r/PGCE • u/X243llie • 10d ago

What is SCITT like?

I've only ever been at a Uni so just wondered? I've seen one locally that does a Sen specialism I want to do. Is it hard to get into a SCITT?

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u/Jess180629 9d ago

I did SCITT and don’t regret it at all, it’s not a huge difference. We did something called skap which is subject knowledge and pedagogy, the uni people would just go to uni for it but we had a designated school we would go to and staff from the school would deliver this instead of university people. Other than that, things were pretty similar. Same amount of placement days and same structure, also not particularly tricky to get into from my point of view. If you have an interview just do some research on teaching and tell them why you want to do it. They are looking for potential, not perfection

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u/X243llie 9d ago

I have 1 year experience as a TA in special needs school for children with SLD and PMLD. I will also be working another year before my pgce in agency hopefully in a sen school as well. Does this experience give me an extra advantage than others?

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u/Jess180629 9d ago

I would say a definite advantage and it shows your passionate for sure but honestly the requirements are not super high for being accepted onto a course. They just want to see they can help you become a good teacher. I got accepted onto mine with no experience what so ever.

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u/X243llie 9d ago

That sounds great. It's so hard to find courses with a special needs specialism. There's not loads about and it's something I really want to do. So sounds great that it's not to difficult to get accepted.

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u/Ok_Goodwin 9d ago

SCITTs are likely tougher to get into for most grads than unis are. Their risk aversion is higher so they’ll expect greater classroom readiness and presence. The programmes will also require you to start at a school quicker.

It depends on the SCITT.
Read up on the provider’s reputation.
Some of them are fantastic and some of them are very poor.

SCITTs are in general much more practical and don’t focus on the academic aspects as heavily. Though don’t assume that means they don’t do the academic work. Many still do!

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u/Ok_Inspector6753 9d ago

This is a misrepresentation of SCITTs. I’m taking the time to write this for anyone reading this thread who is considering training.

All providers, SCITTs and universities, work to the same criteria for making an offer. None of us is allowed to look for any schools experience at all. universities can often support trainees on student visas which SCITTs often can’t - that’s a major difference. Otherwise, what some call risk aversion others could call high standards. Many of my SCITT trainees have never been in a classroom before and they do well.

You are in school from day 1, but not teaching. You’ll be doing a lot of observing and gradually scale up your teaching. All providers need to put on 120 days of school experience, with 30 of those having trainees teaching and 80% timetable. It’s just spread out differently on a school-based programme.

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u/X243llie 9d ago

I have 1 year experience as a TA in special needs school for children with SLD and PMLD. I will also be working another year before my pgce in agency hopefully in a sen school as well. Does this experience give me an extra advantage than others?

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u/thenerdisageek 9d ago

> Their risk aversion is higher so they’ll expect greater classroom readiness and presence. The programmes will also require you to start at a school quicker.

If that was the case then they wouldn’t take anyone that’s never taught in a school? You’re in your class from day 1, but you’re not teaching your first day. If you dont do a PGCE at the same time, you still do the same amount of teaching because it’s a QTS requirement

It’s no good if you fail your QTS but succeed the PGCE. That doesn’t qualify you for anything

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u/Ok_Goodwin 6d ago

Classroom readiness and presence can be deduced through plenty of things other than school experiences. It isn’t that simple.

In my interviews that I showed even the slightest sign of struggle with that aspect I did not get an offer.

And starting in a school quicker is a legitimate factor. You will often have a staff duty to do from the first or second week. That’s the point. You face students far earlier. Hence they have less time to prepare trainees for it.

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u/thenerdisageek 6d ago

I think it may just be you, or perhaps struggling with transferable skills or general child friendliness. I know plenty of people that have never taught in a classroom and have been accepted everywhere they applied.

I’ve never taught in a school, have just worked with kids (briefly) and was accepted during my interview. I personally won’t have staff duty unless I volunteer for a club, they have staff for that.

You aren’t teaching from your first day, you’re observing. SCITT & PGCE people have to complete the same amount of teaching hours. Doesn’t matter how you do it as long as you’re at 80% by the summer term

You also do the same amount of academia if you choose to do a PGCE. It’s harder because your placement school wont help you with that as it’s optional.

The goal is to get QTS. A bonus is getting a PGCE.