We’re proud to work in partnership with York St John University to offer high-quality Primary and Early Years teacher training through a school-centred approach.
Our training programme offers you an initial teacher education opportunity of outstanding quality, training as part of an inspirational learning community on a journey to achieve a national reputation for excellence in teaching and learning.
What is school centered teacher training
Polaris is a Catholic-based Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programme rooted in the values of support, nurture, care, and guidance. Our mission is to form compassionate, reflective, and skilled educators who not only teach but inspire, lead, and serve with integrity. We offer a school-based training model, meaning you'll be in the classroom from the very first week of the academic year. Our collaborative work focuses on SEND, leadership, and adaptive teaching, ensuring trainees are well-equipped to meet the needs of all learners. We are deeply committed to creating a supportive and nurturing environment, where every trainee is valued, encouraged, and guided throughout their journey into the profession.
Our Programme
Our teacher training programme runs full-time from September to June and leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Most of your training will take place in the classroom, working alongside experienced and supportive teachers.
In addition, you’ll benefit from specialist professional development and curriculum training delivered by Polaris leaders at our training hub in Malton, as well as academic support from tutors at York St John University.
Throughout the year, you’ll gradually take on more responsibility, progressing from observing experienced practitioners to teaching up to 80% of a full timetable by the end of the programme.
Guaranteed placements in York, North and East Yorkshire
Throughout your training, you’ll complete placements in two contrasting schools across the City of York, Ryedale, North Yorkshire, and East Yorkshire, providing a rich and varied experience that prepares you for a successful teaching career. Polaris is a highly regarded Teaching School with a proven track record in developing teachers and school leaders. We offer lots of flexibility within our programme to suit your needs: we place you in schools that match your interests and experience and we use a blended approach for training and support.
QTS & PGCE
Whilst the majority of your training and assessment is undertaken in schools, you will complete academic assignments, gain subject and theoretical knowledge and apply your understanding of child development in class, leading to a PGCE with QTS. Our school-led route into teaching offers the same academic rigour as university-led courses.
Tailored Support & Development
At Polaris, trainee well-being is a top priority, and everything we do is underpinned by our Catholic values of compassion, care, service, and community. These values shape the way we support, nurture, and guide our trainees throughout their training year.
We provide a strong and committed support network that includes an ITT Lead, Lead Mentor, Link Tutors, Headteachers, school-based mentors, and class teachers. You are never on your own—we are here to walk with you every step of the way.
We are passionate about developing good and outstanding teachers who are not only skilled and reflective practitioners, but who also embody the ethos and values of Catholic education. Our aim is to retain and grow exceptional teachers within our schools, ensuring the highest standards for the children and communities we serve.
We see the ITT year as just the first step in your teaching vocation. Should you go on to work in one of our schools, you’ll continue to receive dedicated support through your Early Career Teacher (ECT) years and beyond.
Qualifications Required & Programme Options
We ask that applicants hold an honours degree (or equivalent) and have achieved at least Grade C/4 or above in GCSE English, Maths, and Science. If you do not currently have a GCSE in Science, York St John University offers an equivalency test to help you meet this requirement.
More importantly, we are looking for individuals who are passionate about teaching, have a genuine understanding of how children learn, and possess the resilience, commitment, and drive needed to thrive in a rewarding—yet demanding—profession.
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For further course details, please click here