If you are thinking about teaching as a career now or in the future, we are happy to arrange a 1:1 phone call to discuss your plans and answer any questions you may have. Please email with your details and we will call you back!
This year we are offering Primary 3-7(2T3X), Primary 5-11 (2J4C) and Secondary courses in Physics (2J4P), Mathematics (2J4X) , English (2J4W) , Chemistry (2J4Q) and Biology (2T42).
Train to Teach with CPTSA
The CPTSA offers a school-led training programme for post graduates, an opportunity to learn "on the job" in a school. You work as part of the teaching team from day one, learning from experienced, practising colleagues and immediately putting your new skills into practice. Your teaching time increases as you gain in experience and knowledge, over the three placements. You are not expected to teach a whole class on day one of your training or are you left on your own in the classroom. Your teaching time increases as your skills do. Starting with small groups and building up to a whole class lesson. We work at your pace and support you throughout this incredible journey.
Why train with us?
CPTSA (Lead Partner) working with South Birmingham SCITT.(Accredited ITT Provider)
... Is the perfect place for someone who doesn't just want a job in teaching, they want a career
...Is a supportive, encouraging environment and the staff will go out of their way to make you a success
...will help find the teacher in you
The Colmore Partnership Training School Alliance is an educational community which is founded on a shared passion and drive to make a positive impact on pupils' life chances and achieve excellence for all. From students to leaders of education, from Early Years to adulthood, from apprentice to master, we are building a community of excellent practice together and effective learning relationships are at the heart of everything we do.
We are proud to be a Lead Partner of South Birmingham SCITT (Accredited ITT provider) and together we provide an innovative, creative and truly school led route into teaching. In partnership we are stronger and bring the best of our experience together. South Birmingham SCITT has over 20 years experience of school led teacher training with a regional and nationally recognised reputation. We work closely together to provide trainee teachers with the opportunities they need to become creative and inspirational leaders of learning who will motivate and engage all learners.
Our Partnership aims to produce highly skilled graduate Trainee Teachers who have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of teaching and learning, which will enable them to demonstrate the highest levels of professional practice.
Our programme will prepare trainee teachers to address the needs of all learners and their communities, to overcome disadvantage and barriers to learning and to continually reflect upon the impact of their professional practice.
Our staff across the partnership have a proven track record in training and professional development. CPTSA in partnership with The South Birmingham SCITT offer:
- School Led Initial Teacher Training - Primary and Secondary Teacher Training
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Post Graduate Certificate in Education qualification (PGCE) MA level 7 x 60 masters credits
- Learn from real teachers in real classrooms
- 100% employment rates
- Bespoke programme offering high levels of support to enable you to reach your full potential
- 1 day in training, 3 to 4 days in placement from September
- Highly skilled practitioners to ensure high quality learning for the trainee
Professional Studies
A core part of your training will be undertaken within the Training School and at the SCITT. This will be held at our Training School (Colmore) or Solihull Sixth Form Centre. Training runs throughout the academic year and is made up of innovative training designed and delivered by a team of highly qualified teachers/education specialists. These are current practitioners who bring to your training a wealth of knowledge, experience and up to date practice and subject knowledge. The training covers up to date and relevant topics such as Assessment, working in a new key stage, transition and inclusion and other areas such as personal impact in the class room, employability training through mock interviews and how to write an outstanding application form.
Placements
We offer three school placements during your training year (Autumn/Spring and Summer), which will be in one of our Alliance schools. We want you to learn from the best and be inspired by outstanding practice. We always consider your personal circumstances when allocating a school. We will work out the best route for you and ensure that you do not have to travel for more than an hour (max). Your first placement (School A) starts in September until Christmas. January to Easter (school B) will be in a contrasting school setting and in a new key stage. Your final school placement (School C) will again cover a new key stage.
Each placement will be supported by an experienced daily trainer within school. At the CPTSA in partnership with South Birmingham SCITT, we train all the daily trainers and lead trainers to ensure that they are able to offer support and professional guidance. You will each have an individual training plan which is tailored to your needs based on your entry point onto the training year. Your teaching practice will increase as the year progresses. The time teaching builds from small intervention groups to whole class teaching. As a guideline, by the end of your first placement you will be teaching for 50% of the time. this will increase to 60% by the end of your second term and 80% by the end of your final placement.
