Our SCITT training

What is a SCITT route into Teaching? 

School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) is a practical, school-based route into teaching which is accredited by the DfE (Department for Education) and inspected by Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills). Unlike university-led courses, SCITT programmes are delivered directly by schools and trusts, giving trainees hands-on classroom experience from the start. In GLF SCITT’s course, you will get to start with the children from the first day of term. 

SCITT combines immersive school placements with academic study, ensuring that trainees build subject knowledge, classroom management skills, and confidence while working alongside experienced teachers. Most SCITT programmes also award Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) upon completion, with the option to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) too. 

Why choose SCITT for teacher training? 

SCITT is a popular pathway because it allows trainees to: 

• Know your placement schools ahead of starting the course, helping you plan ahead.

• Learn in a real school environment from day one. 
• Gain immediate, practical teaching experience. 
• Work closely with mentors and experienced teaching staff. 
• Build strong professional networks within the schools you train in. Many of our trainees go on to stay and work in the school they train in. 
• Access structured academic study that supports and runs alongside practical learning. 
• Around 50% of the centre-based training is delivered face to face in a local training centre providing our trainees with all the benefits of a supportive network and active learning, this is combined with some work from home online learning days to support wellbeing and reduce the time and costs associated with travelling to training centres. 

For many aspiring teachers, SCITT offers the best of both worlds: professional practice in the classroom alongside recognised academic qualifications. 

How long does a SCITT programme take? 

Our main SCITT programme takes one academic year to complete and our flexible route takes four terms. During this time, trainees are based in schools across the trust or partner schools, gradually taking on more responsibility for planning, teaching, and assessing pupils’ progress, depending on their prior experience and chosen route. 

If you are ready to take the first step, explore our range of programmes for teacher training in Surrey, Greater London, West Sussex, Berkshire, Reading and Oxford to see how GLF Schools can help kick-start your career in teaching! 

Why choose the SCITT route over a University route?

• The IFT SCITT route offers a balanced training delivery model. Around 50% of the centre-based training is delivered face to face in a local training centre providing our trainees with all the benefits of a supportive network and active learning, this is combined with some work from home online learning days to support wellbeing and reduce the time and costs associated with travelling to training centres. 
• Our main SCITT route offers the opportunity to do a PGCE alongside the initial teacher training programme
• You will receive school‑centred training with a University Partnership
• SCITT training offers the best of both worlds: practical, school-based learning, combined with the academic rigour and recognition of university study
• You will become a part of your host school from day one of the programme which enables you to immerse yourself in school life, fully preparing yourself for life as an early career teacher (ECT)
• Being part of a school team affords the opportunity to network within the school and within the greater GLF community
• Our schools pro-actively recruit our own SCITT trainees as a first port of call before outside applications
• Our team build a strong connection with our trainees and get to know everyone as individuals
• All SCITT team members are mental health first aiders and can offer one to one well-being and coaching support.