Train to Teach

About EQUA Mead Futures

The EQUA Mead Learning Trust is a 2-18 welcoming, inclusive and forward-looking educational organisation. We consist of 17 primary schools, 2 secondary schools and 4 High Need Resource Bases.

We take pride in the mixed economy of our schools and strive to foster a genuine inclusive environment in all our schools. We believe in the power of education to transform lives, and we are dedicated to developing and supporting staff. We foster a strong sense of community, where all partners collaborate and are empowered to achieve academic excellence and personal growth.

We offer you the chance to complete all your training in our trust schools, delivered by our own experts. Our schools enjoy geographical proximity and mutually beneficial relationships; this will ensure that your support is continuous, and developmental as your placements progress. Due to the nature of our schools, we can offer you a rich and diverse experience where we choose your second placement to directly complement your core school, therefore enhancing and broadening your teaching repertoire.

EQUA Mead Learning Trust and our schools are characterised by an ambition to give ‘every child, every chance’. This belief is tangible via our commitment to an enhanced CPD and development offer positioned within EQUA Mead Futures. This offer ranges from our ITT programme in partnership with Teach First to intrust delivery of the Early Careers Framework (ECF) up to Nationally recognised leadership qualifications (NPQ). Whilst our schools are based in Wiltshire we have coverage across Bath, Dorset, Somerset, Swindon and Devon.

If you would like to find out more about our ITT programme, please contact: Futures@Equamead.org or register your interest here

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Why Train to Teach with EQUA Mead Futures?

EQUA Mead Futures is proud to be a Lead Partner with Teach First delivering School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) where you will gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a PGCE. Teach First have been training teachers for 20 years and are the largest initial teacher training provider in the country. Teach First’s initial teacher training is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.

At EQUA Mead we lead the way in high quality research, teaching and professional education. We have earned an excellent reputation in terms of trainee teacher satisfaction. We are very proud to have been a lead school for School Direct Initial Teacher Training since 2012. Before this, we were part of the Graduate Teacher Programme. We have an excellent track record of training outstanding teachers many of whom are subsequently successful in gaining employment within our Trust.

We will equip you with not just the knowledge to succeed but also the tools. We will provide all trainee teachers with a free laptop to ensure no one is disadvantaged
We strive to grow our own next generation of teachers; after your 12 months of training, you will have the opportunity to apply to us for a qualified teacher position with a starting salary of over £31,000

We currently have 19 schools within our growing organisation meaning that you will be able to complete all your training within EQUA Mead. The differences across our schools will allow you to receive a rich and diverse experience.

On completion of QTS you can continue your professional development with us via our Early Career Framework along with our range of specialist and leadership NPQs

If you engage with us as an aspiring teacher, you will become part of a professional community characterised by exceptional support, specialist subject expertise and a network of diverse schools for first-rate placement opportunities.

If you would like to find out more about our ITT programme, please contact: Futures@Equamead.org or register your interest here

What will your year look like?

Our one-year, research-led training will give you hands-on experience and will allow you to train in a school near you. Our curriculum focuses on putting ‘learning into practice’.

You will be in school four days per week with one day training and development based locally. You will have a core placement which will span September – July. This will be enhanced by a six-week opportunity in another school which will allow you to work within a different phase, with a different demographic of pupil and allow further development of specialism.

Your work life balance is important so all placements will consider proximity to home address and any specialist ambitions.
At the launch of the programme in September, you will have two weeks of intensive training which will focus on the foundational areas of teaching. You will have a further two separate weeks of intensive training later in the year.

In your school, you will spend your time with other expert teachers, observing, planning and teaching lessons. You will work closely with a highly skilled and knowledgeable mentor, who will also receive support and training from EQUA Mead Futures

At the end of the programme, you will have the foundational knowledge and skills to become an effective early career teacher alongside achieving a PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status.

If you would like to find out more about our ITT programme, please contact: Futures@Equamead.org or register your interest here

Our placement schools 

We have opportunities to train in:

• Primary - 3-7
• Primary - 5-11
• Science (Biology, Physics, Chemistry)
• English
• Maths
• History
• Geography
• Religious Education
• Computing
• Business Studies
• Music
• MfL
• PE

If you would like to find out more about our ITT programme, please contact: Futures@Equamead.org or register your interest here

Are you eligible?

We are passionate about supporting colleagues and cultivating the next generation of teachers and leaders.

As a values-driven Trust we firmly believe in ’every child, every chance’. If this aligns with your principles we would love to hear from you.

You will need:

• An undergraduate degree, or equivalent.
• To demonstrate sufficient knowledge in the subject you are applying to teach, either through your degree qualification, your A Levels or relevant experience.
• Grade 4 (C) or above in English and Maths GCSEs, or equivalent qualification. In order to teach Primary, you will also need Grade 4 (C) or above in Science GCSE.

Sorry, but we are not able to consider candidates with pending GCSEs. Functional skills qualifications are not equivalent to Maths and English GCSEs.

We accept most equivalency test providers. You will need to have passed your GCSE equivalency test before applying to our programme; we will not be able to process your application until you have passed.

Overseas qualifications will be reviewed by ENIC to ensure they meet programme requirements.

Other requirements

All offers are subject to satisfactory results from necessary pre-employment checks. Please contact us at Futures@equamead.org 

Fees and financial support

• The course fees for UK students in 2024 to 2025 are £9,535.
• The tuition fees for International students are typically: Full-time: £12,600 per year
• We will provide all trainee teachers with a free laptop to ensure no one is disadvantaged

You can visit  Get Into Teaching for advice and financial support from the Government.

International candidates

You’ll need the right to study in the UK. You already have this if, for example, you:

• are an Irish citizen
• have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (you may still be able to apply)
• have indefinite leave to remain in the UK

If you do not already have the right to study in the UK, you may need to apply for a visa. The main visa for fee-paying courses (those that you have to pay for) is the Student visa.

To apply for a Student visa, you’ll need to be sponsored by your training provider.

Sponsorship is not available for this course.

If you need a visa, filter your course search to find courses with visa sponsorship.

Alternatively, check if you’re eligible for a different type of visa, such as a Graduate or Family visa, that allows you to train to be a teacher without being sponsored.

Find out more about training to teach in England.

Training with disabilities and other needs

EQUA Mead Futures vision is to build a fair education for all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our programmes and partnerships. You will have access to our partner university’s support services, and we will take a tailored approach to all reasonable adjustments trainees may need. You will be able to apply to Student Finance for additional support dependent on eligibility, for example Disabled Students’ Allowance.

If you would like to find out more about our ITT programme, please contact: Futures@Equamead.org or register your interest here

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