 13
Version 1.3 (Sep 2018)
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Get into Teaching
Dartmoor Teaching School Alliance is an alliance of primary and secondary schools in the wider
Devon area. If you are thinking about training to teach, we think we can offer you a superb range of
inspiring courses. Whether you are a new graduate or you are considering a career change, our
teacher training will equip you with the skills to be an outstanding teacher. Dartmoor Teaching
School Alliance is led by Okehampton College, rated Outstanding by Ofsted. We work in
partnership with the University of Exeter, itself rated as Outstanding as a Teacher Training
provider. Together we provide first class school-based training and rigorous academic learning.
Great reasons to train with us
An outstanding partnership: Okehampton College and the University of Exeter offer
trainees first class school placements and academic teaching.
Train close to home: With 80 schools in our Alliance from the greater Devon area, we offer
trainees greater control over where they complete their training.
Matching trainees to placement schools: every effort is made to carefully match our
trainees to the placement schools that will best develop their skills as a teacher
Support into employment and beyond: We recruit trainees with the view to support them,
through workshops and mock interviews, to secure their first post. Trainees that go onto
teach in local schools are supported through our wide range of NQT and other professional
development programmes.
Values-centred training: we are passionately committed to the values of co-operative
schools that put people at the centre of everything we do. We are proud to offer a personal
approach in everything we do and to afford people time, support and encouragement they
deserve.
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Working across the wider Devon area Dartmoor TSA is one of the largest Teaching School Alliances in the South West with over 80
member schools. The map below shows our member schools (Purple are secondary and blue
primary school partners).
Our relationship with these schools extends beyond teacher training: it covers professional
development, school improvement and subject networking. As a consequence, we have formed
close working ties with schools – from heads to classroom teachers – which strengthens our team
approach to delivering the School Direct programme.
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Our primary courses
Okehampton Primary School – Lead School We offer two primary courses for 2019-2020:
School Direct for General Primary PGCE with QTS (Unlimited)
Salaried School Direct for General Primary PGCE with QTS (3 places)
Both our General Primary courses are delivered at Okehampton Primary School by outstanding
primary teachers and specialists from within the Alliance. Trainees will spend one day a week at
Okehampton Primary, taking part in training workshops which model the principles of effective
teaching. Three days a week will be spent in your placement school, where you will be supported
by a mentor and gain first-hand experience of teaching. A fifth day will be allocated to completion
of the PGCE element of the course, which is delivered by the University of Exeter through their
Distance Learning programme.
We can offer placements in a wide range of schools. Please note that the Salaried Course is
offered exclusively at Okehampton Primary School. To find out more please contact Sally Huxen at
Okehampton Primary School on 01837 52866.
New from September 2019 – Marine Academy Primary – Plymouth Hub We are pleased to announce that from September 2019 we will be delivering our successful
School Direct for General Primary PGCE with QTS through a new Plymouth Hub at Marine
Academy Primary. This will build on the successful Okehampton Primary School model and
combine elements of exemplary practice that earned Marine Academy Primary’s Outstanding
status in 2015.
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Participating Primary Schools in the Dartmoor TSA
Please note that some of our members work in ITE partnerships with other School Direct providers
and therefore may not be in a position to offer Dartmoor TSA trainees placements.
