School Direct
Over 500 partner schools for you to train with
We've built effective partnerships with over 500 schools in the West Midlands region so far.
- Placements
- Teacher training
- Professional development
- School improvement
Ofsted Outstanding
"Trainees receive high-quality training ... tailored effectively to take good account of individual needs"
"The strong partnership reflects the provider’s aim of creating a fully collaborative approach between the university and schools at both operational and strategic levels.”
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School Direct Lead Schools and Alliances
You can see a map of our School Direct partnerships below. These are the School Direct Lead Schools who each head an alliance of placement schools in the area. If you are applying for a School Direct place, you'll be placed in the lead school and/or one of their alliance schools.
For the Secondary School Direct Programme Trainees will teach within 11-16 age range
What is School Direct?
The Department for EducationLink opens in a new window created this short video to explain the School Direct process:
Further details of our School Direct partners:
Arden AllianceLink opens in a new window 
DfE Apply Listing: Arden Alliance, Station Road, Knowle, Solihull, West Midlands, B93 0PT (2BU)
Primary (General)
Secondary - Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education, Physics
Based predominantly in and around Solihull, the 3 main aims of Arden Alliance are:
- To offer bespoke PRIMARY & SECONDARY teacher training, and outstanding one-to-one support from experienced subject mentors
- To equip trainees with excellent pedagogic skills which in turn will enable trainees to become confident teachers - to be the best, it is important to learn from outstanding practitioners
- To continue supporting and mentoring early career teachers, further embedding an understanding of their subject, their students and the importance of developing the right attitude towards teaching
Transforming Lives Educational Trust Link opens in a new window(Ashlawn School) (Rugby)
DfE Apply Listing: Transforming Lives Educational Trust Initial Teacher Training (TLET ITT) Ashlawn School, Ashlawn Road, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV22 5ET (1XO)
Primary (General)
Secondary - Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education
Transforming Lives Educational Trust is based at Ashlawn School at Rugby but our established partnership of partner schools covers Coventry, Warwickshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. We can assist you with your whole pathway for enquiry to becoming a qualified teacher, Each year we train a large cohort of School Direct trainees who are mostly graded 'Good' or 'Outstanding' and are often employed within our partnership during their training year. Our team and mentors work tirelessly to support you through your training and early career years.
Bishop Challoner Training School Alliance (BCTSA
)
DfE Apply Listing: Bishop Challoner Catholic College, Institute Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 7EG (1K2)
Primary (General)
Secondary: Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages (French, German, Spanish), Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education
Bishop Challoner Training School Alliance consists of over 60 schools, including 30 primaries, mainly located across the Birmingham area with some schools situated in the surrounding areas of Solihull, Dudley, Walsall and Worcestershire.
Being a large alliance, with a long and proven track record of training teachers, we can offer a large number of subjects and primary places all through the School Direct PGCE route. Every year we have large numbers of trainees who successfully pass the programme with Good or Outstanding grades. Having a large Alliance also means that the majority of trainees are employed in Alliance schools after completing their training year.
There are experienced mentors in Alliance schools who will support you. They undertake training for their role every year with the University and with BCTSA. We have an ITT Support Team, which consists of experienced mentors from Alliance Schools who visit schools/trainees at least 3 times a year. This is in addition to the support provided by the University of Warwick.
To teach within our Alliance means that you will have a unique opportunity of an individualised leadership development programme throughout your career, from trainee to senior leadership and beyond.
Castle Phoenix Trust (Caludon Castle School)Link opens in a new window 
DfE Apply Listing: Caludon Castle School, Axholme Road, Wyken, Coventry, CV2 5BD (179)
Primary (General)
Secondary - Art and Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education
The Castle Phoenix Alliance is a high-quality educational provider in the City of Coventry. Our Alliance consists of six Primary and Secondary schools and a second multi-academy trust. At the heart of The Castle Phoenix Alliance is our desire to provide students with the best possible start in life through a first-rate education. These are clearly shown in our Six Ambitions: Reading, Oracy, Creative Learning, Impactful Teaching, Achievement and Aspirations. We are an extremely welcoming Alliance, recognising and appreciating the skills that trainee teachers bring to our schools and these ambitions.
