We are the lead partner for our accredited provider, The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) who offer SCITT (School Centred Initial Training). RBWM are a local authority SCITT and work in close partnership with over 40 schools across the borough. This gives trainees the opportunity to train in a wide variety of settings including nursery, infant, junior, primary and secondary schools, as well as first, middle and upper schools.

The nature of RBWM being a small local authority enables strong networking across schools, clear understanding of local needs and access to a wide range of high-quality trainers. In addition, RBWM SCITT works in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University and offer all trainees the opportunity to gain QTS and a PGCE worth 60 masters credits.

RBWM SCITT offers fee-funded Postgraduate Primary and Secondary PGCE with QTS; a salaried Primary Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship Programme; and a Postgraduate Salaried PGCE/QTS Training Programme.

How do the PGCE/QTS Programmes work at Primary and Secondary?

The Training Programme consists of two modules: Teachers as Researchers and Reflective Practitioners. Trainees divide their time between school placements and central training.

Trainees are based in a lead school for four days a week for five terms. There is also an eight week second school placement in a contrasting environment. Trainees can teach up to 80% of a timetable. However, schools will ensure support and mentorship is clearly in place to help build up to this.

Central training takes place once a week in school training rooms throughout the Alliance. This training is carried out by local authority and SCITT advisers, headteachers, leading practitioners and Bucks New University lecturers. Training covers subject knowledge and generic elements of teaching such as behaviour management, inclusion and assessments.

How does the Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship work?

A salaried training route for applicants who have considerable school experience (for example, higher level teaching assistant or at least three years of work experience as a teaching assistant) and who have a school prepared to employ them for the duration of the course.

• Leads to qualified teacher status (QTS) and the award of the teacher apprenticeship (no PGCE)
• 13-month salaried training route (usually around 4 school terms)
• Training costs are paid through the apprenticeship levy fund.
• Normally 3 days teaching / 2 days non-teaching per week (for SCITT Central training etc)                   Additional non-teaching time will be needed to undertake professional development activities.
• 6-week placement in a contrasting setting and key stage in spring term.
• In each placement, the trainee is supported by a suitable school-based mentor, trained by the training provider.