TEACHER TRAINING 2025
ASSION APPLIE
CURI SITY
S APES THE FUTU E
Teaching is more than just a job – it’s your chance to work with the next generations to inspire, create, and build a future. It’s a profession like no other, full of curiosity, creativity and personal growth.
If you’re looking for the bigger picture, or smaller details, here are five reasons we think you should get into teaching...
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
As a teacher you’ll have the power to change lives. Every child has a mind brimming with curiosity, and you can be the person to unlock their potential.
GET CREATIVE
Teaching is an opportunity to channel your creativity into a rewarding professional setting. With fresh ideas, new technologies, and global developments, there are always new ways to push yourself to new creative heights.
SHAKE IT UP!
One thing that is guaranteed as a teacher is that no two days are ever the same! It doesn’t matter what age group you’re teaching, or which school you go to. Teaching as a profession will always find new ways to challenge and delight you.
IT’S ALL ABOUT GROWTH
You may think teaching is about helping children grow into the best versions of themselves, and it is, but you’ll be constantly growing too. You’ll continue to learn throughout your course and your placements, and with structured career progression, you’ll be able to grow towards your long-term professional goals too.
A REWARDING PROFESSION
Teaching is a career path full of priceless intellectual and emotional rewards, but there are tangible benefits too. Funding options, including bursaries from the Department for Education, are available for some teacher training courses, depending on your chosen subject. You’ll also have a great starting salary and the safety of knowing you’re part of a teacher pension scheme.
Find out more about your own path into teaching: www.bathspa.ac.uk/teach EXPLORE
EMPOWERING YOU TO INSPIRE
I RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT FROM THE UNIVERSITY IN PREPARING FOR MY JOB INTERVIEW AT MY CURRENT SCHOOL. THANKS TO THIS SUPPORT, I AM NOW ENTERING MY SECOND YEAR AS AN EARLY CAREERS TEACHER, AFTER HAVING AN AMAZING FIRST YEAR TEACHING EXPERIENCE."
Teacher.
PROFESSIONALLY CREATIVE
PROFESSIONALLY CREATIVE PROFESSIONALLY
PROFESSIONALLY CREATIVE PROFESSIONALLY
Here at Bath Spa University, we have a strong reputation for training teachers. Through our innovative and supportive environment, we’ll make sure you’re ready for the classroom, and that children in your care achieve the best outcomes in their learning.
TRAIN WITH AN ESTABLISHED PROVIDER
We have over 75 years experience in training confident, creative teachers, first operating as Newton Park Teacher Training College in 1946. From day one, you’ll be recognised as a Bath Spa Teacher (BST), you’ll be given professional responsibility, as well as plenty of support into your ECT years and beyond.
BENEFIT FROM OUR CONNECTIONS
We work with 670+ schools, colleges and early years settings in the region. We’ll work with you, considering your location and type of school experience you need, to ensure that you have access to high quality, complementary placements. When on placement, you’ll work closely with expert colleagues in school to develop your teaching skills through practice and reflection.
OUR FOUR CORE PRINCIPLES:
Creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and care are vital in providing exceptional training. Find out why.
GET THE SUPPORT YOU NEED
We’re here for you. You’ll receive support from an assigned academic tutor and school mentor throughout your programme, to help you become a confident and competent professional teacher. You can also access professional guidance and support around accessibility, disability, general wellbeing, physical or mental health.
EMBODY OUR CORE PRINCIPLES
We believe that all children deserve the very best teachers, and that education plays a key role in promoting social justice and reducing inequalities. We deliver training underpinned by our four core principles: creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and care, to ensure you make a difference to the lives and futures of the children and young people you teach.
CHOOSE WHO YOU WANT TO TEACH, AND EXCEL AT IT
As one of the largest teacher training providers in the region, you can choose the age you want to teach – from early years through to secondary –and work with other students, teachers, governors, researchers and support staff to become a confident and highly skilled teacher.
GRADUATE WITH RECOGNISED QUALITY
Our recent Ofsted inspection stated that we use our links with our partnership “extremely well to rapidly incorporate new developments in curriculum design for trainees and mentors.” We were praised for “many mentors go(ing) above and beyond what is expected of them, to nurture and support trainees to improve their practice.” We received further commendation for our curriculum too, “which consistently enables (students) to become confident teachers of their respective subjects.”
Enya Kernan, PGCE graduate, PE
IND NG Y UR PATH
We have a range of pathways to train you to teach both primary or secondary, which will you choose?
UNDERGRADUATE
BA (Hons) Primary Education with QTS (5-11)
Co-created and co-delivered with members of our network of 400 local schools, you’ll gain the essential knowledge, skills and confidence that you’ll need to shine in the classroom. You will also be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on completion, meaning you can go straight into employment.
POSTGRADUATE
PGCE Primary and Early Years
Developed in partnership with schools and early years settings, our training programme will support you to become an innovative and inspiring teacher. You’ll make a difference at the start of children’s school careers.
Choose either 3-7 years, 5-11 years or 7-11 years with the option to specialise in Arts, English, English as an Additional Language, Maths, Modern Languages, Physical Education, Science or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities for those on the 5-11 or 7-11 training routes.
DON’T HAVE A DEGREE IN A SUBJECT YOU WANT TO TEACH?
Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses are perfect for graduates who are interested in teaching a particular subject at secondary level, but who don’t have a degree in that subject. These take place before the teacher training programme starts. Each course is designed to help you spot any gaps and top up your subject knowledge so that you’re fully prepared for your programme of choice.
OTHER ROUTES
Assessment only route to QTS
If you are already working in a school as an unqualified teacher, this route will allow you to become fully qualified to teach, in just 12 weeks.
