Applications for September 2021 are now closed.

We anticipate that applications for September 2022 will open mid-late October 2021.

School Direct at English Martyrs

English Martyrs is part of a well-established cluster of schools which offers School Direct training places in Reading and the surrounding areas. We are now the lead school for this group.

Applications are made through UCAS.

Search for "School Direct Reading Area" - our organisation code is 4F9.

The course codes are:

  • H811  - Salaried Qualified Teacher Status 
  • H788 - Salaried QTS + PGCE 
  • H799 - Non-salaried QTS
  • H822 - Non-salaried QTS + PGCE

What is School Direct?

School Direct is a way for graduates to train to become teachers while working in schools. It is one year full time programme and we work closely with the University of Reading and other local School Direct Clusters to ensure that trainees have a high-quality preparation for their teaching career.

What qualification will I get at the end?

All School Direct courses lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). You can also opt to do additional modules which will lead to the award of the Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). It is important to choose the correct course code when completing your UCAS application.

Salaried or non-salaried?

Salaried trainees are employed by their host school until the end of the academic year. They are paid on the Unqualified Teacher Scale. You should have at least 3 years work experience to be eligible for this route.

Non-salaried trainees pay tuition fees. You may be eligible for student loans/bursaries.

Where will I be based?

There are 10 schools within our cluster. There is a range of urban and rural schools, faith schools, community schools and academies. You will be based at one of them as your main school, but one of your placements will be at a different school, to help you broaden your experience.

Our placement schools in 2020-21 include English Martyrs Catholic Primary, Christ the King Catholic Primary (which has a specialist ASD resource unit onsite), Manor Primary, Katesgrove & Southcote Primary schools and Meadow Park Academy in Reading, as well as St Amand's Catholic Primary in Wantage.

In previous years we have had trainees based at Battle Academy, St Michael's Primary, The Avenue Special School, and New Christchurch Primary in Reading as well as St Joseph's Catholic Primary in Newbury.