Teacher Training

To apply for our teacher training courses in Preston, you will need to meet the following entry requirements:

• GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C or above
• A minimum 2:2 degree in a subject related to your chosen teaching specialism
• A genuine interest in teaching and working with young people across secondary school or college settings

Before starting the programme, you should also complete between 5 and 10 days of classroom observation experience within a school or college environment. This helps demonstrate your commitment to teaching and gives you valuable insight into day-to-day classroom life.

You do not need to complete your observations before applying to the Catholic Teaching Alliance (CTA). However, during the interview process, you should be able to show that you are arranging relevant teaching experience and beginning to explore a career in education.

As part of our teacher training programme in Preston, you will complete one placement at Cardinal Newman College and another within one of our Catholic Teaching Alliance (CTA) partner schools. This gives trainees experience across both 11–16 and 16–18 education settings, helping you build wider classroom experience and stronger employment prospects after qualifying.

Our teacher training courses in Preston also offer opportunities to specialise in subjects that are less commonly available through other providers, including Law, Criminology and Sociology within Social Sciences. These subject areas continue to grow in popularity, and we are proud to support the next generation of specialist teachers.

Our teacher training programmes in Preston combine university-led learning with hands-on classroom experience across secondary school and sixth form settings. Throughout the programme, you will receive support from experienced teachers, subject mentors and university tutors whilst developing practical teaching skills in real educational environments.

During the course, you can expect:

• One placement within a secondary school and another at Cardinal Newman College
• A university-led postgraduate qualification delivered alongside the University of Cumbria
• Subject Study days designed to help you apply teaching theory within the classroom
• Ongoing support with assignments, lesson planning and teaching techniques
• Experience teaching across both 11–16 and 16–18 education settings

Teacher training lasts one academic year and is studied full-time. From September to December, you will usually spend four days per week on placement alongside one training day with experts from Cardinal Newman, Our Lady’s or the University of Cumbria. From January to June, you will move onto your second placement full-time within one of our partner schools or colleges.

As part of our teacher training programme in Preston, you will complete one placement at Cardinal Newman College and another within one of our partner secondary schools across Lancashire. This gives trainees valuable experience across different classroom settings, helping you build confidence teaching students aged 11–18.

At Cardinal Newman College, we are committed to supporting trainee teachers throughout every stage of their teacher training journey. From your first application through to completing the programme, you will receive guidance from experienced teachers, mentors and university tutors. Our aim is to help every trainee build confidence in the classroom and prepare for a successful career in teaching.

Our teacher training courses in Preston are supported by an experienced team of teachers, mentors and education professionals who will guide you throughout the programme. This includes:

• Vice Principal: Vicky Bryant
• Programme Leader: Michelle Holland
• A Subject Mentor during each school and college placement
• A School Lead Mentor who oversees your training and development within their setting
• A University Lead Mentor who supports academic assignments contributing towards your PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

You will also receive pre and post-course support to help you apply for the right teacher training course and prepare for a successful career in education.

Many of our trainee teachers go on to secure teaching roles shortly after completing their teacher training PCGE course in Preston. Our placements across schools and colleges help trainees build valuable classroom experience and prepare for careers across secondary and further education settings.

Recent employment destinations include:

• Emily – English – Rochdale Sixth Form College
• Victoria – Dance – AKS
• Ben – Economics – Cardinal Newman College
• Chelsea – Health & Social Care – Cardinal Newman College
• Hafsa – Biology – Our Lady’s Catholic High School
• Joseph – Maths – Carmel College
• Megan – Social Sciences – Blackpool Sixth Form College
• Jack – English – St George’s High School

"Newman is a great place to train for a career in teaching. Throughout the year I’ve been very well supported by a mentor who specialises in my subject. Regular meetings with my mentor provide the perfect environment to discuss my development and set targets for upcoming lessons. We discuss everything from subject knowledge to overall workload and it’s really valuable being able to ask any questions I have. As the weeks go by you gain more and more independence but never feel left alone. At no point in the year have I wished that I had more support from Newman, it’s been exactly what I needed and hoped for."

Ben, Economics Trainee

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my training with the CTA, especially having Cardinal Newman College as my training hub and second placement. I couldn’t have asked for any more support, help or advice from both my subject mentor and professional mentors. Everyone that I have worked with at Cardinal Newman College has been helpful and made this a great, fulfilling experience. I couldn’t have imagined training anywhere else. I would highly recommend the training programme at Cardinal Newman College."

Charlotte, Business Studies Trainee

"Training to teach at Cardinal Newman College is fantastic. The College and staff have committed to fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment to help develop me as a teacher. I have been assigned a mentor who is a specialist in the subject area, whom I have regular contact with and a weekly meeting to ensure I am always progressing and meeting my targets. My mentor always checks in on my wellbeing with the workload and always gives me an opportunity to ask questions. I have been given a real taste of the life of a teacher and have always been given immeasurable amounts of support. Overall, the experience has been faultless, and I could not ask for anything more."

Meghanne, Sociology (Social Sciences) Trainee

"Training at Newman has been the best possible start to my career as a teacher. During my time at the College, I have been continuously supported by my mentors as well as the teachers in my department. I have never struggled to find resources or plan a lesson, as all members of staff at Newman have been friendly and accommodating. During weekly meetings with my subject mentor, I am able to ask questions and plan for progression. This is incredibly useful for building my skill-set as a teacher. I feel involved with wider College life and I thoroughly enjoy teaching at Newman."

Emily, English Trainee

"Newman has been the best possible start to my teaching career, I have been very well supported by my subject mentor and all the staff within my department, setting weekly targets has really helped further my learning. During my time here, I have been lucky enough to be involved in creating multiple dance and musical theatre pieces for the Dance and Musical Theatre Christmas show, which I am immensely proud of. As the weeks go on, I have seen not only my confidence grow within myself as a teacher but also my rapport with the students and staff alike. Newman really does provide all the key relevant skills to kickstart your teaching career."

Victoria, Dance Trainee  

Looking for a teacher training course in Preston? Explore the latest PGCE and teacher training courses available through the GOV.UK website, including subject-specific routes and application information.

Find Postgraduate Teacher Training Courses

The Get Into Teaching website provides helpful information about qualifications, funding, bursaries and the different routes into teaching. You can also explore how to train to teach and find guidance on starting a career in education.

Get Into Teaching

Before starting a PGCE or teacher training course in Preston, you may have questions about funding and financial support. Depending on your chosen subject, bursaries, scholarships and student finance may be available to help cover the cost of your training.

You can find the latest information about teacher training funding, bursaries and loans on the Get Into Teaching website below.

Funding Your Teacher Training

Bursary

Depending on your chosen subject, you may be eligible for a teacher training bursary to help support your PGCE studies. Bursary amounts can vary by subject area and are designed to support trainees entering high-demand teaching specialisms. 

Below are the current bursary amounts available for eligible teacher training courses.

For more information, contact:

Programme Lead - Michelle Holland