Why train with us?
Forest Learning Alliance, is the Lead Hub of Primary Initial Teacher Education programmes with the University of Reading. We train with primary and special schools within our local area to provide ITT fee funded and salaried placements across Bracknell Forest, Wokingham and beyond.
We believe that the best place for trainee teachers to learn how to become excellent classroom practitioners is in schools; we offer Initial Teacher Training (ITT) through a variety of routes where trainees spend the majority of their time in a school environment, whilst receiving high quality support and training. The training is delivered by specialists as well as teachers from our alliance schools, listed below.
Our Primary postgraduate teacher training programmes are ideal for recent graduates and those considering a career change. The one-year course blends academic and practical learning through a combination of school placements and University-based sessions.
Our Primary Alliance Members
- Aldergrove Church of England Primary School
- Binfield Church of England Primary School
- College Town Primary School
- Cranbourne Primary School
- Crazies Hill Church of England Primary School
- Crown Wood Primary School
- Crowthorne Church of England Primary School
- Earley St. Peter’s Church of England Primary School
- Fox Hill Primary School
- Grazeley Church of England Primary School
- Jennett’s Park Church of England Primary School
- New Scotland Hill Primary School
- Owlsmoor Primary School
- Polehampton Church of England Infant and Junior School
- Sandy Lane Primary School
- Sonning Church of England Primary School
- St. Cecilia’s Church of England Primary School
- St. Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
- St. Michael’s Church of England Primary School
- St. Nicholas Church of England Primary School
- St. Sebastian’s Church of England Primary School and Nursery
- The Coombes Church of England Primary School
- Uplands Primary School and Nursery
- Warfield Church of England Primary School
- Whitegrove Primary School
- Wooden Hill Primary School and Nursery
Training programme and content
Our Primary Postgraduate Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course has two routes to achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS):
- PGCE with QTS
- QTS only
Both lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and enable you to teach across various ages. Both routes are also taught together and provide you with extensive school-based experience through three placements in Partnership schools and alongside several taught days at the University.
Primary Postgraduate Initial Teacher Education (PG ITE) presentation
The programme is designed to ensure that trainee teachers meet the standards to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and provides them with insights into teaching beyond the Teacher standards.
Developing trainees into effective practitioners who will make a positive contribution to the teaching profession. Trainees will be able to demonstrate appropriate professional attributes, strong subject and pedagogical knowledge, and ability to plan and teach effectively.
Our vision for excellence is ‘transforming lives through education and our courses ensure that trainees become:
- Evidence-informed teachers
- Compassionate professionals
- Responsive and reflective practitioners
- Creative critical curriculum thinkers
- Ethical community participants
Trainee teachers will experience different contexts and key stages within the primary phase alongside opportunities to visit other phases and the special education sector.
Essential information
Below are links giving further information on training to be a teacher:
- Every lesson shapes a life
Funding your training
The Institute of Education at Reading
Information for overseas graduates - Top tips video from University of Reading
- Downloadable ‘Things to consider before you apply’ information from University of Reading
- The National Curriculum – a set of subjects and standards used by primary and secondary schools so children learn the same things.
- The Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Core Content Framework – a framework to support trainee teacher development, designed with an expert advisory group.
- Top-Tip-for-ITE-WEB.pdf
Teaching placements
Trainee teachers spend 70% of their training in their host school with regular school-based training sessions or at University of Reading. The remaining 30% of the programme is a five-week, contrasting second placement in during the spring term.