FAQ's

The Think North East initial teacher training programme is open to both recent graduates and career-changers.

You must have:

- an undergraduate degree in your chosen subject area, 50% of which should be relevant to the subject you will teach. If your degree is from an overseas institution you must apply for a Statement of Comparability from NARIC.

- GCSE Grade 4 (or C) or above (or suitable equivalent) in both English Language and Mathematics.  If your equivalent qualifications are from an overseas institution, you must apply for a Statement of Comparability from NARIC.

If your undergraduate degree is not in the subject you are looking to teach, but you do hold an A-Level in your chosen subject, you may be able to apply for the course subject to successful completion of a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course. These courses are offered in Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Languages, and English. If your chosen subject does not offer a SKE, you must meet the normal subject-specific entry requirements as listed above.

Please see the application page for more details about eligibility.

If you would like to visit one of our partner schools before applying, please contact the school directly. All applicants offered a place to train will also be invited to visit their placement school.

For up to date information about funding options, please visit this Get Into Teaching page.

No, we do not offer salaried placements. However, funding may be available to you. For up to date information about funding options please visit this Get Into Teaching page.

Choose where you want to be based

Your placement school has an immense impact on your experiences with the initial teacher training course and your career thereafter. At Think North East, you can take the matter into your own hands and choose a school that is a perfect fit for you. If you’d like to visit one of our schools before applying, please get in touch.

A perfect mix of practice and theory

Looking to step into the classroom from day one? Or spend time plunging into academic theory?

With the School Direct route, you don’t have to choose between the two. Your postgraduate teacher training will be an ideal combination of theory and putting it into practice in a real school setting.

Laidlaw Teaching & Leadership Centre

You can take advantage of our state-of-the-art Teaching and Leadership Centre at Sedgefield Community College, where you can connect with future school leaders, share best practice and learn collaboratively. The £3.2 million centre opened in September 2021, offering teacher trainees the opportunity to learn in the immersive setting of an Outstanding school.

The Think North East programme is a school-led route into initial teacher training (ITT), delivered through partnership between a lead school, other partner schools, and an accredited teacher training provider. This route enables teacher trainees to apply directly to their preferred placement school, allowing them to become a member of their placement school community from the outset.

Sunderland University Qualification

After completing your training, you will be awarded a highly-regarded Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from Sunderland University - a Top 50 UK University.

Receive First-Class Support

In every teaching placement throughout your training, you will be supported by highly experienced professionals (subject mentors) who will help you hone your teaching practice, rather than by university lecturers who may not be as involved in everyday school life. 

At Think North East, we treat our teacher trainees as equals and active participants of the community. You will form a lasting network of exceptional teaching professionals, connect with families, as well as witness the impact you are creating on children’s lives throughout your training.

Yes, although this varies by subject. Courses close once filled and so we recommend applying early.

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is a legal requirement to teach in all maintained schools in England. A Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) is designed to increase academic knowledge and provides trainees with the flexibility to teach internationally. It combines experience from school placements with studying the theory behind teaching and learning. All Think North East trainees complete a PGCE with the University of Sunderland.

Yes! All of our trainees take part in training provided by the University of Sunderland and receive the benefits of a University of Sunderland student. As such, you will have access to their world-class university resources including online resources, student and library services.

The majority of the year is spent in your main placement school. Some of your training throughout the year will be delivered by the University of Sunderland. Some of the training may take place remotely.

The course takes 10 months to complete, full time.

If your degree doesn’t link closely to your chosen teaching subject, you may still be able to apply for one of our training programmes by completing a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course. For more information about SKE courses, please visit this Get Into Teaching page.

Our team is happy to help you with any questions and help you decide if the Think North East initial teacher training programme is right for you.

Please reach out to us at enquiries@think-northeast.net or contact a specific school.