You will learn the basics of how to be an amazing teacher. You will cover the subject knowledge required to teach across the full primary curriculum including English, Maths, Science and foundation subjects. We place a real emphasis on practical elements of teaching with expert tuition in creating exciting lessons, using technology as well as class and behaviour management.

Over the course, you will develop the tools and confidence to teach a class and quickly rise to senior leadership once you've qualified. 

You will learn how to teach in a faith school: Over 1/4 of UK [HM3] schools are faith schools. Focusing on Jewish schools, you will learn to be comfortable teaching the national curriculum whilst being respectful of religious beliefs and British values.

All trainees are allocated a SCITT Professional Tutor who is responsible for monitoring the trainee’s progress during school experiences. Through seminars on applying for your first job and preparing for interviews, your are supported to help secure your first teaching position.

The SCITT course gives you the chance to build your teaching skills through a mix of interactive lectures and real classroom experience. Training is split between our Hendon campus and high-performing schools. On campus, you’ll gain subject knowledge, classroom strategies, and practical techniques to equip you for teaching in any primary school. In schools, you’ll begin by observing experienced teachers and gradually take on more responsibility until you’re confident teaching full weeks of lessons. The course is structured across three terms, each with a school placement. In the second term, you'll work in a diverse, multicultural school, learning how to support children from a wide range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. This experience ensures you’re trained to make the curriculum accessible to every child, whatever their needs.

Distinctive Features

• The course offers content particularly relevant to the schools and the communities in which we work. The study of inclusion is a focus of our programme with an emphasis on preparing trainees to teach children from diverse backgrounds, for example, children with special educational needs and children for whom English is an additional language.
• There is a clear link between subject knowledge, pedagogy and pupil learning in both centre and school-based training. Centre-based training is enhanced by activities, tasks and assignments set in school.
• Your own Professional Tutor who is responsible for monitoring your progress during school experiences.
• Seminars on applying for your first job as well as interview preparation to help secure that first teaching position.
• As part of the course, all trainees undertake a PGCE accredited by Roehampton University. All trainees are expected to reach the PGCE qualification level as well as QTS with 60 credits at Master's level.

The course includes the following components:

• How children develop emotionally, cognitively and physically
• How children learn
• Strategies for a successful lesson 
• How to plan outstanding lessons
• How to assess pupil progress
• Safeguarding Children and Child Protection
• Special Educational Needs and Inclusion
• Government priorities such as phonics and teaching literacy and behaviour for learning
• Developing subject knowledge

You will be supported to become effective learners, to understand the expectations of the programme, and make the most of the support available. You will develop a reflective approach to you own learning and development

 Training in the Core Subjects

These lectures focus on the development of teaching skills in the core subjects: Maths, English and Science.

Taught sessions will include practical activities which will offer you the opportunity to develop your own knowledge of these subjects in addition to learning about effective practice. School-based tasks and assignments will encourage you to put your newly acquired knowledge, understanding and skills into practice.

Training in the Foundation Subjects

You will gain an understanding of the separate subjects and how these may be integrated in cross-curricular teaching and learning in Key Stages 1&2. Lectures and practical experiences will take place in our range of schools.

The relevant early learning stages of the Foundation Stage Curriculum are included.

Taught sessions will include practical activities which will offer you the opportunity to develop your own knowledge of these subjects in addition to learning about effective practice. School-based tasks and assignments will encourage you to put your newly acquired knowledge, understanding and skills into practice.

Teaching and Classroom Management

You will gain a better understanding about the core theories and ideas of behaviour for learning. This will enable you to promote quality learning and appropriate management of your class. The training covers what pupil, school and home factors are the causes of challenging behaviour.

You will learn how to promote behaviour for learning across a range of school contexts through developing an understanding of how behaviour develops, strategies for promoting positive behaviour including attitudes and dispositions, and overcoming barriers to learning.

Teaching and Learning in the Early Years

In addition to the training provided for all curriculum subjects, you will have an opportunity to spend time in an early years setting. This will give you the chance to recognise the importance of early years education and the implications of good early years practice for later learning.

The SCITT course has high expectations and seeks to ensure that graduates remain committed to a successful teaching career. The programme requires a tremendous commitment from all trainees in order to be successful in our very rigorous course.

Your centre-based learning will take place at our Hendon Campus once a week on a Wednesday and you will spend the rest of your time at your placement school.

We place our trainees in supportive, high-performing schools across the community. 

Trainees national requirements for trainee teachers include:

• An undergraduate degree of a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification
• A standard equivalent to a grade 4 in the GCSE examinations in English, Mathematics and in a science subject
• The ability to communicate clearly and accurately in Standard English
• Competence in numeracy and literacy
• For Jewish Studies and Teach to Lead: Have a proven academic foundation of continued learning relevant to the subject
• Be eligible to work in the UK
• Applicants must also possess personal and intellectual qualities as deemed appropriate by us and meet the Secretary of State’s requirements for physical and mental Fitness to Teach as detailed in the Department for Children, Schools, Families R1.5d Qualifying to Teach (2007)
• Trainees will be required to obtain a DBS enhanced certificate. We will help you organise this.
• You will need to demonstrate (at interview and through your application) the academic ability to reach a PGCE level.

Applicants with non-British qualifications

If you hold a degree or other qualifications from a non-UK institution, you must verify their equivalence through the National Recognition Information Centre for the UK (UK NARIC): Tel: 01242 260 010

Applicants who do not hold English, Maths or Science GCSE Grade 4

If you do not hold a GCSE in Maths, English or Science at grade 4 (C) or above or an equivalent qualification, you can still apply as long as you indicate on your application form that you are taking an equivalency test from Astra Equivalency.

A pass in these tests will be acknowledged by the LSJS SCITT as being equivalent to Grade 4 (C) or above at GCSE/GCE O-level.

Skills Test 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, trainees, and volunteers to share this commitment and to uphold the highest standards of professional and personal conduct. Robust safeguarding policies and procedures are in place to ensure a safe and supportive environment for learning. All those working with LSJS undergo appropriate checks and receive safeguarding training as part of their induction and ongoing development.