- Study mode
- Full-time
- Study level
- Postgraduate
- Course type
- School-led
- Teaching qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) with QTS
- Student loans
- No
- Application method
- Direct to scheme
- Classroom experience preferred
- No
- Fees and funding
- Salaried training
- Undergraduate duration
- 2 years
The Teach First Leadership Development Programme (LDP) is an employment-based route for high quality graduates. Similar to School Direct (salaried) and Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship employment-based routes, you’ll learn on the job while you work towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- A two-year salaried programme leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) qualification, it’s a popular route for recent graduates as well as those looking to change or extend their career. The PGDE in England is similar to the PGCE, but contains up to 120 credits at master’s degree level. Teach First give you the option to earn the credits required for a full master's degree once you've completed your teacher training.
- The programme focuses on training exceptional teachers to teach in challenging schools. It combines leadership development and teacher training, giving applicants the chance to become an inspirational leader in classrooms that need it the most.
- Following five weeks of intensive training into the theory and practice of teaching, you’ll start in school as an unqualified teacher supported by in-school mentors and university tutors. In the second year, you will teach as a newly qualified teacher (NQT), with continued mentoring and training.
Fees and funding
With the Teach First Leadership Development Programme, you won’t need to pay any tuition fees. In the first year of the course, you’ll be paid as an unqualified teacher, rising to newly qualified teacher (NQT) in your second year.
Applications and entry requirements
You must have achieved the following minimum requirements to be eligible to apply for the Teach First Leadership Development programme:
- You'll need to hold a 2:1 undergraduate degree or above, awarded by a UK higher education provider, in a relevant national curriculum subject.
- You’ll need to have achieved a standard equivalent to grade C/4, or above, in the GCSE examinations in English and mathematics.
- If you intend to train to teach pupils aged three to 11 (early years and primary), you must also have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C/4, or above, in a GCSE science subject examination.
- You must also meet some non-academic requirements, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and declaration of criminal convictions.
Applications to the Leadership Development Programme are made directly to Teach First. Check their website for specific course information and entry requirements.