FAQs

Who is the Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust (DoWAT)?

Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust is the country’s top performing Catholic Multi Academy Trust (MAT) with six secondary schools and five primary schools.

What is Initial Teacher Training?

Initial Teacher Training (ITT) is a fully immersive, school centred training programme that will give you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and allow you to hone your teaching skills in a classroom, right from the beginning.

You’ll spend most of your time in school placements with some time dedicated to theoretical learning. Your training will include a combination of:

  • unobserved and observed teaching
  • taught sessions
  • seminars and workshops
  • tasks and assignments
  • engagement with academic or professional research

The theoretical part of your training will be delivered by St Marys University or in a Diocese of Westminster Academy Trust (DoWAT) placement school. 

You’ll also have a mentor to support you in your school placements and learning who will provide feedback and guidance. 

What will my training course consist of?

During your training, you’ll spend most of your time in school placements, building your confidence, working with experienced teaching and leadership teams, meeting your mentor, and developing your skills. You’ll also have some time dedicated to theoretical learning at the award- winning St Mary’s University.

How long is the course?

The Initial Teacher Training course is 12 months long, including an exciting mix of valuable classroom experience and educational university lectures.

What qualifications will I receive?

You will receive a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) and the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). St Mary’s University offers 60 additional M-Level credits, which can be used towards a Master’s Degree, should you wish to do additional training at a later date. 

How often will I spend in a school placement?

You will receive 120 days of classroom experience. You will have placements at a minimum of two schools. This means that by the end of the year, you will be fully equipped with the skills needed to work in any school. 

The course has a gradual build-up into teaching. You can plan, teach, and share classes with the class teacher as you learn and develop your confidence. This means that when you fully take over teaching, you are well prepared and have an enjoyable, successful experience.

Where might by school placement be?

We offer placements across Hertfordshire and London in any of our DoWAT schools.

  • Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School, Secondary School, Ofsted ‘Good’ 
  • Our Lady Catholic Primary School, Primary School, Ofsted ‘Good’ 
  • St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School, Primary School, Ofsted ‘Good’ 
  • St Claudine’s Catholic School for Girls, Secondary School, Ofsted ‘Good’ 
  • St John’s Catholic Primary School, Primary School, Ofsted ‘Good’ 
  • St Mark’s Catholic School, Secondary School, Ofsted ‘Outstanding’
  • St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Primary School, Ofsted ‘Outstanding’
  • St Michael’s Catholic High School, Secondary School, Ofsted ‘Outstanding’
  • St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Primary School, Ofsted ‘Good’
  • The Douay Martys Secondary School, Secondary School, Ofsted ‘Good’
  • The Saint John Henry Newman School, Secondary School, Ofsted ‘Good’

How long will I spend at St Marys University?

You will spend 40 days at St Marys University.

Am I guaranteed a job after my training?

Upon completing your training, if a teaching position matching your subject area becomes available within our schools, you’re guaranteed an interview for the position.

What are the entry requirements?

You will need an honours degree (2.2 or above). We may consider alternatively well-qualified mature candidates.

You will also need GCSE Grade C/4 in English Language and Mathematics GCSE, or the equivalent.

What is the fee for this course?

The tuition fee for this course is £9,250 payable to St Mary’s University, Twickenham, for 2024–25. Fees for international students will be £16,500.

Is there any financial help available?

You may be eligible for a bursary. Bursaries are grants that do not require repayment and are tax-free. They are meant to assist with your training and are distributed in 10 equal monthly instalments throughout the training. To qualify for a bursary, you must hold a bachelor’s degree with a 2:2 (honours) or higher.

The Department for Education’s (DfE) bursaried subjects for 2024, visit ‘Get into Teaching’ website tab: Funding & Support.

You may also be eligible for a student loan while you study, but you will have to apply for that. You can take out a student loan even if you already have an undergraduate loan. 

Loans for tuition fees are not means tested (whereas loans for maintenance are means tested), but you should confirm all this using the same ‘Funding your training’ tab. 

Where possible, we offer a travel bursary to support trainees travelling to St Mary’s University if it is not their nearest ITT PGCE provider and if they are not already in receipt of any other bursaries. 

Apply for Teacher Training now