Cornwall SCITT (Secondary) offers an Employment-Based Route to Qualified Teacher Status – enabling trainees to earn a salary while they train.

The Employment-Based Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is a bespoke initial teacher training (ITT) programme designed for high-quality graduates with significant transferable work experience.  This route may particularly appeal to applicants currently working in a school as a TA, HLTA, technician, cover supervisor or unqualified teacher for whom QTS is the next step.

The Employment-Based Route is offered in the following Secondary subjects:

Art & Design; Computing; Design & Technology; English; Geography; History; Mathematics; Music; PE; RE; Science (Biology; Chemistry; Physics).

 Applicants must:

• Hold an undergraduate degree from a UK higher education provider (or a recognised equivalent qualification).
• Have achieved at least grade C / 4 (or equivalent) in GCSE English Language and Mathematics.
• Meet the professional suitability requirements, including:
     - A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced check
     - Fitness to Train to Teach and occupational health clearance

Applicants must identify a willing employer as part of the application process.

Employment-based trainees are employed as unqualified teachers by their employing school for the duration of training.  Cornwall SCITT oversees the professional training, ensuring a high-quality training experience that enables the trainee to make progress across the year and successfully gain QTS.  Cornwall SCITT provides tailored subject-specific training as well as ‘second school’ experience (a DfE requirement for QTS).

 Employment-based trainees are supported by a dedicated mentor within their school community, as well as by Cornwall SCITT’s team.

Funding and Fees
- The tuition fee is payable either by the employing school or by the trainee, depending on the local employment arrangement.
- Trainees are not eligible for student finance loans or bursaries on this route.
- Some subjects may be eligible for DfE-grant funding towards tuition fee and a salary contribution.

Tuition fee: £7985 (2026-27)

Please note, this route leads to QTS only — there is no PGCE option within this pathway.