Initial teacher education

LETTA Initial Teacher Training

LETTA is an outstanding school centred initial teacher training (SCITT) provider, offering a year-long course leading to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). We work in partnership with over 25 schools. The course includes a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). There is an opportunity to do a SEND enhancement, which includes a placement in a specialist school.

We offer:

An outstanding school-based teacher training programme
A PGCE with 60 masters-level credits
Routes include primary 3-7 and 5-11; secondary maths
SEND enhancement
A wide range of partner schools across East London: primary, secondary, mainstream, specialist

Training sessions are led by a range of expert programme tutors: school practitioners, consultants, authors, and nationally known figures such as Margart Mulholland, Tom Sherrington and Shirley Clarke.

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The selection process

How to apply

Undergraduate degree

In order to be considered for the LETTA programme you must:

be a graduate of a recognised UK higher education institution, with a degree classification of 2:1 or above for salaried or 2:2 or above for unsalaried; or
have a degree or qualification obtained outside the UK, which is accepted by LETTA and the university partner as of an equivalent UK degree honours level
have achieved a standard equivalent to a Grade C/Level 4 or above in GCSE examinations in both English language, mathematics and science
have a A level grade B or above, if applying for the mathematics specialism

Salaried Apprenticeship places are in very high demand. These places are only offered to the very strongest candidates. The minimum requirements to be considered for an apprenticeship route are:

2:1 or above for undergraduate degree
3 years of full-time, consecutive postgraduate employment (non-voluntary)

The decision about whether or not to offer a salaried apprenticeship place is entirely at the discretion of headteachers on the interview panel. Applicants who have applied for this route and are not offered an apprenticeship position at interview may still be offered an alternative route. You do not need to apply twice.

Proficiency in English

You must be able to demonstrate a high proficiency in written and spoken English as part of the selection process.

Fundamental skills in English and maths

All applicants are required to demonstrate fundamental skills in English and maths. This will be assessed by LETTA following a successful interview and is a condition of our offer.

Medical fitness

We apply the Fitness to Teach requirement to all candidates and you must complete a health questionnaire for scrutiny by an authorised body on behalf of LETTA.

If you have a disability or think that you might need adjustments in order to satisfy the fitness to teach requirement, and you would like more information, please contact us.

LETTA is a Disability Confident organisation and Mindful Employer.

Clearance from Disclosure and Barring Service

We have a duty to protect children and vulnerable adults. If you are offered a place on the LETTA programme, you will be asked to apply for an enhanced DBS check as a requirement of entry to the course, along with other statutory safeguarding procedures. This disclosure will contain details of any cautions, convictions, reprimands, warnings or bindovers recorded against your name. It will allow us to make an assessment of your suitability. If you have any queries regarding this process, please contact us.

Information for International and EU applicants

https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/how-to-apply/prepare/eu-nationals

Exam certificates

Applicants will be asked to provide original exam certificates, which we request to view on the day of interview. If an exam certificate is pending, we can sight this at a later date.

If original certificates cannot be located, we’ll ask applicants to obtain copies of them from their exam board. Gov.UK provide advice on how to do this.

Safeguarding

We have a duty to protect children and vulnerable adults. If you are offered a place on the LETTA programme, you will be asked to apply for an enhanced DBS check as a requirement of entry to the course. This disclosure will contain details of any cautions, convictions, reprimands, warnings or bindovers recorded against your name. It will allow us to make an assessment of your suitability. If you have any queries regarding this process, please contact us. We will also require a full timeline of your employment history; references from professional email addresses; and a certificate of good conduct, if you have been abroad for three consecutive months or more.

Inclusion

We are committed to meeting the needs of all of our learners. For that reason we ask you to complete an occupational health assessment to help us understand and make reasonable adjustments. LETTA is a Disability Confident organisation and Mindful Employer.

Funding support

Fees

Unsalaried trainees pay tuition fees of £9,790.

Tuition fee and maintenance loan

You should contact Student Finance England to apply for a tuition fee or maintenance loan.

You may be eligible for financial support. Find out more.

Bursary

Some schools are able to offer a bursary to support with fees and maintenance. This is an arrangement between the school and trainee.

Mentoring

Preparing LETTA mentors

LETTA recognises the crucial role that mentors play during the training year. Mentors are carefully selected and receive comprehensive training in their role.

Mentor meetings

In addition to professional development opportunities, mentors meet regularly with the LETTA team and are kept up-to-date on the programme, and local and national developments.

Lead mentors

Lead mentors are experienced LETTA mentors who oversee a cluster of mentors, in order to support them in their role. Lead mentors play a significant role in the quality assurance and success of the mentor-trainee partnership.

Competency Framework for Mentors

Developed by LETTA mentors and tutors, our competency framework for mentors ensures consistency and quality of mentoring across the programme.

Click here to view the LETTA Competency Framework for Mentors

Ofsted report and testimonials

LETTA appealed to me because of its outstanding reputation, and the excellent reviews given by past trainees. Before applying to the course I had the opportunity to visit one of the LETTA schools and meet several trainees - all of whom not only made me excited about the course but also dispelled any concerns I had. The opportunity to work alongside outstanding teachers in a variety of school settings is incredibly helpful for your training. You pick up amazing tips every single day and see top teachers in action firsthand. LETTA sessions cover a fantastically wide range of topics integral to teaching. Communication is very much two-way, meaning you can feedback to LETTA tutors who will proactively tweak the course to suit your needs!

School Direct with LETTA is absolutely fantastic - I am loving every minute of it. Its fantastic schools, supportive mentors, caring course leaders, best in class academic teaching and pedagogic courses delivered by leading practitioners ensures that trainee teachers have every opportunity to learn and develop into excellent teachers. I am based in a wonderful, creative and caring school with a mentor who has brought out the best in me. I am only in my second half term and I have learnt so much. LETTA sources training which is leading in education and every trainee has their own personalised plan customised to their individual needs. Our course leaders couldn't do more for each of us. They ensure we have access to every opportunity to grow and support us every step of the way with a constructive, collaborative and caring approach. When I talk to the other trainees who have done different routes, I feel extremely confident as I know that School Direct with LETTA is the best way to prepare you for teaching with its excellent balance of theory and practise.

'What a superb job the partnership does in supplying high quality new teachers to schools in that partnership and others in the local area.' 'Trainees spoke about the high levels of support, commitment and care form all those involved.' 'The school-based mentors spoke of how highly they value the partnership' Centre-based training is well thought-out...inspirational and forward-thinking...'punches above its weight' in terms of the high-profile speakers it attracts' 'This has been an overwhelmingly positive and exciting experience with exceptionally high quality trainees (who have all been offered jobs) and mentors. I have no points for consideration this year.'

"It has been a wonderful term. I really appreciate all the effort you have put in, organising a rich and exciting course, supporting us and keeping us informed. The course is just amazing, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it"