Fairfields School is a Lead School for the University of Derby School Direct Programme. We have been working with the University of Derby since September 2014 and are continuing to run School Direct PGCE Level 7. Recruitment and application information is available on our How to Apply page.

School Direct PGCE (Tuition Only Route)

You provide a placement in your school for one academic year for our trainee. The trainee will be on a second placement for 8 weeks in the Spring term - we do our best to replace them with an alternative trainee. 

You have the trainee as supernumerary to your staffing complement. There are no financial commitments for the school. The trainee is introduced gradually to full time teaching. You will be required to supply an in school mentor to support them on their learning journey.

You have no commitment to keeping them at the end of the year but, if they have done well and you have a vacancy, that often happens as you know them and they know your school!

We are interested in all applications for the postgraduate places from those trainees who meet the criteria. Trainees need to have a 2:2 or higher, English Language, Maths and Science GCSE at ‘Level 4/C'  or above. Trainees will also need to complete a DBS check.

The application round opens each year in October.  You can apply via DFE Apply - visit our How to Apply section for more information. Interviews will take place either online, at Fairfields School or another school in Northamptonshire.

Placements will be allocated in a school in Northamptonshire. It is also possible to place students outside of the county if they so wish. Placements are allocated after discussion with trainees – we work with a large number of schools across Northamptonshire and aim to take into account your journey to school.

After the posting of an application on the DFE Apply website, there is a 40 day window for a decision to be made. There is no closing date for applications as such, we stop taking applications when we have reached capacity.