School Direct Teacher Training

SCHOOL DIRECT Teacher Training

As part of the Advanced Learning Partnership, working in conjunction with a number of local schools, Watford Grammar School for Boys offers the School Direct route into teacher training.

Ever thought about Teaching?
Are you: Passionate about your subject?
Seeking a rewarding career?
Qualified to degree level? (Degree needs to be in a relevant subject, 2:2 or above)
Looking for a new challenge?

Advanced Learning Partnership: Watford Grammar School for Girls | Watford Grammar School for Boys | Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet | Dame Alice Owen's School | Hertswood Academy | Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School | Mount Grace School

We are seeking to appoint well-qualified applicants to train as teachers through the School Direct route (salaried (non PGCE) or unsalaried (PGCE)) for the academic year 2023-24.

Places are offered in a range of subjects but we are particularly interested in: Mathematics, Physics, English and Computer Science. Working in partnership with the University of Hertfordshire, we are a wonderful place to train, work and learn and we offer a high quality and comprehensive training programme. Watford Grammar School for Boys has a proven track record in providing a stimulating and supportive environment for teacher training and we are passionate about the training and development of new staff; we believe that it takes a whole school to train a teacher and nurture their development.

Successful applicants will spend most of the week in school, with at least one day each week at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield.

Applicants are required to have an honours degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject to the one they wish to teach, awarded by a UK university or an overseas award recognised as equivalent by UK ENIC. The degree must have a minimum 50% content of the subject in which you are applying. GCSE (or IGCSE) English language and mathematics at grade 4 or above (grade C or above under the previous grading structure and at ‘O’ Level) are also pre-requisites for the training. NB Equivalency tests in lieu of GCSE maths and English language will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

For the salaried route, 3 year career experience is preferred. Generous bursaries or scholarships are available in shortage subjects via the PGCE route. More information about the different routes can be provided on request.

The initial application can be made to Watford Grammar School for Girls as the Lead School, or to Watford Grammar School for Boys directly. Application is made through Department for Education from October 2022. Early expressions of interest can also be made directly to schools in the consortium. For any further information and an application form to apply to Watford Grammar School for Boys, please contact Catherine Netscher, Professional Mentor for School Direct in the first instance:

Watford Boys School Direct coordinator: Catherine Netscher:

Email to:

The following links may also be useful:

For more information about the School Direct programme, the applications process and funding.

Department for Education

Lead School coordinator: Jane Hart Watford Grammar School for Girls:

Working in partnership with Hertfordshire University School of Education

University of Hertfordshire Schools Direct Partnership

University of Hertfordshire

Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 9AB

Website: herts.ac.uk

All schools and Hertfordshire University are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure Barring Service.

Courses for the 2023 to 2024 academic year will be published on Find postgraduate teacher training on 4 October 2022, on https://www.gov.uk/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses.

The URL for Apply for teacher training is: https://gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training

Get ready to apply:

  • Candidates can find courses on Find postgraduate teacher training courses from 4th October 2022 at 9am
  • Candidates can submit an application on Apply for teacher training from 11th  October 2022 at 9am
  • Closing date for applications 26th June 2023.
  • We reserve the right to close courses before this date once we have reached capacity.
  • Early application is advised, especially in PE.
  • We would always prefer an initial expression of interest and conversation prior to application through Department of Education Apply’.