These usually comprise the equivalent of two weeks' study or up to six months. Depending on the course and the course provider, this might be all in one go or spread over a longer period part-time, possibly through evening drop-in sessions or weekend courses.
These courses are aimed at those who have already been offered a place on a postgraduate initial teacher training (ITT) course, subject to completion of an SKE course. The courses will help you identify your individual training needs and top up your subject knowledge in areas that would be difficult to address on your own, such as certain practical elements of chemistry or physics.
What SKE courses are available?
There are currently courses available for the following secondary-phase subjects:
How long do the courses take?
Most SKE courses comprise the equivalent of two weeks' study, but some may be longer. Your chosen course provider may have courses of different length depending on whether you need a quick top-up or some in-depth knowledge. Depending on the individual course, you can take this all in one go as a full-time course, or spread over a longer period part-time.
Where and when are the courses available?
SKE courses are available all over England. Details of when they are available are included in each course's details. You can search for an SKE course online
Applying for SKE courses
You must have a valid Teaching Agency registration number before you can apply for an SKE course. If you don't have one yet, sign up with the Teaching Agency now
If you think you need to go on an SKE course, you should first apply to an ITT course. If the course provider considers you to have the attributes to make a good teacher, they may offer you a conditional ITT place and refer you to the SKE courses in your region. It is also a good idea to contact the SKE course provider in your region directly.
If you are applying for a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE), you can indicate on your application form that you are interested in doing a SKE course.
To find out more about a course you can:
- call your local SKE course provider directly
- speak to one of our Teaching Information Line (TIL) consultants on 0800 389 2500
After your SKE course
Upon your successful completion of one of these courses, you are expected to go straight into an ITT course leading to qualified teacher status (QTS). Your options in this respect will be:
- postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)
- Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP)
Already achieved QTS, but need to boost your subject knowledge?
The Government is committed to ensuring that as many maths, physics and chemistry lessons as possible are taught by specialists in the relevant areas. Therefore there continues to be a need for teachers to be able to improve their knowledge of these subjects, either as a result of a change in role or where they are returning to teach and need to re-train in a different specialism.
The Teaching Agency is currently piloting post-ITT SKE courses designed to increase the mathematics, chemistry and physics knowledge of serving and returning teachers. Now that the Mathematics Development Programme for Teachers (MDPT) and Science Additional Specialist Programme (SASP) courses are completed, the new post-ITT SKE courses are being piloted, building on the success of previous SKE courses. The new courses are run by various ITT providers around the country.
If you currently hold a teaching post, please call the Teaching Information Line (TIL) on 0800 389 2500 to find a course in your area.
Qualified teachers not currently working in the maintained sector are eligible for these courses to train in a new discipline or refresh their knowledge. Contact the Return to Teaching Helpline on 0845 6000 993 to discuss your needs, and receive contact details of SKE pilot providers so you can apply for a course. Find out more about SKE courses for returners
Before you apply for a place on one of these courses, you need to check that you meet the eligibility criteria. To attend a post-ITT SKE course, you must:
- have QTS in England to teach either primary or secondary phases. This includes European Economic Area (EEA) nationals whose teaching qualification is considered to be equivalent to QTS
- not have an ITT specialism in mathematics, physics or chemistry, but have either experience of teaching these subjects or a degree with a significant element of one of these subjects, or
- have an ITT specialism in mathematics, physics or chemistry but have been out of teaching for an extended period of time (more than three years).
SKE courses are not available in Wales, but you can complete a Prepare to Teach course, which will give you the opportunity to sample teaching while boosting your subject knowledge.
Prepare to Teach courses are available in these secondary subjects:
For more details about Prepare to Teach courses, please contact Clare Schroder on 029 2039 7911, or email c.a.schroder@open.ac.uk You can also visit Teacher Education and Training in Wales for more information.