Applying for a School Direct place through us will guarantee an exceptional teacher training experience. The Castle Phoenix Alliance is a strong alliance with an excellent record of teacher training: each year we train around 30 teachers, through both the PGCE and School Direct routes, with trainees achieving at least a ‘good’ grade by the end of their training year, with the majority being graded as outstanding. We encourage all of our trainee teachers to become full and active members of our alliance community by taking part in student extra-curricular activities, contributing to faculty meetings and opportunities open to staff. Schools within our Alliance promote workplace well-being, work with colleagues to offer suitable career opportunities and specialise in developing leaders at all stages of their career in our drive to ensure colleagues enjoy job satisfaction. We endeavour to make our schools happy places for both our staff and children.
We are keen to recruit like-minded individuals who feel passionate about helping young people achieve their potential and wish to work in a supportive and vibrant environment, we look forward to receiving your application.
Creative Education Trust - Ash Green School, Ash Green Lane, Coventry, West Midlands, CV7 9AH
Secondary - Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages (French & Spanish), Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education
Find out more about Creative Education Trust by watching their short video
Creative Education Trust is a network of 17 schools educating 13,500 children and young people. We are committed to providing excellent educational opportunities for children of all abilities and to building cultural capital through a wide range of co-curricular activities. Curricular innovation through our Knowledge Connected programmes promotes creative, integrated and pro-active thinking so that our students are equipped for the challenges of the 21st century. This thinking is evident across our ITT model and we ensure that all staff are supported, developed and nurtured. Creative Education Trust is committed to furthering your career and ensuring you have the best opportunities to grow and learn surrounded by supportive and experienced colleagues.
DfE Apply Listing: Dorridge Primary School, Station Road, Dorridge, Solihull, West Midlands, B93 8EU
Primary (General)
We are offering School Direct Train to Teach courses designed by a network of like-minded schools in partnership with Warwick University, an Ofsted outstanding ITT provider. Our alliance of schools recruits you as a trainee with a job in mind just for you. This is a popular route into teaching for those who hope to secure a role in the network of schools where they train. To complement the university led training, the Dorridge Alliance will provide a bespoke series of CPD sessions over the year designed to ensure you are NQT ready for September. These sessions will be led by outstanding practitioners and lead professionals from our alliance schools. We will guide and support you through the course, with each school providing an in house mentor as well as your university mentor. Our Lead Professional Mentor and Quality Assurance Leads will work alongside each of our schools to ensure you become the very best teacher you can be.
Gateway Alliance (Midlands) - Gateway Alliance
* NOT RECRUITING FOR 23/24 *
DfE Apply Listing: Gateway Alliance (Midlands), c/o Claverdon Primary School, Breach Lane, Claverdon, Warwick, CV35 8QA (23E)
Primary (General and SEN)
The Gateway Alliance has been leading a School Direct partnership since it launched in 2011/12 and before that our partner schools have supported more traditional routes of initial teacher training for many years. Over this time we have developed a wealth of knowledge and expertise in supporting trainees to develop into highly successful teachers. Our partnership is made up of schools from across the Warwickshire and Coventry areas, currently led by Claverdon Primary School, and comprises a number of primary and special schools who represent a mixture of large and small, urban and rural, faith, independent, academy and maintained schools. Through our strong partnership links and access to specialist support and expertise the trainees who train with Gateway will have access to the best support available.
Harrington Nursery School, Derby
* NOT RECRUITING FOR 23/24 *
DfE Apply Listing: Harrington Nursery School, Harrington Street, Derby, Derbyshire, DE23 8PE (268)
Primary (General)
The Harrington Nursery School Alliance is a partnership of schools from across Derby City and beyond. By working together with a shared vision to make a significant impact upon Early Years and Primary teaching and learning, Harrington offers professional development for all school members, initial teaching training through the Schools Direct Programme, support with talent and succession planning, commissions projects of school to school support and much more.
Higham Lane School Partnership
DfE Apply Listing: Higham Lane School Partnership, Higham Lane School, Shanklin Drive, Nuneaton, CV10 0BJ
Secondary - Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History, Maths, Modern Languages, Music, PE, Physics, RE
Higham Lane School Partnership comprises 11 partner schools across both primary and secondary phases. We offer both School Direct training and salaried programmes in collaboration with The University of Warwick. Our Lead School is Higham Lane School, amongst the top 100 performing, non-selective state funded schools in England. We are a close partnership both in terms of location and our approach to the training provision. Our partnership has an expert and experienced team of mentors to support trainees and provide an excellent in-school experience in a range of contexts.