Black Torrington Church Of England Primary School
Bradford Primary School
Bridgerule Church Of England Primary School
Buckland Brewer Primary School, Bideford
Appledore Primary School
Bassetts Farm Primary School, Exmouth
Boasley Cross Community Primary School
Bow Community Primary School
Brampford Speke CoE Primary School | Exe Valley Federation
Brayford Academy, nr Barnstable | TEAM MAT
Bridestowe Community Primary School
Chagford C of E Primary School
Cheriton Bishop Community Primary School | Woodleigh Federation
Cheriton Fitzpaine Primary and Pre-School | Exe Valley Federation
Cranbrook Education Campus | Primary
Ernesettle Primary School, Plymouth
Exbourne C of E Primary School
Exeter Road Community Primary School, Exmouth
Exwick Heights Primary School | Ted Wragg MAT
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Hartland Primary School
Hayward's Primary School, Crediton
Heathcote Primary School, Tiverton
High Bickington CoE Primary School, Umberleigh
Highampton Community Primary School | Dartmoor Federation
Holsworthy CE Primary School
Instow Community Primary School
Kings Nympton Primary School
Kingsacre Primary School, Braunton
Landscore Primary School
Lydford Primary School
Marine Academy Primary | Plymouth
Marpool Primary School, Exmouth
Milton Abbott Primary School, Nr Tavistock
Morchard Bishop C of E Primary School
Newton St Cyres Primary School | Exe Valley Federation
North Molton Primary School
North Tawton Community Primary School
Northlew and Ashbury Parochial Primary School
Okehampton Primary School
Parkham Community Primary, Bideford
Pilton Bluecoat CoE Academy, Barnstable | TEAM MAT
Princetown Community Primary School
Rackenford Primary School, Tiverton
Sandford School | Nr Crediton
South Molton Community Primary School
South Molton United CoE Primary School
South Tawton Primary School
St George’s VA Infant School, Northam
St Margaret’s C of E Aided Junior School, Northam
St Mary’s C of E Primary School, Bideford
Stratton Primary School, Bude
Tedburn St Mary | Woodleigh Federation
Thoverton CoE Primary School | Exe Valley Federation
Umberleigh Academy | TEAM MAT
Winkleigh Primary School
Witheridge Church Of England Primary School
Woolsery Primary School
Yeoford Community Primary School | Woodleigh Federation
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Our secondary courses
We offer non-salaried School Direct Secondary PGCE with QTS for the following (2018-19):
English (unlimited)
Maths (unlimited)
Biology (unlimited)
Physics (unlimited)
Chemistry (unlimited)
Modern Foreign Languages (unlimited)
History (unlimited)
Geography (unlimited)
Physical Education (2 places)
For all our secondary subjects (with the exception of Geography), trainees will receive the 'taught'
PGCE element of the course at the University of Exeter (St Luke’s) during the Autumn Term. The
main placement will be in an Alliance school, as well as a short placement in the spring term with a
second school. School based training will be supported by mentors.
During school-based work (SBW), you will be able to apply the knowledge and understanding
acquired during university elements of your PGCE course to your developing practice in the
classroom. The school and university elements of your training are designed to be complementary
and interconnected. Together they offer you a balance of practice and theory so that you develop
classroom skills alongside the knowledge and understanding that underpins these skills and
supports your developed as an informed and reflective teacher.
Because Geography is not a PGCE provided by the University of Exeter we deliver the taught
element of the programme in partnership with South West Teaching School Alliance. Designed and
delivered by outstanding Geography teachers from the high performing Geography departments in
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Devon, we offer trainees a rigorous and inspiring training programme. The PGCE element is
delivered via the University of Exeter’s Distance Learning Programme.
To find out more about the courses we offer or our Alliance schools please contact Martin Smith
Participating secondary schools in the Dartmoor TSA
Please note that most of our members work in ITE partnerships with other School Direct providers
and therefore may not be in a position to offer Dartmoor TSA trainees placements.
All Saints Academy Plymouth Budehaven Community School Braunton Academy
Cranbrook Education Campus | Secondary
Cullompton Community College
Dawlish Community College
Exmouth Community College
Great Torrington School
Holsworthy Community College
Illfracombe Academy
ISCA Academy, Exeter
King Edward VI Community College
Lipson Co-operative Academy
Okehampton College
Pilton Community College
Queen Elizabeth Academy, Crediton
South Molton Community College
St James, Exeter
St Luke's Science and Sports College, Exeter
Tavistock College
The Park Community School
Tiverton High School
West Buckland School, Barnstaple
West Exe School
Unique elements of training with us Our training has several key features. Firstly, we aim to personalise the support you are provided
to ensure you make rapid progress as a trainee. Secondly, all trainees – secondary and primary –
complete a cross-phase learning, where they will study the learning journey of children from 2
years old to 18. Thirdly, we have a team of Specialist Leaders in Education who will provide high
quality workshops, enabling trainees to access the latest insights into effective teaching and
learning. And finally, leaders from our Alliance provide training and guidance in principled-teaching
and leadership, which is consistent with the strong co-operative values that we uphold within our
Alliance. These are just some of the ways training with us has a distinctiveness.
