Initial Teacher Training
Applications for 2021/2022 are now open
Our 2021/2022 Kaizen School Direct Initial Teacher Training Brochure can be found below.
Please contact us on if you have any questions regarding training opportunities within the Kaizen Teaching School Alliance.
Please use the Find postgraduate teacher training search tool to search for current vacancies. Please type in "Kaizen Teaching School Alliance" to find all Kaizen courses that currently have vacancies. Course codes can be found in the Kaizen brochure above.
Initial Teacher Training with Kaizen
The Kaizen Teaching School Alliance (KTSA) has the experience and capacity to deliver outstanding teacher training for the next generation of teachers. As an Alliance, we are passionate about teaching and learning and we are also committed to providing exceptional world-class initial teacher training. We have a cultural mix of students who are keen to achieve. The Alliance has a number of schools OFSTED judged as outstanding. We are a forward-thinking ITT strand leadership team and our curriculum reflects the best possible way forward for all our students.
Our aim is simple: We want to continue our tradition of raising standards through effective teaching and learning, whilst providing the highest level of quality for learning and teacher development.
School Direct Training
School Direct is a route into teaching which moves the focus of study from a university to a school. Whether you’ve just finished a degree, or have been working in a career for many years, you will probably want to combine any further teacher training with actually doing the job. With School Direct, you are selected by us from day one and we make a commitment not only to your training but to your subsequent employment.
What makes a good teacher, and why teach?
Over the past few years we have seen numerous programmes such as Educating Manchester, Educating Yorkshire, Educating Essex, Tough Young Teachers, and Educating the East End which have followed teachers that work in a range of schools. But what makes a good teacher, and why would you teach? Watch this video clip to find out more.
Do you have an interest in a particular subject or age range? Watch the video clips to see why you should choose teaching as a career and the range of opportunities that are available :
The Kaizen School Direct programme
We work in partnership with Kent and Medway Training (KMT) to provide a tailored programme of training. The School Direct pathways offered through the Kaizen Teaching School Alliance allow you to gain either QTS or PGCE by the end of the training period.
Additionally the KTSA are able to provide the following :
- School experience placements in a variety of contexts prior to the starting of the course.
- Focused Professional Studies.
- Subject Knowledge Enhancement through Kent and Medway Training.
- The opportunity to gain Masters Credits.
- Training opportunities across the Alliance.
- School Placements in differing contexts across the Alliance.
- An SEN experience.
- Strong support provided by the Alliance.
- Networking opportunities with trainees at other teaching schools.
- Support to secure a teaching position on completion of the course.
What qualifications/experience will you need?
You must have a UK university degree or a recognised equivalent qualification at a 2:2 or higher. If your degree subject does not link closely to the subject you intend to teach, you may improve your ability to gain a place on an initial teacher training (ITT) programme by following a subject knowledge enhancement course.
To train as a teacher on any programme you must achieve a standard equivalent to a grade C/4 in GCSE English and mathematics. If you want to teach Primary (Key stage 1/2) you must also have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in a science GCSE.
School Experience
In normal circumstances we recommend a minimum of 10 days of School Experience. We are fully aware, however, that many schools are not allowing School Experience to take place due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please rest-assured that this will not be a barrier to applying to our schools or to being successful in gaining a training position. Should the situation change and we are able to offer School Experience we will update the information on this website.
What places are available?
The Get into Teaching search portal holds all the information about our vacancies and applications are done via UCAS.
Please check the DfE portal before applying as places advertised in our brochure may have already been filled.
What will it cost?
Trainees on a School Direct Training Programme will have to pay tuition fees to cover the cost of the course, but home and EU trainees will be eligible for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of these fees. Bursaries are available in many subjects, depending on university degree classification and subject. For more information about bursaries visit the Get into Teaching Website.
How to apply
To find a course with vacancies pelase use the Find postgraduate teacher training search tool. Please type in "Kaizen Teaching School Alliance" to find all Kaizen courses that currently have vacancies.
You will then need to apply using UCAS. Full details of how to apply and track your application via UCAS can be found here
If you have any further questions in relation to the School Direct programme or applications please contact us.
Useful websites