Schools we have partnered with include the following:
Colmore Junior School - https://www.colmorej.co.uk/
Colmore Infant School - https://colmoreinf-birm.frogos.net/
Hall Green Infant School - https://www.hallgreeninfant.co.uk/
Moseley Primary School - https://www.moseleyce.bham.sch.uk/
West Heath Primary School - https://www.westheathprimary.bham.sch.uk/
Lyndon Green Infant School - https://www.lyndongi.bham.sch.uk/
Our Lady's Catholic Primary School -https://www.ourladys.bham.sch.uk/
Highter's Heath Nursery - https://www.hightersheathnursery.org.uk/
Arden Primary School- https://www.arden.bham.sch.uk/
Rookery School - https://www.rookeryschool.co.uk/
Entry Requirements
Academic Entry Requirements
General Primary and Early Years Route: GCSE English, Maths and Science - Grade C/4 or above or their equivalent
Secondary: GCSE English and Maths - Grade C/4 or above or their equivalent
You can still apply if you do not have the GCSEs. You would need to pass the GSCE/equivalency before the start of the course in September 2025 This would form part of your conditional offer. For further information on equivalency testing please visit https://www.equivalencytesting.com/
Studied overseas? You can get a statement from UK ENIC (the UK agency that recognises international qualifications and skills) that shows how your qualifications compare to UK qualifications.
Preferred Degree Classification
We consider all applications individually. A degree in a relevant subject, from a recognised UK higher education institution, or an equivalent.
For Secondary routes - at least 50% of which is in the subject that you intend to teach. There can be a wide range of degrees that are relevant to teaching specialist subjects at secondary level that will be acceptable.
Skills Tests
You will complete baseline testing in numeracy and literacy at various points during the course. Full support will be given
School Experience - We offer School Experience mornings at Colmore, click here for more information https://www.cptsa.co.uk/train-to-teach/school-experience-placements
Disclosure and Barring Service
A condition of your offer will be the successful completion of all Safeguarding procedures.
Fitness to Teach
A condition of your offer will be the successful completion of an Occupational Health Check to satisfy the requirements for Fitness to Teach. We endeavour to meet the needs of trainees with disabilities and you are welcome to discuss any needs or disabilities with us at any time during the application process.
Accreditation for successful completion of the programme
All our Initial Teacher Training courses last one academic year starting in early September to July. On successful completion of the course, you will have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education with 80 Level 7 Masters credits. This will work towards a Masters in Teaching and Learning (this is more than a PGCertEd)
It doesn't end there.....
We also offer support in helping you secure your first job, offering mock interviews and support with job search and applications!
Current Vacancies
Please apply for any of our courses through the new portal https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training
Applications will be accepted from October 8th 2024.
The CPTSA provider code is 19Q for all age ranges and subjects
Course Codes:
- Primary Early Years (age range 3-7): 2T3X
- General Primary (age range 5- 11): 2J4C
Secondary subjects:
- Physics 2J4P
- English: 2J4W
- Maths: 2J4X
- Chemistry : 2J4Q
- Biology : 2T42
All secondary courses will have placements in our network of schools
Assessment
Trainee Teachers become reflective practitioners with personalised targets to move their practice forwards. Weekly reflections and termly reviews are underpinned with theory and practice.
Fees and Funding
The fees for 2025/26 are £9250. These fees are invoiced at 3 points over the year .Some courses are eligible for a student loan/bursary. Subject dependent training bursaries may be available.
https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/bursaries-and-scholarships-for-teacher-training
There's extra financial support available if you're a parent, have an adult dependant or a disability. The support listed here doesn't have to be paid back. Click on the link below for further information:
https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/extra-financial-support
Key Information
More details about our Alliance can be found on our website www.cptsa.co.uk or www.southbirminghamscitt.org.uk
Please apply for any of our courses through the new portal https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training
DfE Get Into Teaching: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options/school-based-training/school-direct.aspx
More Information about Teacher Training: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options/school-based-training/school-direct.aspx
Equivalency Testing - Recognised equivalency tests that will give a grade equivalent to GCSE grades - https://www.equivalencytesting.com/
Funding and bursary information: Initial Teacher Training academic year 2024/25 - click here for ITT Funding and Bursary information
The UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills - https://www.enic.org.uk/