PGCE Secondary Teaching with QTS (school-led)
Program start date | Application deadline |
2026-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
PGCE Secondary Teaching with QTS (school-led)
About this course
Take the School-led route into Secondary teaching with LJMU and gain Qualified Teacher Status and invaluable classroom experience.
- Train within a school setting and be involved in school life from the first day of term
- Choose from a wide variety of Secondary teacher training routes (see Details tab for more information)
- Follow a curriculum developed and delivered in partnership with outstanding local schools
- Learn from expert teachers
- Prepare for a career as an innovative and creative teacher with one of LJMU's excellent Lead Partners
LJMU's Initial Teacher Education programmes are designed to develop reflective practitioners who are able to apply a deep understanding of the curriculum, learners and learning to impact on the development and achievement of young people.
Training on the School-led pathway includes substantial time spent in school, led by experienced practitioners. Bursaries are available on the programme, depending on your degree classification and subject area.
The School-led pathway is offered by a number of school consortia, each with a Lead Partner, who works with LJMU to develop their training programme. As each School-led programme is distinctive, you are advised to check full details of training and requirements with the Lead Partner before applying.
Applications for places with our School-led consortia are made directly to Lead Partners via DfE Apply. The interview and selection process is conducted by school staff in association with LJMU.
For the training of Secondary teachers, LJMU works in partnership with the following School-led consortia:
- Archbishop Blanch School, Liverpool
- The Sandstone Trust, based at Tarporley High School, Cheshire
- The Learning Partnership, based at Knutsford Academy, Cheshire
- North West Learning Partnership, St Helens
- Turton School, Bolton
- The Heath School, Runcorn
- Weatherhead High School, Wallasey, Wirral
- Wigan & West Lancashire Catholic School Direct, based at St Peter’s Catholic High School, Wigan
Course modules
Core modules
- Reflecting on learning, teaching and assessment (11-16) (40 credits)
- This module is designed to enable student teachers to systematically develop, demonstrate and critically reflect on evidence of competence across all areas of the LJMU ITE Curriculum to ensure that the Teachers’ Standards are met at the end of the programme and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) can be awarded.
Optional modules
- Education and Schooling (3-7) (5-11) (11-16) (20 credits)
- This module provides an option to complete a postgraduate Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme with an alternative exit award WITHOUT recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). In this module, students will develop a critical understanding of the contemporary policy landscape of education and schooling in England, with reference to educational research and scholarship, informed by personal observation of practice.
- Becoming a Professional Teacher (11-16) (20 credits)
- The aim of this module is to develop student teachers' understanding of both subject-specific and general pedagogies, and to develop competent and knowledgeable teachers with an understanding of learning, teaching and assessment.
Professional accreditation
Our Initial Teacher Education courses are monitored by Ofsted - the Office for Standards in Education.
In June 2023, Secondary Initial Teacher Training received a “good” rating following a rigorous 4-day inspection. Ofsted noted many strengths in provision, which are noted below.
- Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum that goes beyond the DfE’s core content framework and is underpinned by appropriate and pertinent research.
- Student teachers discuss and debate relevant theory in the centre-based training and are given opportunities to apply their understanding in placement schools.
- Trainees’ professional and subject-specific studies are clearly and purposefully interwoven at this partnership. For example, trainees get a secure grounding in generic pedagogy, as well as the subject-specific knowledge that they need to teach their subject well.
- Tutors and mentors help trainees to understand the connections between what they are learning and how to use and apply this knowledge in placement schools.
- The provider has developed a network of strong relationships with partner schools. Communication between the different partners is a strength.
- Furthermore, all partners display a strong commitment to supporting the ambition of social justice for all pupils. Student teachers understand the importance of breaking down barriers to learning for disadvantaged pupils and for pupils with SEND and also learn about ensuring equality of opportunity for all pupils in their care.
Your Learning Experience
- Teaching Assessment
- An insight into teaching on your course
- You will have access to all of the classroom and teaching facilities provided by the schools within your consortium as well as the expertise of educational professionals at LJMU.
- In addition, your university sessions will be based in the new Education Building in the heart of the Mount Pleasant campus, the School of Education features a wide range of cutting-edge facilities, including a pedagogy room, lecture rooms, computing facilities and a nearby Outdoor Learning Zone for our Natural Curriculum projects. Students also benefit from independent study spaces, a close-by cafeteria and library, and access to student welfare and support.
Career paths
- Further your career prospects
- LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
- Many schools involved in School-led training are seeking to fill a vacant post at the end of the course, though there is no guarantee of employment.
- During your training there will be ample opportunities for engagement with relevant local employment organisations including schools and teacher recruitment agencies through on campus events.
- You will be encouraged to join the relevant professional association for your subject or area of study, providing the opportunity to engage with wider networks of teachers and others interested in your chosen area.
- Most of our students go on to work in schools and colleges, locally and nationally, in the state or independent sectors.
- Teaching provides a variety of career pathways leading to specialist roles in schools and colleges ranging from pastoral care and subject leadership right through to school leadership positions.
- Having gained experience in teaching, a number of graduates move into associated professions such as educational psychology, consultancy, and roles in the education service sector outside of schools.
Tuition fees and funding
- Home: £9,535
- International: £18,250
- Fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
- Financial Support: There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
- Additional Costs: In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of accommodation, travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU, stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire.
Entry requirements
- Home:
- Undergraduate degree: Have a first-degree classification normally a minimum of 2.2 Honours or equivalent from a UK university, or equivalent overseas qualification
- GCSEs and equivalents: Have at least a grade C/4 or above in GCSE English Language and Mathematics or their equivalent
- Further information:
- Extra Requirements: Receipt of satisfactory Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Certificate prior to enrolment, Completion of a medical questionnaire, for medical clearance by the LJMU Occupational Health team, to confirm Fitness to Teach.
- RPL: RPL is not accepted on this programme
- International:
- IELTS: IELTS overall 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in each component)
- Further information:
- Extra Requirements: Receipt of satisfactory Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) Certificate prior to enrolment, Completion of a medical questionnaire, for medical clearance by the LJMU Occupational Health team, to confirm Fitness to Teach.
- RPL: RPL is not accepted on this programme
How to apply
- Securing your place at LJMU
- If you want to join a PGCE with us, you will need to apply through the Apply for Teacher Training service here
- Applications can be made via Apply to the Lead Partner. Each applicant will be considered in consultation with an LJMU Admissions Tutor and may be asked to attend a selection event in school. The selection process will be led by the school teachers and Senior Leaders and may involve LJMU Tutors.
- Ability: Applicants will be assessed for their depth of relevant subject knowledge, potential to work effectively at Masters level, ability to work with others in teams, and ability to manage people and projects.
- Attitude: Applicants will be expected to demonstrate an interest and enthusiasm for their chosen subject area, an ability to make learning exciting and meaningful to young people in a range of contexts, commitment to supporting learners in areas of challenging social context, and enthusiasm and resilience.
- Courses can be viewed on the government's Get into Teaching website.
- Location: You should live within reasonable travelling distance of the University and our partner schools for the duration of the course.
- Selection events: Selection is based on performance in an interview, teaching and written tasks and may involve the school's learners. The selection process will be led by the schools' Teachers and Senior Leaders and may also involve LJMU Tutors.
- Prior to entry: You will need to meet the Department for Education's standards for physical and mental fitness to teach and clearance to work with children. Further information, including a Declaration of Health questionnaire and details of how to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure, will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.