Why study a PGCE at Leeds Trinity?

Leeds Trinity University was founded as a teacher training college in 1966.

Over the years, we've diversified and expanded, but an unwavering commitment to providing outstanding teacher training has remained at the very heart of Leeds Trinity.

This has led to us developing a reputation as one of the UK's most respected teacher training providers, based on a distinctive approach to teacher training that sets us apart.

"Trainees' understanding of how pupils learn is strong and deeply rooted in pertinent research. Their ability to apply research in practical ways and their understanding of the breadth of inclusion emerge clearly in their practice." - Ofsted 2023

When you train with us as an accredited provider, you'll have access to all the learning and support services you need. 

You'll also benefit from the extensive experience, support and specialist knowledge we bring to the structure and delivery of all our PGCE programmes.

The strength and longevity of our high-quality professional partnerships with hundreds of schools across the Yorkshire and the Humber region are key to the success of our trainee teachers.

We work collaboratively with our training partners to co-construct and co-deliver PGCE courses that meet the needs of today's education sector.

We'll help you to develop the knowledge, skills, experience and confidence needed to succeed in the classroom, so you'll be well prepared for your first teaching role when you graduate.

We work with a diverse range of schools - from small rural schools to large, inner-city high schools, where you will work as part of a multi-professional team.

Each school has specific areas of strength and challenges - from schools that are leading innovations in education, to schools that may have large intakes of vulnerable groups of children or who have difficulties in reaching outcome targets at the end of key stages.

We also work with faith schools that offer placement opportunities for our trainees, and you can study for a Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies as part of your PGCE.

When you train with Leeds Trinity, you will benefit from seeing best practice in school improvement, whichever school you train in.

Excellent teachers are passionate, hardworking, knowledgeable and confident.

We understand that no two trainees are the same, which is why we take a flexible approach to teacher training.

Whether you're progressing onto a PGCE straight after your undergraduate degree, changing careers or returning to education after some time away, we'll give you the support you need to succeed.

As a University, our student support is exceptional - in and out of the classroom.

You'll be appointed an individual personal tutor, who will work with you throughout the programme to support your academic and school-based progress, and school mentors who will review and support your professional teaching skills.

You'll also work alongside a range of expert colleagues in the school environment.

You'll receive high-quality, subject-specific training underpinned by recent evidence and research.

We'll prepare you to manage the workload of teaching and studying by providing you with a toolkit of methods that will help you plan and assess efficiently from day one.

Across all of our programmes, you'll be able to access our learning and support services.

This includes the library, classroom facilities, academic and study skills support and advice on student finance, health and wellbeing.

Our dedication to excellence in teaching is evident in the emphasis on research, scholarship and in-classroom practice, enriching the learning experience for all trainees. 

Teaching isn't a one-size-fits-all profession.

Every subject and age phase is different, which is why we centre our training and support on subject and age-specific knowledge and teaching practices.

Our primary and secondary subject specialist tutors are all experienced teachers and teacher educators, as well as leaders in each of their subjects. 

Our subject experts are actively involved in the teaching and education sector.

They have written textbooks, worked with examination boards in developing teaching specifications and contributed to national and international education research, as well as making groundbreaking contributions to education policy.

As well as supporting your learning, tutors also work externally with organisations such as the BBC, government departments, Multi-Academy Trusts and other educational partnerships.

Their research interests are far-reaching and include climate justice and sustainability, equality, diversity and student and teacher wellbeing, all of which are part of the curriculum we offer.

Leeds Trinity PGCE alumni have an excellent track record in securing their first jobs and progressing in their careers to senior positions – from headteachers and heads of pastoral care to founding schools abroad.

The majority of our trainees successfully secure a teaching job after graduation, with many finding suitable posts within a school they have trained in or in another of our partnership schools.

Schools that employ our graduates often tell us that they come to the role well-prepared, confident in the classroom and able to make an impact on the children they teach right from the start.

When you graduate and enter the teaching profession, you will become an Early Career Teacher (ECT).

All schools are required to provide ECTs with an Early Career Framework (ECF) – a programme of high-quality professional development based on evidence-based practice – for their first two years of teaching.

Leeds Trinity is an ECF delivery partner for the ECT induction programme, which comprises regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, mentor support and conferences. If you teach in a school that has chosen Leeds Trinity for its ECF delivery, then your relationship with us will continue during your time as an ECT.

Many of our PGCE graduates look to further their job prospects and opportunities for career progression by completing further study.

This includes Master’s programmes and a wide range of National Professional Qualifications (NPQs).

We offer a range of postgraduate programmes in areas including leadership, education, mental health and SEND, all aimed at those working in teaching, training, lecturing or support positions in education.

We offer generous alumni discounts and our PGCEs have credits that may contribute towards your chosen postgraduate and SEND programmes.