Train to teach

OTT is River Learning Trust’s accredited provider of school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire. Since 2013 it has trained hundreds of early career teachers (ECTs) and provided fantastic teachers to the region’s schools.

In 2017 and again in 2023 it was graded outstanding in all areas, a rating that reflects OTT’s commitment, ethos and passion for education and improving young people’s lives.

The vast majority of its graduate associate teachers are still teaching in Oxfordshire and many are entering leadership and senior management positions in their schools.

OTT offers a wide range of high quality programmes across nursery, primary, special and secondary education, which suit applicants of all backgrounds and circumstances.

The programmes all lead to qualified teacher status (QTS). Trainees also have the option to add a master’s level postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) to their programme.

The OTT SCITT Apprenticeship Route to QTS offers an excellent opportunity for experienced school colleagues to earn their Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) while continuing to work in their employing school setting. This full-time, apprenticeship training programme is designed to develop teaching skills through a blend of in-school experience and structured curriculum learning  (off-the- job training). While training on the PGTA route, you will combine teaching in your employing school with training sessions with the SCITT. You are paid a salary throughout and your course fee is paid via the apprenticeship levy, so there is no cost to individual applicants on this route.

OTT is based at The Cherwell School in Oxford and operates regional hubs, including the southern hub which is located at Gillotts. If you train with OTT, you could have a placement at Gillotts, as well as completing your central training with us.

Get into teaching with OTT SCITT

We also train teachers in partnership with the University of Oxford’s Department of Education and the University of Reading’s Institute of Education.