We offer:
- An outstanding teacher training programme
- An opportunity to learn ‘on the job’ for the whole year of the course
- An extended support network of experienced teachers and mentors
- The opportunity to gain a PGCE with 60 Masters credits
- Personalised learning
Recruitment
The selection process
How to apply
Applications for places will be managed through UCAS.
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
- 2:1 or above for undergraduate degree
- 3 years of full-time, consecutive postgraduate employment (non-voluntary)
You must be able to demonstrate a high proficiency in written and spoken English as part of the selection process.
Applicants to ITT courses commencing after April 2020 are no longer required to undertake Professional Skills Tests.
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.
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.
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.
Applicants will be asked to provide original exam certificates. Applicants should bring these with them 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. UCAS and Gov.UK provide advice on how to do this.
Funding support
Unsalaried trainees pay tuition fees of £9,535.
Unsalaried UK and EU trainees will be eligible for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of these fees.
To cover your living costs, unsalaried trainees from England can apply for a maintenance loan.
You should contact Student Finance England to apply for a tuition fee or maintenance loan.
Trainees on a salaried route will receive a salary at Unqualified Teacher Scale 1.
LETTA offers an internal bursary scheme for unsalaried trainees. This may be offered to applicants following a successful interview. Payment of an internal bursary is at the discretion of individual schools.
Mentoring
Preparing LETTA mentors
LETTA recognises the crucial role that mentors play during the training year. All mentors apply to LETTA before undertaking the role. Following successful recruitment, all mentors must attend seven days of professional development for induction in to this role. Mentors are also expected to attend continuing professional development throughout the training year, and this is offered to them at no additional cost to the school.
Training for mentors
Successful Classroom Observation led by Penny Holden
This programme supports mentors to be consistent in their evaluation of teaching and learning standards. It supports the development of a strong evidence base to support self-evaluation and provide opportunities to consider ways of enhancing pedagogy. Developed by experienced inspectors, this certificated five-unit programme includes three tutor-led days combined with distance learning and an assessed lesson observation.
NASBTT Level 2 Teacher Education Programme: Advanced Mentoring and Coaching led by Jo Franklin
This accredited programme supports mentors to develop skills in coaching and mentoring. It covers the following modules:
• An introduction to transactional analysis
• Remaining neutral
• Re-scripting feedback
• Managing poor performance
• Holding difficult conversations
• Workplace coaching
Skill building modules led by Margaret Allen
These modules are led by an is an experienced coach, business facilitator and development practitioner. Modules include:
- Mentoring skills
- Listening for meaning
- Organisation & planning
- Coaching skills
- Building relationships
- Effective communication
Mentoring for Behaviour Leadership led by Dr. Bill Rogers
This course addresses the benefits, challenges and practicalities of mentoring and coaching directly at the classroom level for behaviour leadership. The mentor/coaching approach explored in this seminar will address how to utilise in-classroom mentoring to enable a teacher’s self-awareness and reflection regarding their characteristic behaviour leadership, behaviour management and discipline practice.
Overcoming Barriers to Challenging Conversations led by Actorshop
Actorshop is a BAFTA award-winning acting service with nearly 40 years of
experience creating developmental programmes in education. Mentors hone their skills to confront tough issues with confidence and sensitivity, build strong relationships with their trainees and initiate meaningful change. This interactive course is designed for anyone with mentoring or line management responsibility.
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 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.
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
Central training
Our central training offer draws on local, national and international expertise.
Trainees gain a PGCE qualification and Qualified Teacher Status. The PGCE can contribute to a third of a Masters degree, should trainees wish to continue with professional development during their career.
On the LETTA weekly programme, trainees benefit from innovative sessions which are informed by research and theory and linked to classroom practice and the Teachers’ Standards.
Facilitators that lead central training include Dr Bill Rogers, Professor Barry Hymer, Sir John Jones, Jenny Mosley, Shirley Clarke and Pie Corbett.