School Direct
Please click a section below to expand:
What is School Direct?
The Sandstone Trust School Direct Programme is delivered in partnership with LJMU. Training lasts for one academic year (September-July), and on successful completion you will be awarded a PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status. The School Direct Programme consists of a combination of classroom practice and relevant professional development. You will be given the opportunity to spend much of your time ‘practising your craft’ with high quality school placements from across the Sandstone Trust partnership. You will also be offered a programme of training developed and delivered by all the Sandstone Trust schools in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University. You will be supported personally and professionally by a school based Subject and Professional Mentor, and a University Based Tutor.
Excellence
A personalised experience based in one of over twenty 11-18 Rural Partnership Schools.
Employability
Contrasting school based experiences and a school based mentor who will know you, care about you and work with you to secure your employment.
Excitement
A very different approach to school based learning, where you will almost immediately be working with young people to serve their needs, working alongside outstanding professionals.
Your training through the Cheshire Vale TSA School Direct Alliance will also include access to in-house training programmes.
The Qualities of a Great Teacher
We seek to recruit talented people who have the qualities and attributes suited to a career in teaching and the drive and ambition to make it happen.
The personal qualities we are looking for include:
- A friendly and approachable nature and a desire to champion and support young people
- High levels of personal organisation and time management
- A passion for your subject and a desire to continue learning
- A positive, cheerful outlook where every day is a fresh start
- A creative and innovative approach
- The ability to reflect on and improve practice
- Potential leadership capabilities
- Humility to accept advice and to abandon irrelevant knowledge and skills
Application Process
The window for applications for a place on the Sandstone Trust School Direct programme is now open. For details on how to apply and what the course entails, please visit the Sandstone Trust website
If you have any questions about School Direct within the Cheshire Vale TSA, please contact the School Direct Administrator, Claire Rice - send email
What Current School Direct Trainees Say
"As a trainee teacher participating in a week long professional development course, hosted by Christleton, our sponsoring school, it seemed odd to learn that you are not the most important person in the classroom! In a week packed with mind expanding sessions, designed to allow me to turn the spotlight onto the learners and put them in control of their own learning, it has been invaluable. Employers often look for people with an ability to problem-solve, who can show resilience and who are good team players. Following this week’s training, I now feel empowered to nurture these skills within my students and help them develop life skills as well as invaluable knowledge.
As a career changer, School Direct appealed to me as I wanted to get into the classroom as quickly as I could and get stuck in. As soon as I first arrived for a visit to Christleton, I knew the school had a special feel. From that first day and throughout my school direct training, I have been proud to be a part of the ethos of the Cheshire Vale TSA consortium. The School Direct programme within the Cheshire Vale TSA consortium has given me the best on the job training, in a safe and supported environment and has continually been behind me, pushing me to stretch and excel. We have been made very welcome within our departments and within the school itself, training has stretched and tested our metal, giving us the best armour to take back into the classroom, to empower us to be the best we teachers we can be and to guide us to making our students outstanding learners."
Caroline Peters - Maths Trainee
"The Cheshire Vale TSA School Direct program has been fantastic, and although challenging it is heavily rewarding. There is a brilliant support network which offers help and encouragement all the way through and you can see personal progression on the journey.
It has been an invaluable experience so far and I would definitely recommend the Cheshire Vale TSA School Direct course to anyone!"
Daryl Harrison - English Trainee
How Can I Gain School Experience?
Applicants need to complete 10 days’ school experience. It is not necessary to have school experience of a Cheshire Vale TSA school, you may have a local school that you could contact directly and arrange a placement.
