Our Approach to School-Based
Students, who are already graduates, will study for a one-year University of Cumbria Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) at Master's level, which will give them qualified teacher status enabling them to pursue a teaching career.
We will work with partner schools bringing together expert practitioner and academic expertise with the aim of creating critically reflective professionals who are at the leading edge of research informed practice.
We are currently working with a range of schools who are developing projects to meet the needs of the partnership and local school alliances whilst maintaining the high quality academic elements of the university’s provision. We can support alliances who wish to offer either fee paying or salaried routes.
If you have a particular interest in School-Based, we are developing a range of flexible and responsive approaches to working with schools:
- University of Cumbria Existing PGCE courses - We are working in collaboration with schools to recruit School-Based student teachers to join our existing PGCE courses. This is a particularly viable option for schools with small School-Based number allocations but want increased involvement with the recruitment, aspects of training, placement and hope to employ them within the alliance of schools involved.
- School Embedded PGCE - We are working with schools to develop a flexibly delivered PGCE programme jointly planned and delivered by the school (or alliance of schools) and university. Depending on the amount of training and assessment the schools take on this may well involve an institutional approval and validation process. The university and school will work together to ensure that the quality and rigour of the University of Cumbria academic standards are maintained, while the professional expertise of the school will be fully maximised. A staff development programme will be developed following an analysis of staff training requirements.
Why Choose Cumbria
The University of Cumbria is at the forefront of School-Based developments. We are the largest provider in the North West and one of the top three School-Based providers nationwide with over 300 places available.
The university works closely with partner schools across England to train Primary and Secondary teachers. We value the strong partnerships we have with schools. We are engaging in a range of approaches to increase school ownership of teacher training, both in our traditional teacher training courses and with School-Based projects.
Register Your Interest
If you would like to register an interest in working in partnership with the University of Cumbria to develop outstanding teachers through the School-Based route, please complete the form below. Our School-Based Team will be in touch to discuss your ideas and ensure you receive details about our School-Based information events.
Complete the Form
How the university will work with you
- A bespoke University School-Based team will respond to your initial enquiry and arrange a meeting to listen to your ideas and hopes for developing the School-Based approach.
- A named person will be the key strategic contact for your project supported by a team specifically trained in leading the joint projects. This will involve explanation of the programmes and support with tailoring a programme to meet the needs and context of the particular partnership.
- Development of a partnership agreement which includes a realistic costing of the programme and identifying any training needs required.
- The university will hold School-Based training days to help guide you through the process and to network with other School-Based lead schools to be part of a School-Based community.
- Ongoing support and quality assurance systems, including a university representative attending the School-Based management meetings.
- Access to support from all the University services to help with planning the programme. The University will aid with recruitment, fitness to teach and DBS clearance checks.
- Opportunities for school staff to engage in further qualifications in order to develop themselves as school-based teacher educators.