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School Direct - Secondary
School Direct, a one year full-time course, is designed by teachers, for teachers. You'll qualify as a secondary school teacher with a subject specialism. Train in our partner schools from day one and study at university too.
Entry requirements
A degree at 2:2 or above
GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 or grade C or above (or an equivalent qualification)
Experience of working with young people
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and trainees. All trainees are expected to share this commitment and demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and professional conduct.
UCAS code Click 'more info' below to see UCAS codes for partner schools
UCAS institution code P63
Duration One year full-time
Course Summary
This course trains you in one year to become a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) in a specialist subject in a secondary school. You will be based out of two different secondary schools across the year, immersed in school life and taking an active role. You will work mainly out of a lead school, with an additional placement for six to twelve weeks to give you breadth of experience.
Some training will be school based, led by teachers and working with other trainees from other schools, and you will also attend University. We have been training educators and teachers since the 1840s and have a huge alumni network and extensive school relationships to support your future career.
We offer School Direct for the following subjects: Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Drama, Design & Technology, Design and Technology (Food), Computing, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Physical Education, Physics and Religious Education.
You have two options for the School Direct programme:
Non-salaried - Open to all graduates and funded by tuition fees paid by the trainee. Trainees may receive a bursary of up to £30,000 from the Department of Education. This is the perfect route for graduates who want to be part of a school team from day one.
Salaried - Perfect for high-quality graduates (usually with a first class or upper second honours degree) who already have experience in a school. Trainees will earn a salary as an employee of the school, and will partake in a minimum of 60 days of training. You will also be invited to train at another school for variety of experience. During your training, you will have the support of school-based trainers and University trainers. There are limited places available on this route.
Why this course at Marjon?
School Direct relationships with a large number of school partnerships across the South West to give you a wide choice of learning experiences
Our expertise covers many specialisms of education including childhood development, early years, literacy and wellbeing
93.9 % of our graduates are in further study, sustained employment or both five years after graduating, compared to a sector average for England of 88.2% (LEO, 2019)
Modules for this course
1st Year
Teacher education and professional learning (QTS)
Current issues in education
Subject knowledge, pedagogy and learning
Learning and cognition
Reflecting on learning
This course is perfect if you’re curious about these questions...
What does it feel like to be a part of a school team?
How do I make my subject relevant to pupils in school to get them to want to learn?
What sort of school do I enjoy working in most?
How do I help young adults get ready for life after school?
What different approaches to teaching can I use to make pupils understand my subject?
How do we create deep learning rather than surface learning?
“ It was clear that all trainees felt very satisfied with the delivery of the programme and praised Marjon’s full support, clear information and excellent communication... Assessment is fair and consistent and tutors provide supportive and constructive feedback to develop students’ learning further... Processes are exemplary.”
What might you become?
You will become a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) in a secondary school. Most trainees start to apply for jobs from January ready for September start. School Direct is very attractive to potential employers because all training is undertaken in schools which gives graduates a wealth of practical classroom experience. The quality of our graduates is well recognised both locally and nationally and, as such, a very high proportion of graduates gain immediate employment in partnership schools, a few enroll on Masters programmes to further their studies. Marjon Trainees gain rapid career development because of the quality of the training experience.
With School Direct you apply directly to a partnership, and the assessment and interviews are run together by head teachers and Marjon. We will start to talk to you about your ambitions from the first moment we meet you. Our jobs fair in late winter is an opportunity for many School Direct trainees to meet potential employers, practice interviews and to finalise an offer for their first role in September.
After you graduate we keep in touch. During your first year you will be invited back to our NQT conference to catch up with classmates, share your experiences and take part in continuing professional development.
Working with:
Department for Education
Marjon is recognised as a teacher training provider by the Dept for Education.
How you’ll be taught and assessed?
How will you be taught?
You will attend school-based taught sessions, run by the partnership for all of their School Direct trainees to help support your development as a trainee teacher. University teaching takes place on one day a week and includes lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical workshops. A School Direct programme is intensive and akin to being in a full time job.
How will you be assessed?
Assessment is based on the way you will be assessed when you are a qualified teacher and includes teaching portfolios, assignments, presentations, observed teaching and case studies.
Claire is Programme lead for the Secondary PGCEs and Schools Direct. Claire's specialist subject is English and before joining Marjon she worked in various secondary schools in Exeter as well for South West Teacher Training. Her research interests are reflective practice, teacher identity and retention.
Fees and funding
Fees UK students: £9,250
This fee covers your tuition and access to course-specific equipment and facilities, as well associated services including access to the library, study skills support, IT support, student support and wellbeing services and membership of the Student Union. There may be additional costs by course.
Funding available for this course
Our Student Funding Advisors offer confidential and impartial advice about your funding options.
Learn moreMore information
Click to see our School Direct Partnerships (Secondary) to see where you could be teaching (with UCAS codes). See how to get into teaching for help with applying for School Direct.
More about entry requirements
- A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is required.
- We have a responsibility to ensure that trainees have the health and physical capacity to teach. Candidates must meet the Secretary of State’s requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach as detailed in ‘Fit to Teach’ by completing an on-line medical questionnaire.
- The Skills tests no longer exist as an entry requirement however, all teachers are expected to be competent in fundamental English and Mathematics. We will be assuring that trainees have these skills either during the selection process, or later during the training programme.
- It is not essential that candidates have school experience when they apply for a School Direct course, however, we recommend that candidates obtain observation experience to ensure teaching is the right career for them.
- Candidates must take part in individual and a group interviews with representatives from schools as well as University tutors.
Marjon currently works with five school direct partners for secondary provision across the region and one SCITT in London. Links to the partners:
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Find out more about studying School Direct - Secondary at Marjon
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