Teacher Training
You can view our new recruitment information pack at the following link: Recruitment Pack
Why train with the Court Moor Partnership?
We work in collaboration with the University of Reading, which consistently ranks within the top ten of UK universities for teacher training. The Court Moor Partnership is one of the university’s ITE Hubs, leading a consortium of local secondary schools in Fleet, Farnborough and the surrounding areas. You can find out more about the University of Reading ITE here.
Our training programme offers the very best of both worlds: the university sessions (on pedagogy, behaviour, and subject-specific teaching) are supplemented by weekly training at either Court Moor School or one of our partner schools. Trainees learn their trade in two schools: Placement A runs from September to February; Placement B runs from February to June. All trainees are supported by a dedicated, qualified mentor who works closely with the university tutors to ensure the trainees are making the required progress. The course culminates in the issuing of ‘QTS’ (Qualified Teacher Status) and the PGCE (Post-Graduation Certificate of Education) award.
Our Frequently Answered Questions below will tell you everything you need to know about the training and the application process.
What do our trainees say about us?
You can read some of the testimonials here, or speak to our former trainees when you visit the school – many of them now work here! You can also read our Google reviews here (click the "google reviews" link on the right-hand panel). Below is an excerpt from a typical Court Moor Partnership review, from Izzy, one of our recent English trainees:
From the moment that I decided to pursue a PGCE, Court Moor School and the Court Moor Partnership could not have been more supportive. PGCE is a whirlwind of a year, in equal parts rewarding and exhausting! However, from the first application, to my last day at placement, I knew Terry and his team were always on hand if I had any questions or worries.
One of my favourite parts of the year was getting to visit different schools in the Court Moor Partnership. This was a fantastic opportunity to network with other trainees, seek advice from a variety of experienced teachers from different backgrounds and contexts, as well as receive practical advice we could implement in the classroom.
I am now in my second year of teaching and absolutely love it. I would love to thank everyone at the Court Moor Partnership for playing such a key role in the beginning of my teaching journey!
How can I find out more?
You can download our recruitment pack here, but the best thing to do is arrange a visit. We are always happy to welcome visitors to the school, and will set up a day of lesson observations in your preferred subject(s) across all year groups, with an opportunity to talk to teachers (particularly recent trainees) about their experiences.
Frequently asked questions
I’m interested in teacher training. What should I do next?
Contact Terry McEnroe on 01252 615065 or email terry.mcenroe@court-moor.hants.sch.uk to arrange a no-pressure visit to Court Moor School or a partner school.
How much does teacher training cost?
The tuition fees for 2026/27 are £9,790 (note: unlike other providers, we do NOT charge any administration fees).
Is financial support available?
Yes. Bursaries of up to £29,000 (tax-free) and scholarships of up to £31,000 (tax-free) are available – you can find out more here.
Is student finance available?
Yes – you can find out more here.
Where would I train?
Across the year, you would spend some time at University of Reading (most of these days are in the autumn term) and at two local training schools. The placements are of equal length, i.e. September to February, and February to June. There are also weekly ‘Professional Studies’ training sessions on Thursday mornings at Court Moor School and other partner schools. We always make sure you know well in advance where you will be training so that you can ensure it is convenient.
When would I start teaching?
When you’re ready. With some trainees, that’s within the first week at their first placement school; with others, it might take a little longer to build confidence. Initially, you will observe lots of lessons but will gradually start to take on teaching whole lessons. We won’t push you into it until you’re ready – sometimes, a trainee’s first experience of teaching is a ten-minute activity or some co-teaching with their mentor.
How is the course assessed?
Trainees are regularly observed and assessed by their school mentors and other experienced colleagues, and given detailed and constructive feedback. You will be visited at least twice by your university tutor and the QTS assessment takes place in the summer term.
Will I get a job at the end of the training?
Probably, yes. Each year, over half of our trainees are offered a job by one of their placement schools, or within the partnership. Well over 90% of our trainees have accepted a permanent teaching role before the end of the course.
Will I teach A-level?
Yes, all of our PGCE courses are for teaching ages 11-18, so you will gain experience of teaching post-16 qualifications at a local sixth form college or school.
What about being a form tutor?
You will be attached to a tutor group in each placement and given expert guidance on building positive relationships with tutees, in readiness for your first teaching job.
What is the eligibility criteria?
You must have a degree in a related subject (ideally a 2:2 or above), but sometimes a strong A-level grade (usually a B or above) is sufficient. You must also have a ‘good pass’ in both English and maths at GCSE.
Is teacher training only for recent graduates?
No, not at all – some of our current trainees are career-changers with over 30 years in industry, who have decided to cross-train. If you are a bit ‘rusty’, there are many ways to get ready for teaching, and there are funded SKEs (Subject Knowledge Enhancement Courses) available in some subjects – find out more here.
Is teaching a difficult job?
Yes, but we are here to help with making sure you will feel confident in every area of the role. There is a lot to learn but teaching is a fulfilling and rewarding profession.
How do I apply?
You can find out everything you need to know here https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training
What’s the interview process?
We will invite you to teach a ‘mini lesson’ on an agreed topic – perhaps 20 minutes with some carefully selected students. The purpose is to find out whether you enjoy it, rather than to assess you – hopefully it will confirm for you that teaching is a job you will enjoy. We will also ask you some questions about your motivations to teach, and your subject knowledge, but we keep things as informal as possible and will include a tour of the school and the opportunity to ask any questions you might have.