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Entry requirements
Our Entry requirements match those for the University of Exeter PGCE programme and can be
found on the following web link: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/teachertraining/apply/entry/
Published below was accurate as of 20/9/2018:
Entry to the PGCE programme is conditional on:
Graduate or equivalent status
The relevance of an Honours degree content to the chosen specialist subject(s)
(current University of Exeter students are allowed to take up to 30 credits outside of their
degree programme, some of which may strengthen an application for a PGCE)
Passes at GCSE in English and Mathematics at grade C or above or equivalent (or for
GCSEs taken from Summer 2017 onwards, grade 4 or above) for those applying for
Secondary. If you are applying for Secondary Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Modern
Foreign Languages or Religious Education and do not have a pass at grade C/grade 4 in
either English or Mathematics, you will have the opportunity to sit the University’s
equivalency test in order to gain attainment at an appropriate level
Passes at GCSE in English, Mathematics and Science at grade C or above or
equivalent (or for GCSEs taken from Summer 2017 onwards, grade 4 or above) if you are
applying for Primary. Please note: although the NCTL minimum requirement is a grade
C/grade 4 at GCSE, we will generally only consider applicants with a grade B/grade 5 or
above for Mathematics and English and a grade C/grade 4 or above for Science for the
Primary programme
Selection based on the information provided on the UCAS Teacher Training application
Selection based on a successful interview
Successful completion of the professional skills tests
A medical report which is deemed satisfactory
A completed Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check which is deemed
satisfactory by the University http://www.exeter.ac.uk/dbs/
Note: It is the University of Exeter's policy that the level 2 certificate in Adult Literacy or Numeracy
is not acceptable as an equivalent to GCSE English/Mathematics.
Please note the above criteria are the national minimum entry requirements to be considered for a
PGCE course - please see individual subject pages for further information on additional subject-
specific criteria for University of Exeter PGCE Primary and Secondary courses.
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Fees and Finance Tuition Fees The tuition fee for Home/EU students for the University of Exeter's PGCE programme in 2019/20 is
£9,250. The tuition fee for Channel Island/Isle of Man students is £9,250. The tuition fee for
International students is £16,900
Government Loans for Teacher Training Courses UK (Home) students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan. Please see Student
Finance England for more information about Student Finance for Teacher Training Courses.
EU students who have come to the UK purely for the purposes of the Teacher Training Course
(PGCE) will be eligible to apply for a Tuition Fee Loan. They will not be eligible for the
Maintenance Loan. Students should apply for the Tuition Fee Loan here.
If you have any questions on the maintenance loan/tuition fee loan application process please
contact Student Finance England.
A resource you might find useful when considering the tuition fee system is Martin Lewis' Money
Saving Expert website (this site is independent of the University of Exeter).
The British Council also offers scholarships for languages teacher trainees.
Bursaries and funding The Department for Education offers Bursaries and Scholarships in many subject areas. Please
visit https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-and-salary for the latest information.
In 2018-2019 these types of funding covered Secondary English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry,
Biology, MFL, History, and Geography.
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Meet some of our new trainees Bryony (Primary Trainee – September 2018) “I am a current school direct trainee at Okehampton Primary School. My
decision to train through DTSA was an easy one. I could see that it was
made up of a large community of schools and I felt that the support and
experience I would receive would be excellent. Since starting in September
my thoughts have been confirmed and as I enter just my third week of
School Direct, I am already confident in the high quality and standard of the
training I am receiving. The members of staff, that I have had contact with,
continue to be incredibly supportive in all aspects of the course and I would
highly recommend prospective teachers to consider DTSA as their training provider.”
Martyn (Secondary Maths Trainee – September 2018) “Entering the grand world of working life after graduating from university is a
tough and demanding time. It needs to be right and moulded around one’s
ambitions. The DTSA offered a course structure that perfectly aligned with
my work ethic and dynamic. I have always been the type of character who
prefers academia but cherishes experience, so it was important to me to find
an organisation that can reconcile these through both a taught course and
classroom involvement. I am in my third week of teacher training and
already feel like part of a large social network and strong, dynamic team.
The staff are always on board to answer any question, no matter how silly”
Maria (Secondary MFL Trainee – September 2018) “I chose DTSA because it combines a School Direct route into teaching
(with the advantage of being able to learn from experienced teachers in
school from day one) and the outstanding teacher training provided by
the University of Exeter. Besides, their commitment to continued CPD
beyond the PGCE year and their flexibility to adapt to my needs (such as
remote interviewing and securing a main placement well in advance of
the start of training to facilitate relocation) made it my first and only
choice. I have now started training to be a Secondary MFL teacher with
DTSA and I am enjoying every second.”
Want to find our more? We strongly encourage potential applicants to visit us to find out more about the courses we offer.
This is easy to do via our web site www.dartmoortsa.org.uk. We can arrange to show you round
one or more of the many schools that are in the Dartmoor Teaching School Alliance. Alternatively,
get in touch with us using details below:
Contact us
Martin Smith (Director) | [email protected] | 07786523276
Sally Huxen (Primary Lead) | [email protected]
Jo Payne (Secondary Lead) | [email protected]
Fiona McNeile (Co-ordinator) | [email protected]
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