Frequently asked questions

What are your requirements?

We are looking for excellent graduates who are committed to making a difference for the young people in Bradford and Leeds. You should be able to work well in a team of highly professional staff in our successful and aspirational academies.

You must have:

• a strong belief in the potential of every child, regardless of their background

• strong academic qualifications:

• 2:2 or above in a degree linked to the subject you want to teach
• Good A Levels or strong equivalents linked to the subject you want to teach
• Strong GCSEs including Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths
• For Primary, a Science GCSE Grade C/4 or above

• a passion for teaching and a love of your subject
• the ability to reflect on feedback and act on it to improve
• resilience and determination, enabling you to make a difference for the young people you will teach

How many places are available for the course? 

Each course has a varying number of placements on offer. Our course is highly competitive and places fill up fast so we strongly recommend early application. Our course information is updated on Apply and on our website so you will be able to see if a course is still open.

Click here to see which courses are still open

When do you stop accepting applications?

Applications close at the beginning of July, and we encourage early application.

What are your expectations around prior school experience?

School experience is desirable but not essential. If you are offered a place and we feel you would benefit from school experience, we will arrange for you to spend at least a day of school experience in a Dixons academy.

How is a typical day on your secondary course organised?

In Stage A (September to December), you will be in school from Monday to Thursday. On Friday, you are based at Dixons Centre for Growth where you will have a Professional Education Studies session with Charlotte Wright, Senior Lecturer at Leeds Trinity University. In Stage B (January to June), you are in school from Monday to Friday. Start and finish times vary based on which academy you are based in. A typical week includes: a mentor meeting; a subject knowledge development session; a Professional Studies session with other trainees and the chance to observe teaching and teach. The teaching load increases gradually, and you are supported every step of the way through expert coaching and guidance.

Will there be any additional opportunities available to me, such as working with SEN students, or helping with extra-curricular activities?

You will have the opportunity to work with a range of students during Stage A and B. One of your PGCE assignments requires you to consider how to best support the learning in your subject of students with a specific learning or inclusion need. After the Easter holidays, if your mentor feels you are ready, you also have the option of increasing your teaching load and getting experience outside your subject area e.g. you could be based in the Individual Needs department or support an extracurricular club. The wider development of our students is hugely important to us and Performing Arts and Sport, in particular, are areas of strength across our academies. You may also have the opportunity to accompany students on trips and visits.

What are your expectations for meetings?

Trainees are expected to attend all meetings and training sessions as part of fulfilling wider professional responsibilities. Trainees are also expected to attend Parents’ Evenings.

How is the ‘out of the classroom’ training for secondary organised. Where does it take place and when?

There is:

• An Induction Day in July and frequent correspondence with the Dixons Centre for Growth team before you start the course.
• Centre based training in September, December and June*
• Opportunities to attend Trust-wide Dixons Centre for Growth training and training organised by Bradford Research school
• Regular responsive training organised by the Dixons Centre for Growth team

• Weekly Professional Studies training

*Centre-based training is where the whole cohort trains together as a group

Do you offer visa sponsorship for international students?

Our provider for secondary ITT, Leeds Trinity University, allows visa sponsorship for international students and they can be contacted directly should you require further information about this: ITTadmissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk

Our provider for primary ITT, Bradford Birth to 19, do not sponsor visa applications so if you do not have the right to work in the UK, should you wish to apply, your application will be rejected. Other providers may have different criteria.

How can I check to see if my international qualifications are suitable?

Candidates with qualifications from non-UK institutions may need to provide evidence of comparability by applying for a UK ENIC statement.

Do you accept CVs if I choose to apply for teacher training?

All applications will be submitted through the DfE Apply system so there is no need to send CVs/resumes and they will not be checked. Apply here.

If you require further information, please complete our enquiry form so we can fully support and advise you with your application.

Do you offer SKEs for my subject and how long would it be for?

The link here gives information about which subjects are eligible for SKEs.

Please note that the offer of an SKE and the duration will be specific to your application and will be discussed if you are offered a place.

What support will I receive as a Dixons trainee?

You will receive support from the Dixons teacher training team as soon as you accept your place to train to teach with us. You will attend an Induction Day in July, and we will be in regular communication with you before then to answer any questions you may have. We also offer more bespoke support to any trainees who are relocating.

At the start of the course, you will be assigned an ITT mentor in your academy who is responsible for your professional development. Our mentors are fantastic and aim to develop the ‘whole’ person, so you thrive during your training year and are prepared for the rest of your teaching career. You will also be supported by the ITT Lead in your academy who is responsible for training trainee teachers and ensuring you are successful during your placement. Our schools are very supportive, and everyone is happy to help. Our trainees often comment on how supported they feel by everyone in the school, not just their department.

To develop personal skills, we provide training on maximising resilience and trainees have found this helpful in supporting them to control the controllables and develop healthy habits. We ask for trainee feedback regularly and strive to improve our provision by acting on feedback. All trainees and employees at Dixons Academies Trust have access to a free employee assistance programme, Validium. There are also one to one meetings with the Head of Dixons Teacher Training once every stage and Link Tutor visits organised by Leeds Trinity University. We pride ourselves on the support we offer and aim to respond to emails within 24 hours.

What do I do if I want to make a complaint?

We work hard to ensure all potential applicants, applicants and trainees have a positive experience with us. We welcome feedback and the opportunity to discuss any concerns or queries you may have. Should you wish to complain formally, please refer to the details here:

Complaints Procedure (leedstrinity.ac.uk)