All our schools are happy, caring and purposeful environments. Mutual respect and very clear expectations regarding effort, progress and behaviour are key to our success. Students get on exceptionally well with each other and with the staff. Achievement in all forms: artistic, academic, social, cultural, sporting and intellectual are equally valued.
Our partnership is more than just a place to work - it is a thriving community, proud of its past and confident in its future.
Secondary subjects include English, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, geography, history, physical education, modern foreign languages, music and religious education.
If you are passionate about teaching, ambitious, reflective and with excellent communication skills and a desire to positively influence and transform young people’s lives, we look forward to receiving your application for one of our programmes.
The Kenilworth PartnershipLink opens in a new window
* NOT RECRUITING FOR 23/24 *
DfE Apply Listing: The Kenilworth Partnership, Leyes Lane, Kenilworth, CV8 2DA (241)
Primary (General)
Secondary - Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry, Languages, Geography, History, Art, RE, Computer Science, PE, Music, Drama
Kenilworth School & Sixth Form is an outstanding school (Ofsted 2013) that has recently achieved World Class status and is lead school in the Kenilworth Partnership. Applying for a School Direct place through us will give you a high quality teacher training experience, either at Kenilworth School or at one of our other six partner schools. We work closely with our partner schools to offer rich and varied experiences to trainees looking to develop their skills in a variety of contexts. This enables us to provide a rigorous and challenging programme, bespoke to the needs of the individual and inspires each trainee to strive for excellence in their teaching practise.
Coventry & Warwickshire Teaching School (Lawrence Sheriff)
DfE Apply Listing: Lawrence Sheriff School, Clifton Road, Rugby, CV21 3AG
Primary (General)
Secondary - Biology, Chemistry, English, Geography, History, Maths, Modern Languages (French), PE, Physics
Lawrence Sheriff School is a lead school for School Direct. Based in Rugby, we work in partnership with a range of schools in the Warwickshire and Coventry area.
We have been involved with the School Direct training programme for several years and we have successfully placed trainees throughout the area, with many former trainees in full-time employment within the partnership.
The Lion Alliance, Coventry and WarwickshireLink opens in a new window 
DfE Apply Listing: Finham Park School, Green Lane, Coventry, CV3 6EA (1K1)
Primary (General)
Secondary: Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History,
Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Physical Education, Physics and Religious Education
Find out more about The Lion Alliance by watching their short video
The Lion Alliance is committed to providing excellent training for teachers at every stage of their career from Initial Teacher Training through to developing school leaders. Our priority is to develop and support you to become the most effective practitioner you can be.
Training with us gives you access to a wide range of highly experienced professionals, all at different stages of their career, who will help in your journey to qualify and enter the teaching profession.
Our Alliance consists of several primary and secondary schools (in both the Independent and State Sector) located across Coventry and Warwickshire (including Rugby and Kenilworth), meaning that we are able to offer you the opportunity to develop your practice and classroom craft in different schools, in different key phases, in different settings.
We offer exceptional support to all of our trainee teachers. Once qualified, training and support doesn’t stop there; we believe in the importance of Continuing Professional Development and use the expertise of colleagues within The Lion Alliance and strategic partners to deliver a range of CPD courses, career stage professional development, as well as bespoke training and CPD.
Community Academies Trust (The Polesworth School) (CAT Institute of Education)Link opens in a new window
DfE Apply Listing: The Polesworth School, Dordon Road, Polesworth, Tamworth, B78 1QT (17B)
Primary (General)
Secondary - Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Physics, Religious Education
The Polesworth School is the Lead School in this fast developing partnership. We offer School Direct Trainee Teachers opportunities to train within a thriving network of secondary and primary schools spread across Tamworth and North Warwickshire, offering opportunities in a variety of contexts. Rated as “outstanding”, The Polesworth school also offers Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses in all eligible subjects. Polesworth also has its own Sixth Form, so can offer experience at all Key Stages. We are delighted to continue working with The University of Warwick offering School Direct training and salaried opportunities. We believe in Training Teachers and Developing People. Starting your professional journey with The CAT Teaching School ensures you are in an excellent position to develop your professional self.