PGCE Secondary
Co-created with our partner schools to meet their needs, what you learn will place you in an excellent position for future employment. You’ll become a passionate, empathetic and skilled teacher of your chosen secondary subject from the very beginning of your course. Choose from:
• Art and Design
• Business Studies
• Computing
• Design and Technology
• Drama
• English
• Geography
• History
• Mathematics
• Modern Languages
• Music
• Physical Education
• Religious Education
• Science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics)
QUA ITIES WE VALUE IN YO
Are you wondering if you have the right skills and personal qualities? At Bath Spa University, we think there are a few things that make a brilliant teacher, and we'll help you develop them.
ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE
WE’VE BEEN WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BATH SPA UNIVERSITY FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
WE EMPLOY A LOT OF BATH SPA TRAINEE TEACHERS, AND THEY’VE GOT A WILLINGNESS TO LEARN, GOOD SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE AND THE ENERGY TO IMPROVE THEMSELVES. THEY ARE PREPARED TO DO THE JOB.”
Andy Greenhough, Headteacher
Having the confidence to communicate with not only children and young people, but also with adults and colleagues comprehensively. You’ll be regularly liaising with parents/carers and a range of other professionals as part of your work as a teacher.
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
You’ll need to be able to adapt your teaching approach to meet the needs of the children and young people you’ll be teaching. We want you to be able to think creatively about the best context and resources to allow all learners to achieve the best possible outcome.
AN ORGANISED, FLEXIBLE APPROACH TO WORK
You'll need to be ready for the day ahead but able to change plans if necessary for various reasons, such as classroom dynamics or particular interests, or staff absences.
Find out more about your own path into teaching: www.bathspa.ac.uk/teach EXPLORE
COMMITMENT TO THE PROFESSION
You'll be working within a set of professional standards as a teacher. Therefore, from the very start of the course, you'll need to demonstrate a professional attitude and commitment to the role of teacher and the children and young people in your care.
ABILITY TO REFLECT ON YOUR PRACTICE
It’s important to be able to think back on your lesson planning and preparation, delivery and decision making, to evaluate what works and what needs tweaking to enable all children to achieve the best possible outcome.
TOP TIP
Getting some school experience will not only help you see what teaching is like, it will also be a great addition to your application form!
START YOUR TEACHING JOURNEY
Ready to start your career in education? Here’s everything you need to know about applying...
ELIGIBILITY:
• GCSEs at Grade C/Level 4 or above in Maths and English, as well as Science for Primary Education
• An Enhanced DBS check and Fitness to Train to Teach assessment prior to starting
• School Experience is desirable
• Successful applicants will be invited to an interview.
For PGCE courses, an undergraduate degree is also required, with specific subject requirements for Secondary Education.
For more information about the entry requirements for PGCE Primary and Secondary courses, see our website.
Scan to find out more about applying for a Teaching course
CREATIVE PROFESSIONALLY CREATIVE PROFESSIONALLY CREATIVE PROFESSIONALLY CREATIVE
I LOVE TEACHING BECAUSE NO TWO DAYS ARE THE SAME, I FIND THAT I CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIVES. SEEING STUDENTS GROW AND DEVELOP IN THE SUBJECT, OR WHETHER THAT'S JUST AS A PERSON, IS INCREDIBLY REWARDING AND FULFILLING."
James Rowe, PGCE graduate, Teacher
SUPPORT FOR YOUR AMBITIONS
At BSU, we like to think we offer the best of both worlds. We’re small enough to focus on every individual, but large enough to have a thriving community with lots going on. There’s also a strong support network to help you with everything you need, from juggling work priorities to coping with emotional or health issues.
You’ll receive support from an assigned academic tutor and school mentor throughout your programme, and have access to the professional guidance and support available to all of our students, whenever you need it.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The full-time annual fee for our undergraduate BA and PGCE courses is £9,250 for UK students, and £16,460 for international students.
Undergraduate and PGCE applicants may be entitled to the following:
• Tuition Fee Loan £9,250*
• Maintenance Loan (Partially means tested) £10,227* These are applied for and granted via Student Finance.
There are a range of different scholarships, bursaries and awards available to both undergraduate and PGCE students, depending on your circumstances. This could include funding for specific PGCE Secondary subjects.**
PGCE applicants may also be entitled to extra support, depending on personal circumstances including:
• Adult dependents’ grant
• Parents’ learning allowance
• Child tax credits
• Disabled students’ allowance
Amounts may differ depending on which country you live in, your personal circumstances and the tuition fee for the course.
V SIT S
Our Teacher Education events are designed to show you the different routes into teaching, explain our entry requirements and application process and inform you of the financial support available for trainee teachers.
You’ll also get the chance to ask our staff any questions you may have - it’s a great way to overcome any nerves before applying!
UPCOMING DATES:
• Wednesday 13 November (on campus)
• Thursday 5 December (online)
• Saturday 25 January (on campus)
• Monday 17 February (online)
Scan here to see our full list of events and book your place.
YOUR NEXT STEPS TO TEACHING
Excited to get going? All you need to know about us, our courses and funding is on our website.
Bath Spa University bathspa.ac.uk/teach
Published September 2024
It is intended as a general guide to the teacher training courses available at Bath Spa University for students starting in September 2025. Bath Spa University has made every effort to ensure that the information provided is helpful and accurate at the date of publication. However some changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees, may become necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. Bath Spa University will endeavour to keep any changes to a minimum.
Before making an application, it is particularly important that you check the website (www.bathspa.ac.uk) for the most up-to-date information.
