Why train with us?

Uplands Primary School and Nursery is the lead school for Forest Learning Alliance, working with Primary and special schools in the local area to provide School Direct fee funded and salaried placements. We work in partnership with the Institute of Education, University of Reading who have an exceptional reputation in teacher training. As an alliance, we provide high quality provision to ensure a well-rounded training programme, with a clear emphasis on mentorship throughout.

Why do we work with the Institute of Education, University of Reading?

The  Guardian University League Table results were released recently (https://www.theguardian.com/education/ng-interactive/2021/sep/11/the-best-uk-universities-2022-rankings)

The Institute of Education is an established provider of high-quality training and research. It is ranked 10th in the UK for Education (The Guardian University League Table 2022) – committed to developing caring, reflective, professional teachers, it has well-established partnerships with over 400 schools in Berkshire and the surrounding area.

Ofsted report that the “effective relationships with partner schools support the development of high-quality teaching, and trainees that are well-prepared to work in the region’s schools.” (ITE inspection report, September 2016).

Working in partnership with the University of Reading

Who are we looking for?

For both salaried and training places we are looking for inspirational people who have a proven track record of effective communication skills, the ability to use their initiative and work under pressure in a demanding environment.

School Direct (salaried) is aimed at graduate career changers who have three or more years’ work experience. This past year (2021-22) successful applicants have proven, at the point of application and at interview, that they have the necessary skills and understanding of the role of the teacher to be able to train as teachers whilst working in a school environment. Please note: Due to a funding change (from 2021-22), trainees are now expected to cover the cost of their tuition fees.

School Direct (fee paying) route is also a school-based route into initial teacher training, but applicants often do not have as much experience of working in schools, leading classes, and taking responsibility for teaching on a regular basis. Harriet’s story – tuition fee funded trainee

Free course

If you are considering a change to a career in teaching then you may be interested in accessing this free course, created by Dr Helen Bilton, Institute of Education, University of Reading. On this course you’ll hear from education experts, school staff and school children who provide insight into how children learn, the learning environment, and communicating in school.

You’ll explore some of the theories underlying people’s behaviour that could impact learning in school, and you’ll reflect on your own experiences in the classroom to help build on your confidence and working practices.

By the end of the course, you’ll be better equipped to improve the support you provide in the education of children

Useful information

Below are links giving further information on training to be a teacher: –

Every lesson shapes a life
Why School Direct?
Steps to becoming a teacher 

Funding your training
The Institute of Education at Reading
Information for overseas graduates

The programme is designed to ensure that School Direct (SD) trainee teachers meet the standards to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and provides them with insights into teaching beyond the Teacher standards.

Across the partnership, the aim is to produce effective practitioners who will make a positive contribution to the teaching profession. By the end of the programme, SD trainees should be able to demonstrate appropriate professional attributes, have a strong subject and pedagogical knowledge, and be able to plan and teach effectively to ensure that all pupils make progress.

Across the programme SD trainees will show that they:

• Have high expectations of all pupils.
• Treat them with appropriate respect, consistency and consideration.
• Demonstrate and promote positive values, attitudes and behaviour.
• Are aware of their professional responsibilities.
• Can work with others to promote the learning and welfare of young people.
• Can adopt a reflective and critical stance towards their own practice, policy initiatives and listen to and act upon advice.
• Have a secure knowledge and understanding of their specialist subject.
• Know the relevant curriculum frameworks within which they teach and be able to apply these effectively.
• Can use assessment to promote learning and develop their teaching.
• Know how to handle classes effectively to maximise learning.
• Know how to take account of the needs of all learners.
• Can plan and teach lessons that engage and interest pupils and allow them to make appropriate progress.
• Take responsibility for their own professional development.
• Can draw upon research evidence and professional practice critically to inform their teaching and to underpin their teaching approach.

Within this partnership SD trainee teachers will gain experience of different contexts and key stages, within the Primary sector. There will be opportunities to visit other phases and the special education sector. Trainee Teachers will work with different age ranges and expert practitioners.

Training is provided in collaboration with The University of Reading and is led by expert practitioners in schools and at the university. All aspects of the programme have been carefully designed to give SD teachers appropriate experiences, to challenge their ideas and prepare them for employment as classroom practitioners.

Teaching placements

All School Direct trainee teachers will spend most of their training in one school with regular training sessions, either at the lead school, Uplands Primary School and Nursery, one of the partner schools or at the University of Reading. The individual placement schools have taken responsibility for deciding individual trainees teaching commitment but the partnership agreement in place ensures that all trainee teachers gain the same range of experience, whatever the school.

In addition to their main placement school all trainee teachers will undertake a second placement in the spring term for five weeks.

All trainee teachers will gain experience across a range of key stages and contexts and this experience will be tailored to meet the needs of individual trainee teachers to ensure that all gain the range of expertise needed to become an effective professional.