DfE Apply Listing: Futures Teaching Alliance, President Kennedy School, Rookery Lane, Coventry CV6 4GL
Primary (General)
Secondary: Art and Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History, Maths, Modern Languages, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education
Futures Teaching Alliance is committed to recruiting and training enthusiastic individuals who are passionate about becoming outstanding teachers. Our Initial Teacher Training provision was identified as ‘Outstanding’ by Warwick University in 2017 and our ITT Director, Aidan Jenkins, has been awarded an Honorary Fellowship within the Centre for Teacher Education at Warwick in recognition of his partnership work over a number of years. During your training you will have specialist help from our Professional and Subject Mentors and develop your practical skills in the classroom, whilst gaining a theoretical understanding of the education profession and the process of learning. Futures Teaching Alliance seeks to 'Build Brighter Futures Together'. Our values are based on the core principles of 'Students First; No Barriers; It's About Learning'. In order to further your career, we support our staff with subject, pastoral and leadership training.
Academies Enterprise Trust: West Midlands
* NOT RECRUITING FOR 23/24 *
Primary (General)
Secondary - Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education
Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) is the largest academy trust in the country with a national network of over 60 academies across England. In joining the Trust in your training year you will have the opportunity to make a transformational impact in communities you work within. Whatever your area of expertise, if you have the right skills and outlook, AET is an excellent place to develop your career. To make your next move a career-defining opportunity choose to train with us.
We are committed to supporting trainees with disabilities and other needs, so please let us and the accrediting provider know if you would like us to make any adjustments to support you during the application, interview process and throughout your programme. We are looking for inspiring, knowledgeable and ambitious trainee teachers who are passionate and enthusiastic about their school phase and/or subject specialism and have a desire to share this and make a real difference to young people's lives and futures.
Sherbourne Fields School, Coventry - Coventry Special School Network
* NOT RECRUITING FOR 23/24 *
DfE Apply Listing: Sherbourne Fields School, Rowington Close,Coventry, CV6 1PR (1CM)
Primary (SEN)
Secondary - Biology
Sherbourne Fields is an all age special school for pupils with a broad spectrum of need including physical disabilities, medical conditions and learning needs. The school's population is wide-ranging and diverse, with pupils from a rich mix of social and cultural backgrounds. The school caters for pupils between the ages of 2 and 19 and serves the whole of Coventry. We also offer some places to neighbouring local authorities. We believe that learning should be enjoyable and that the development of the students is best served where they are actively engaged in and motivated by their work. We are delighted that once again we have been recognised as an Outstanding school. Teaching takes place in a variety of ways, with students taking part in one to one work, small group sessions and whole class activities to 'Raise Aspirations, Access and Achievement'.
* NOT RECRUITING FOR 23/24 *
DfE Apply Listing: Shireland Teacher Training, Shireland Collegiate Academy, Waterloo Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 4ND (13A)
Secondary - Art & Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education
Shireland Teaching Training is a partnership of like-minded, good and outstanding Secondary and Primary Schools across the West Midlands which provides initial and continuing teacher education and development of the very highest quality. The Lead School in our Alliance is Shireland Collegiate Academy; an Ofsted rated Outstanding school. Our belief is that through immersion within a school environment trainee teachers will have continual opportunities to relate theory into practice by working alongside outstanding practitioners. Our unique approach allows trainee teachers to develop the skills and self-awareness needed to become outstanding and remain outstanding, giving them an advantage in their future teaching careers. We believe outstanding teachers absolutely make a difference. Here at Shireland we aim to make a difference to the lives and academic achievement of each and every learner. Join us and inspire a love of learning in young people and change attitudes, aspirations, and their lives forever.
DfE Apply Listing: Southam Teaching Alliance, Welsh Road West, Southam, Warwickshire, CV47 0JW (2BN)
Secondary: Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education
Southam College is the lead school for Southam Teaching Alliance. Southam College is an ‘Outstanding’ 11-18 school set in the heart of rural Warwickshire with 1643 students on roll, 298 of who are in the Sixth Form. As a result of our strong reputation, based upon outstanding achievement, wide ranging extracurricular opportunities and an ethos of support and care, the school continues to be oversubscribed. Our Alliance has a shared ethos of working together and investing in teachers and leaders. We believe that each teacher and leader is unique and has their own talent which can be enhanced through regular professional discussion, practical CPD and self-reflection. We have a developed programme of support for trainee teachers, which extends into the NQT year and beyond. We believe that if every teacher and leader feels they have sufficient challenge, support, inspiration and enjoyment in their career, we believe it is possible for every student to enjoy their education, achieve their very best and have a purposeful, happy future as a valuable member of society
DfE Apply Listing: St Paul's Caritas Christi, Vernon Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 9SL (242)
Primary (General)
Secondary - Biology, Chemistry, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Physics, Religious Education
The school strives to present the highest quality of teaching and learning. Each girl is encouraged and stimulated to aim for excellence and thus achieve the best possible personal and academic standards. The diversity and richness of contribution from all members of the school community, in promoting and upholding all-round high standards are highly valued. Great emphasis is placed on graceful growth in self-discipline and the right use of freedom. Each member is expected to treat others with a spirit of respect and responsible love and to regard the environment with a sense of enlightened stewardship.
