PGCE, Assessment Only and Internships
At The Sheffield SCITT we offer additional courses, including a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with our partners at The University of Hull, an Assessment Only route to QTS and a paid Teaching Internship Programme. Click on the links at the side to find out more
PGCE
If you are a trainee on one of our QTS courses, we also encourage you to study towards a PGCE. This is an additional qualification we offer alongside the QTS qualification you will receive when you graduate from our course.
To qualify as a teacher in the UK you only require QTS however there are benefits to gaining a PGCE:
Increased confidence from academic training in education
The PGCE is internationally recognised. To teach in other countries including Scotland and Northern Ireland it is likely you will need an academic qualification such as the PGCE alongside QTS to register as a teacher there.
We work in partnership with the University of Hull who provide face to face tuition three times a year at one of our Sheffield Lead Schools and additional support throughout the year.
To be accepted onto the PGCE course we would normally require a 2.2 or above in a relevant first degree in addition to the entry requirements for the QTS programme you are studying.
We do not offer a PGCE course without QTS.
If you have any questions about the PGCE course, please contact us at admin@sheffieldscitt.org.uk.
Internships
Experience the teaching profession and gain new skills. With Teaching Internships, you’ll get the opportunity to experience a range of activities to help you get a feel for school life.
Internship Programme 2026
Our internship programme will run from 24th June to the 15th July 2026.
The programme takes place across our partnership schools based in South Yorkshire, Chesterfield and Huddersfield.
You’ll need to be interested in teaching maths, physics, computing, chemistry, design and technology, or a modern foreign language (French, Spanish or German)
They’re available for university students who are either in their second, third or final year of an undergraduate degree, or studying towards a master’s degree.
You’ll be paid £455 per week - £1365 for the entire Internship.
You’ll gain classroom experience, support pupils, shadow experienced teachers, observe lessons and lots more.
Support after your internship to pursue your interest in teaching, including from the school and a dedicated adviser
Hear what our interns had to say about their time on the programme here.
If you have any questions about our internship programme, please contact us at interns@hallamtsa.org.uk.
FAQS
Will I be expected to supervise a class alone?
No – you’ll always be in lessons with experienced classroom teachers
Will I get to teach something?
Of course – providing you want to. We hope that by the end of the 3 weeks you’ll have had chance to be the ‘teacher’ to a class and do some starters, plenaries or maybe a big chunk of a lesson. Whatever you do will be prearranged in conjunction with your mentor or host teacher and only when you feel ready to do so.
How much time will I spend in lessons?
In a 25-period week, you’ll have 12 hours of timetabled lessons across a range of year groups and teachers. The rest of your time will be arranged through discussion with your mentor based on what you are interested in and how you can best support the department. Here are some activities you may want to do during your non-timetabled time:
Act as a teaching assistant -supporting individuals or small groups of pupils
Develop curriculum resources
Support A-level classes or ‘taster’ transition sessions for the new Year 7s
Assist with marking
Go on trips
Attend sports day
Help technicians (in science and D&T)
Pastoral duties e.g. break & lunch duties or extra-curricular clubs
Plus, many more opportunities
What training will I get to before I go into the classroom?
Our onboarding and induction days will give you information about acting like a teacher, professional standards and safeguarding – like you would receive on the first day of teacher training.
How do I know what is expected of me?
On your first day in your host school, you will receive your handbook which includes the timetable for the full 3 weeks. You will modify what you are doing in non-timetabled lessons with your mentor. The activities we ask you to do are also in the handbook.
What hours am I expected to be in school?
You will match the working hours of staff at your host school. For example, at Notre Dame High School this would be 08:45-15:45, but each school has its own working hours. You will be told these hours in advance of starting in school.
Do I have to attend pre- or post-school meetings?
No, but you are welcome to if you think it would give you a better understanding of school life
How are we assessed?
There is no formal assessment, but in order to be paid for your time on the internship you need to complete your handbook with the daily reflection and task. You will submit this at the end of the programme.
What is the selection process like?
Interviews are online for around 20 minutes. It’s very conversational, with a chance to discuss your application with a member of our team. You’ll find out on the day if you have been successful and you’ll be then invited to an onboarding afternoon (25 Feb; 18 March; 22 April) when you’ll be given your formal offer.
What are the programme dates?
Thursday 25 June – induction day at Notre Dame High School, Sheffield
Friday 26 June to Tuesday 14 July – at your host school
Wednesday 15 July - celebration day at Notre Dame High School, Sheffield
What do I do if I’ve got a pre-existing appointment booked during the programme?
We know that sometimes appointments cannot be changed, for example graduation day or a hospital appointment. Let us know as early as you can and we will plan for your absence on that day. You will only be paid for the days you attend.
Can I speak to someone who has taken part in the programme before?
Some of our previous interns as well as SCITT students & graduates will be supporting in the induction and onboarding events.
Our DfE funded subjects for this year are Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computing, French, Spanish and German.
Please contact us if you are considering a career in teaching and would like us to help you get some real-life teaching experience in a school. These places are limited, you can apply using the link below. If you have any questions please contact admin@sheffieldscitt.org.uk.
Assessment Only QTS
This qualification may be suitable for you if you already have experience working as an unqualified teacher or HLTA in a UK school.
The Assessment Only QTS qualification requires you to be sponsored by the school where you are working to support you to gain the QTS qualification over a 12 week period (maximum).
Over this period, you will be required to gather evidence that you have met the teacher standards through documentary evidence and observations.
The requirements to be accepted onto this route are:
A degree from a UK institution or equivalent
GCSEs Grade 4 (C) or above in English and Maths (Secondary) and English, Maths and Science (Primary)
At least two years’ experience teaching in schools in the UK
Experience of teaching in two different schools
Experience of teaching across key stages
If you would like to be considered for the Assessment Only route to gaining Qualified Teacher Status please email us admin@sheffieldscitt.org.uk
If you are uncertain which course would be right for you or if you have any other questions, please get in touch admin@sheffieldscitt.org.uk.