School Direct
School Direct with the NSTA
Train to be a teacher with the North Somerset Teaching Alliance (NSTA)
North Somerset Teaching Alliance
Collaborate, Learn, Improve
School direct programme
The NSTA, in partnership with local Higher Education Institutions, and other schools in our teaching alliance, leads a successful School Direct programme. Our model blends the best of school based teacher training with high quality training support from either the University of Bristol or Plymouth Marjon. Students accepted on this course benefit from being awarded a PGCE and QTS at the end of the training year, with the possibility of being employed within the North Somerset Teaching Alliance (or other partner schools) the following year.
Why Choose NSTA
Successful candidates will benefit from the following:
- Awarded both QTS and PGCE status at the end of training year
- High quality training support from local Higher Education Institution (recognised by Ofsted as being Outstanding in the field of Initial Teacher Training in their most recent inspection reports)
- Teaching experience in a minimum of 2 schools based in North Somerset.
- All North Somerset schools lie within commuting distance of Bristol
- Led by Backwell School and supported by Churchill Academy
- A wider pool of peer-support from joint sessions with the NSTA School Direct cohort and PGCE students
Key Information
We recommend prospective trainees attend one of our ‘School Experience days’. To book a place please contact Helen Twiggs at admin@nsta.org.uk
All applications must be completed online using the UCAS Teacher Training application process. Unless you have a specific query, your contact with NSTA will only start once your application has been successfully completed and processed by UCAS.
- Details of bursaries and funding for postgraduate teacher training are available on the Department of Education website.
- General information on School Direct can be found on the UCAS website.
- Use this link to download a PDF with detailed information about the NSTA School Direct Programme and how to apply.
Current vacancies and partner details
| Use the Google Map link to access a map showing all partner schools and HEI providers in the NSTA School Direct programme. You can use the map to access the website of each partner by clicking on the relevant pin. |
Our vacancies for our 2021 – 2022 School Direct Programme are detailed in the table below. Please be aware that we close recruitment on 1st July 2021
| Subject | Higher Education Institute | NSTA Home School |
|---|---|---|
| Art and Design | Plymouth Marjon University | Broadoak |
| Computer Science | Plymouth Marjon University | Broadoak |
| Design and Technology (DT) | Plymouth Marjon University | Churchill |
| Drama | Plymouth Marjon University | Broadoak |
| English | University of Bristol | Backwell, Chilton Trinity, Churchill, Clevedon |
| Geography | University of Bristol | Churchill |
| History – NO VACANCIES | University of Bristol | Backwell |
| Mathematics | University of Bristol | Backwell, Broadoak, Chilton Trinity |
| MFL – NO VACANCIES | University of Bristol | Churchill, Clevedon |
| Physical Education (PE) – NO VACANCIES | Plymouth Marjon University | Chilton Trinity, Churchill, Clevedon, Gordano |
| Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) | University of Bristol | Backwell, Broadoak, Chilton Trinity, Churchill, Clevedon, Gordano |
Higher Education Institute links
Our current vacancies are also available on the Postgraduate teacher training courses search tool (Look for the link titled ‘Search for courses’ on the home page, then enter ‘North Somerset Teaching Alliance’ into the ‘Search for a training provider OR select a region.’ box and select ‘Search’. This will show an up to date list of available courses.
School experience days
We run a programme of events across our schools.
Please click here to see flyer outlining scheduled dates and venues. Please note that due to Covid-19, these could be subject to change.