DfE Apply Listing: St Peters Catholic School, Whitefields Rd, Solihull, B91 3NZ (17Y)
Primary (General)
Secondary - Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education
Welcome to St. Peter’s Catholic School. Serving Solihull’s Catholic community, we are a popular, oversubscribed school with a history going back over a hundred years. Olton Court Convent School (founded in 1903) merged with Bishop Glancey High school in 1974 to form the present school. The Sixth Form was added in 1994 enabling us to care for students from age 11 to 19. The school is supported by the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull and the Birmingham Archdiocese. The school site is bordered by parkland in the largely residential South west of Solihull. Not far away are the excellent amenities of Solihull, the city of Birmingham and the attractive rural landscape of Warwickshire’s Green Belt.
Achieve with TELA - Thomas Estley Community College
* NOT RECRUITING FOR 23/24 *
DfE Apply Listing: Achieve with TELA, Station Road, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, LE9 6PT (1R3)
Secondary - Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Drama, Mathematics, MFL (French), PE, Physics
Growing talent, pursuing excellence, together. Achieve with TELA School Direct Initial Teacher Training is an established programme with a successful track record of recruiting the best and providing a high-quality experience. Our ethos is to train, employ and grow our own teachers and future leaders.
Achieve have been involved in teacher training for over 10 years and have a proven track record of success with the majority of our graduates finding employment within our alliance of schools. Our school based provision includes high quality teaching placements with experienced and supportive mentors in two schools with varied age ranges.
DfE Apply listing: The Woodloes Teaching Partnership, Deansway, Warwick CV34 5DF
Primary (General)
The Woodloes Teaching Partnership is led by Woodloes Primary School and our members are Heathcote Primary School, Stratford Primary School, Budbrooke Primary School, Ridgeway Special School and Newburgh Primary School. All our schools are based in the central area around Warwick and Stratford with very easy access to Warwick University, our training partner.
We are a new ITT Partnership but all of our schools have a proven track record of excellence, with great experience in training, coaching and mentoring. Additionally, our schools have a strong reputation for building leadership capacity and school to school improvement.
Woodloes is also a member of the Community Academies Trust along with several of our other partner schools. We collaborate closely and enjoy great support from the CAT Teaching School and Warwick University to train teachers of the future. So if you are interested to know more about this exciting opportunity then please make contact with us to discuss this further.
Woodrush Training ConsortiumLink opens in a new window
DfE Apply Listing: Woodrush Training Consortium, Shawhurst Lane, Wythall, Worcestershire B47 5JW (21T)
Secondary - Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, Computing, Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Languages(French, Spanish, French & Spanish), Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Education.
At Woodrush TC we pride ourselves on offering a personalised experience. All of our past trainees have rated our training and support as outstanding and we have a 100% pass rate. We work with local primary schools and secondary schools from North Birmingham all the way to Dudley and Worcester. We also work with three universities across the Midlands so can meet the needs of every trainee.
Our School Direct training offers a highly developed programme of professional development opportunities for trainee teachers.
Through both internal training and that linked to national providers, such as the National College of School Leadership, trainee teachers can expect to be given, and have access to, a wide range of opportunities to develop their career. These would include opportunities to develop high quality teaching skills, and early leadership development and fast tracking at Woodrush or within our alliance of partner schools.
We have a lot of experience and expertise in training and developing teachers, which we will use to provide you with an outstanding start to your teaching career and personalised support towards successful completion of your QTS and Masters assignments. Many teachers that train with us join our staff and gain contracts within our organisation. Woodrush also has the NQT Quality mark for excellent support in your first year of teaching.