Course Content

Our Teaching School Hub is based at Archbishop Holgate’s School, an outstanding Church of England Academy, with excellent student outcomes, which is situated three quarters of a mile from York city centre.

We firmly believe that the in-school training delivered by our fantastic partnership of schools, combined with the academic rigour encouraged and delivered by UoY, provides a great formula for training outstanding teachers for the future.

Partnering with UoY, a provider with which we have such a rich and developed relationship, has allowed us to create a truly engaging and worthwhile programme, which draws on the expertise of specialist university staff.

All sessions are led by outstanding educational practitioners and experienced teachers from Pathfinder schools and other external teaching and learning experts from our hub partner Ebor Academy Trust.

You will undertake Masters level academic training and assessments, and take part in lectures, seminars and workshops on professional learning, educational theory, teaching approaches, behaviour management, Special Educational Needs, and curriculum subjects.

You will have the opportunity to learn about child development and be able to draw on quality educational research, as you reflect on how this informs classroom practice. You will learn techniques and approaches to try in the classroom in order to help you progress in your teaching career. The training we provide is rooted in research-led practice and practical experiences, offering you the opportunity to learn from the best, reflect on how theory and classroom life are linked, and to become the teacher you want to be through a personalised programme of support.

This combination of an academically strong research-led focus alongside rich and reflective practical experiences are why Pathfinder trainees are so highly regarded within the region, securing posts in York and beyond. Our excellent retention and employment rates demonstrate how effective our programme is in developing and mentoring the next generation of successful teachers.

What makes our course unique?

A central feature of our programme is that every child, no matter their circumstances, should go on to receive a world class start in life. This means we make a conscious effort to guide you in addressing areas of educational inequality, inclusion and what we can do as teachers to support all young people at being successful.

All taught sessions are led by outstanding educational practitioners and experienced teachers from Pathfinder Multi Academy Trust and Ebor Academy Trust schools and other external teaching and learning experts. When on placement, you are guaranteed to be working in schools in and around the area of York meaning you can train where you live.

We will show you what we know works best in the classroom, how to work efficiently and how to collaborate well with others.

Trainees who complete our course will be able to:

• Independently and creatively plan, resource and deliver lessons by applying theory, discipline knowledge and appropriate level expectations
• Create an inclusive, stimulating learning environment by managing classroom dynamics and adapting to learning need
• Effectively assess learning and progression through critiquing a range of well-development formative and summative strategies
• Critically reflect on, and perceptively develop their own classroom practice by assessing and selecting appropriate evaluative frameworks and engaging actively with a supportive network for feedback
• Communicate clearly, confidently and professionally with teaching colleagues, pupils, parents/guardians, support staff, external agencies and in academic contexts, using media appropriate to the situation
• Contribute with justifications to debates and developments in primary education by applying a research-informed approach to the analysis of their own practice and by proactively researching broader education

Fees and Funding

Click here to access information about tuition fees, maintenance loans, bursaries and scholarships. By training to teach with Pathfinder and The University of York, you will still be entitled to all of the usual financial support available to PGCE students.

Teaching and Assessment

By working with The University of York and Pathfinder TSH, you’ll have access to world-leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. You will work with experienced teachers from both PTSH and UoY. In addition to this you will be allocated a Mentor in each placement school who will work with you and train you on a day-to-day basis.

Teaching format

Participation in the PGCE course is an active process. Although there are lectures and presentations, much of your learning will come from workshops, seminars and school and classroom activities with strategies and techniques for an effective learning environment in your placement classrooms.

Trainees come to the course with a range of qualifications, employment background and interests. Throughout the course you will be encouraged to work collaboratively, sharing your experience, knowledge and technical expertise.

Throughout the course you will be guided by mentors in your placement schools and supported in school and in your PTSH and UoY groups.

Teaching location

Depending on the session, you will either attend your training at The University of York or Pathfinder Teaching School Hub which is based at Archbishop Holgate’s School. We also deliver sessions or visits at a range of schools and settings in and around the area of York.

We take many factors into consideration when allocating placements and will work with you to ensure you can get to your placement safely and easily.

Assessment and feedback

You’ll complete three academic assignments:

• Lesson observation
  You’ll critically evaluate the observations you have undertaken during the serial visits to your first placement school.
• Evaluation of Teaching and Learning
  You’ll evaluate your early teaching by analysing some of the work pupils have produced in the lessons you have planned and delivered.
• In-depth Focus Study
  This is a small-scale study based on a piece of research. This is an opportunity for you to pursue an individual professional interest by investigating a particular aspect of what it means to teach your subject effectively.

The primary aim of the course is to enable you to meet, and ideally exceed, the Teachers’ Standards and be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You will also be awarded a PGCE from the University of York at Masters level.

Entry Requirements

• GCSE grade C or Grade 4 in English Language and mathematics and science, or equivalent. Where applicants have achieved a GCSE grade 4 or above in English literature only, we will look for further evidence of a breadth of achievement in English.
• A 2.2 degree or above.
• Complete a declaration of criminal convictions and health check forms.

If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to a selection event and you should present a passport or photo driving license. You can present other forms of photo ID for the selection event, but if you do, you will still need to present valid identity documents required by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) prior to starting your course.

If English is not your first language, you must have an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all skills or equivalent. For equivalents see our English language entry requirements.

We welcome applications from people seeking a career change into primary teaching. We actively encourage applications from those groups under-represented in teacher education to ensure the teaching profession represents the diverse nature of present-day UK society.

Further information about government requirements for teacher training.

What our Trainees Say

The Pathfinder ITT programme will provide you with a high quality, school centred training programme for the whole year. But don’t just take our word for it. We have been training student teachers for a number of years now. Let them tell you what they think…

Placement Locations

During your course, you will be placed in two contrasting schools, mainly in the City of York, but including schools in North and East Yorkshire if required. We have long-established links with great schools in both Pathfinder Multi Academy Trust and Ebor Academy Trust, as well as other schools across the region that offer a supportive base within which you can learn your craft.

Primary placement locations

Applying

The latest cycle for ITT places begins on Tuesday 3 October 2023, when places will be available to view on the Government’s postgraduate teacher training website: https://www.find-postgraduate-teacher-training.service.gov.uk/start/location

You can then start to apply for places on Tuesday 10 October 2022, when the application process begins and we will be able to accept applications.

Application steps to being onboarded and ready to train to teach

• 1
  Submit your application via DfE Apply.
• 2
  Invited to interview at Clifton with Rawcliffe Primary School (our base school for interviews).
• 3
  Attend interview – Including an overview of our course and placement schools, and an opportunity to meet key colleagues.
• 4
  Offer made by us.
• 5
  Offer accepted by you.
• 6
  Pre-course placement form completed – this is where you can indicate any useful information which will help us place you in the most appropriate schools for both placements.
• 7
  Place pending – checking of references, DBS, health, finance etc.
• 8
  Ready to start ITT.

Primary ITT Course