.png)
Explore Our School Direct Pathways
Get hands on experience when you train on a school-direct course
School Direct is a government-run initiative that enables PGCE students to do their teacher training in a School Direct alliance led by a school. Schools work in close partnership with universities to provide Postgraduate initial teacher training courses which lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). School Direct is a fantastic way for you to achieve your PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status whilst getting hands-on teaching experience via one of our School Direct Alliances.
On a School Direct PGCE course, your training will be delivered by both University of Cumbria tutors and experienced teachers from your School Direct Alliance. With the practitioner and academic expertise of the university and school staff at your disposal, you become an outstanding, critically reflective teacher in just one year.
Why choose school direct at Cumbria?
Get hands on experience in one of our 20 school partnerships across the North of England, boosting your employability whilst you train.
School Direct places are offered based on a school's assessment of future employment needs, meaning that you may be considered for a vacancy within your alliance after your training.
Benefit from the support of experienced school mentors and expert university tutors.
Put theory into practice from the start of your course, with in-school placements as the foundation of your learning.
of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating (HESA, 2020).
-400x266.jpg)
Partnership Schools in the UK
The University of Cumbria is partnered with a wide selection of schools across the North, from the heart of Cumbria to Manchester and Merseyside. Our wide-spanning School Direct region encompasses both our Carlisle Fusehill Street and Lancaster Campuses, so your placement school is never far from your on-campus learning hub. Take a look at our partner alliances below.
- Bishop Rawstorne School Direct
- Blackburn TEAM Alliance, Blackburn
- Blackburn with Darwen Education Alliance
- Blackpool Sea View Trust School Direct
- Carlisle School Direct
- Catholic Teaching Alliance
- Dallam Teaching Alliance
- Everyone Learning @ Lime Tree/Mossley Hollins/Hawthorns Teaching Partnership
- Great Schools Trust
- Kendal Primary Partnership
- Learning Futures Partnership
- Omega Teaching Partnership
- Pennine Lancashire
- Pennine Teaching School Alliance
- Preston Primary and Secondary Alliance
- St Ninians Catholic Federation
- Teach Heart Alliance
- Teach North West
- Teach Manchester
Frequently Asked Questions
School Direct provides a unique PGCE experience, and it does differ from a traditional Postgraduate Teacher Training course in some ways. Learn more below.
How is School Direct Different From A Typical PGCE?
Which School Direct Routes are Available at the University of Cumbria?
What Our Students Have to Say
-
I landed a job back in April, before I had even finished the course, in an outstanding academy school in Blackburn. I will be teaching Reception children and I'm very excited to start my career as an NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher).
![Lois Andrews]()
Lois Andrews
PGCE Primary Education with QTS - School Direct Route, Class of 2021
-
School Direct Resources
On-Campus Library
Our Libraries are well-equipped with all the books and journals you need to support your studies and development as teachers. We also hold a selection of tools, learning aids and teaching toys that you can use on placements.
Use OneSearch to discover resources in the library catalogue, consult your reading lists for recommended content and view the following pages for additional materials: Eresources, Resources for your subject, Journals.
-
School Direct Resources
Department for Education
The Department for Education (DfE) is responsible for the training and development of the school workforce. Visit their website for more information about becoming a teacher.
Find out more
