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Train to Teach at TGS

Tonbridge Grammar School is a leading institution for Initial Teacher Training offering the school-based employment programme - School Direct.  

We also provide the opportunity for those interested in applying for a School Direct place to gain in-school experience via the School Experience Programme.  

School Experience Programme

School experience is essential if you are interested in becoming a teacher. Before you apply for teacher training, you'll need to gain as much experience in the classroom as possible in order to strengthen your application and prepare you for potential interviews. The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) runs the School Experience Programme, which offers prospective trainee teachers the chance to see what it’s like to be a teacher. Once you've registered with the NCTL, you can participate in the programme. 

The School Experience Programme is organised through the government portal.

This document provides more information about the programme and details of how to apply. 

Apply for our School Direct Training Programme

Our School Direct trainees follow a tried and trusted bespoke training programme leading to either a QTS or QTS with PGCE to start in September 2022. Our Training Provider is Kent and Medway Training (KMT) and the PGCE is validated by them and Leeds Beckett University. You will start your training at TGS as your main placement school followed by a second shorter placement at a contrasting school in the local area. KMT arrange this second placement for you. We offer the non-salaried route into teaching for the following subjects: 

  • Biology 
  • Chemistry  
  • Computing  
  • Mathematics  
  • English  
  • PE  
  • Music 
  • Geography 
  • Religious Studies and Philosophy 
  • Psychology 
  • Economics 
  • Spanish 
  • French 

All subject to availability. 

All applications must be made via the UCAS website please, not to us as an individual school:  www.ucas.com/teacher-training 

Further help with applying 

The Confederation for the Education of South East Teachers (CESET) is a joint venture between six initial teacher training providers, who are working together to promote teaching in the region. Their website contains a wealth of information.

On the CESET website, prospective teachers can search for a CESET school in which to gain experience and download a resource pack to support their visit. They can also view details about the application process in their interactive journey map and hear from current student teachers in a range of videos. A unique feature of the site is the filtering tool, which enables potential teachers to easily search for training courses which could be available to them across the region, filtering by a range of options including location and part-time study. 

Funding 

Bursaries 

There are bursaries of up to £26,000 for trainees with a 2:2 or higher in the highest priority subjects:  

  • Physics 
  • Languages  
  • Chemistry  
  • Biology 
  • Computing 
  • Mathematics 
  • Classics  

Scholarships

Scholarships are available in shortage subjects for trainees who are starting their training in the 2022/23 academic year. These prestigious awards are aimed at high-quality graduates with a 2:1 or first-class degree, who are passionate about their subject and have the potential to be inspirational. We are continuing to offer prestigious scholarship schemes in six subjects for 2022 to 2023; Physics, Maths, Chemistry, and Computing. 

Read the latest information on the current ITT bursary and scholarships available. 

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