Teacher Training

Our schools across the MAT are proud to work with a range of excellent Higher Education Institutes and training partners attracting the very best graduates into teaching. Excellent Initial Teacher Training programmes are key to recruiting the highest calibre of graduates wanting a career in teaching.

Cockburn School and Cockburn John Charles Academy currently work with The Gorse SCITT, Leeds SCITT and Teach First, in providing mentored training programmes in school for trainees on their way to achieving their Post Graduate Certificates in Education (PGCE). Cockburn School also works with Leeds Beckett University and Leeds Trinity University. Cockburn Laurence Calvert Academy will begin to host trainee teachers during the 2022-23 academic year. Middleton Primary School also have a longstanding history of working with teacher training providers.

Prospective teachers from across an extensive range of subject specialisms can apply to train by clicking the links below.


Cockburn School and Cockburn John Charles Academy are strategic partners in The Gorse SCITT (Ofsted - Outstanding 2017 and 2023) , formerly called The Leeds Teaching School Alliance. Other partners include The Morley Academy, The Farnley Academy, The Ruth Gorse Academy, Allerton High School, Horsforth School, Elliott Hudson College and The Bruntcliffe Academy. As a crucial partner, they offer a fresh and dynamic route into teaching where we award Qualified Teacher Status made up to a complete PGCE via the Masters level work conferred by Sunderland University.

The SCITT has a successful track record of developing outstanding secondary school teachers. They have excellent rates of employability of our graduates both within their alliance schools and also elsewhere in the Yorkshire region and beyond. Schools across the Cockburn MAT are proud to have employed a number of these graduates.

All of the schools in our partnership have a track record of outstanding and transformational provision for young people and a strong commitment to developing outstanding future teaching professionals. The school placements offer experience of the real world of education in schools where excellence is modelled and supported. This ensures a solid foundation for development towards Qualified Teacher Status and a successful teaching career.

Across their partner schools there are many Subject Experts, Specialist Leaders of Education, Advanced Skills Teachers, Trained Coaches, Mentors and Outstanding Leaders to support and guide trainees through their first year in teaching.

Click here for the link to the Gorse SCITT


The Cockburn MAT is a strategic partner of Leeds Trinity SCITT (Ofsted - Good 2022) and Lead School for Art & Design, Music, Dance and Drama PGCE training and has been responsible for leading the in-school provision for a number of trainee art/performing arts teachers since 2014. Cockburn John Charles Academy is a host school for Leeds SCITT trainees.

School Centred Initial Teacher Training courses are ideal for any graduate who wishes to complete their teacher training within a school environment. As all Trinity SCITT courses are led by local active teaching professionals, trainees can expect to receive a high level of training and support from both inside and outside the classroom. That’s why if trainees are passionate about working within a teaching environment and eager to develop confidence and understanding as a teacher, a School Centred Initial Teacher Training course is a fantastic choice for them.

Leeds SCITT courses offer a full Professional-Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and 60 Masters credits.

Click here for more information about the Leeds Trinity SCITT route into teaching.


Cockburn MAT is also proud to work with Leeds Beckett University, Teach First and Troops to Teachers.