These are intensive courses which take place before an ITT course and are specifically for graduates who need to develop a greater depth of subject understanding before they start their training to gain qualified teacher status. Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses are for applicants who have secured a place on an ITT course to teach secondary mathematics, physics, chemistry, ICT, Modern Languages or D&T In the East Midlands SKE courses are available in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and ICT and vary in length from two weeks to three terms
Who are Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses suitable for?
These courses are for graduates with experience of the subject to at least A-level standard. This could be through holding an A-level in the subject, having an element of it in their degree course and/or occupational experience of the subject. ITT Providers would have assessed a candidates’ subject knowledge, (against QTS Standard Q14), at interview and identified a need for additional subject knowledge training before starting their one-year ITT course (PGCE or GTP). The candidate would receive a conditional offer based on successful SKE course completion (or equivalent). Students whose ITT place is not funded by the TDA (that is, PGCE students who are not eligible for home fees) are not eligible for SKE courses.
What funding is available to SKE students?
Students on eligible longer SKE courses are paid a weekly bursary, and the level of this varies according to subject.
Where can I find out more about SKE courses?
For more information about SKE courses, available in the East Midlands, and their suitability for individual candidates, please see the course summaries. For further information about SKE, funding and SKE courses available nationally, SKE Referral Guidance and SKE Funding Manual, please visit the TDA website.
If you have any specific queries please contact the TDA’s allocations team directly via allocations@tda.gov.uk .
