GovWire

This guidance is for:

• subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) providers
• initial teacher training (ITT) providers
• School Direct lead schools

If youre an applicant to an ITT course, visit our SKE page on the Get into Teaching website.

You can use the subject knowledge enhancement: course directory to find a suitable provider.

Overview

As a School Direct lead school or anITTprovider, you may see applicants who have the potential to become outstanding teachers but who need to increase their subject knowledge before the teachers standards can be met. SKEcourses can help you to feel confident that the applicant can be recruited.

The Department for Education (DfE) currently funds SKE courses in primary mathematics and 9 secondary subjects:

• biology
• chemistry
• computing
• design and technology
• English
• languages
• mathematics
• physics
• religious education (8 weeks only)

PE with Ebacc applicants can also access an 8-week SKE in an Ebacc subject where an SKE is available, and they meet the eligibility requirements.

Dual language SKE courses

Applicants who need to complete a dual language SKE course should take:

• a short 8-week course in their main language
• a longer course of up to 28 weeks in the other language

Only applicants who have received a conditional offer in a languages ITT, which specifies the completion of a (dual) SKE course as a condition of their offer, will be eligible for a dual language SKE course.

SKE eligibility

To be eligible to undertake a DfE-funded SKE, applicants need to:

• meet the eligibility requirements to train to teach in England
• accept a conditional offer which specifies the requirement to complete an SKE course

Applicants who have a degree, postgraduate degree or joint degree in their chosenITTsubject which has been awarded in the previous 5 years, are not eligible to complete a DfE-fundedSKEcourse. DfE does not fund SKE courses for individuals who have already obtained qualified teacher status (QTS).

SKE bursary

Applicants may also be eligible to receive an SKE bursary if:

• they have at least a bachelors degree 2:2 classification in their degree subject or a masters degree or PhD
• they are undertaking theirSKEcourse before startingITT, or up to the point they start ITT if their SKE course overlaps with ITT
• they are entitled to support under the student finance criteria (with the exception of non-UK applicants undertaking languages or physics)

If a participant is undertaking an SKE course in parallel with their ITT, they are not eligible for a bursary.

SKE bursaries cannot be claimed retrospectively after completion of ITT. Where a provider becomes aware of an applicant withdrawing from ITT before their SKE is complete, their SKE course and SKE bursary should stop.

SKE eligibility for non-UK applicants

Applicants undertaking a face-to-face SKE need permission to study in the UK. Candidates on an existing visa should check that their visa allows them to study. If they do not already have a visa or relevant permission, they will:

• need to apply for a visitor visa to undertake their SKE course
• be restricted on the type of provider and duration of their course if SKE is delivered face-to-face (maximum of 26 weeks)

If undertaking an SKE course online from inside or outside the UK, there are no restrictions of the type of provider and the maximum course duration remains at 28 weeks. No immigration permission is required for non-UK applicants studying online from outside the UK, but those already within the UK should ensure they hold an appropriate visa.

The SKE bursary is only available to non-UK applicants who are undertaking a tuition fee-based ITT course in England and are eligible for support under the student finance criteria. This is dependent on their immigration or residency status.

Non-UK applicants who are funding a tuition fee-based physics or languages teacher training course in England, are also eligible for an SKE bursary regardless of if they are entitled, or not entitled, to support under the student finance criteria. This also applies to School Direct salaried courses in physics and languages, up to the point they receive a School Direct salary.

How to know if an applicant needs SKE

The need for SKE is usually identified by a school or provider during the recruitment and selection process. This could be:

• when the applicant is undertaking school experience
• during discussions with the applicant before they apply
• from the application form
• during the applicants interview

Applicants may need more specific subject knowledge to begin an ITT course if they have:

• a different but related degree to the subject they want to teach
• studied the subject at A level but not degree level
• an unrelated degree but relevant professional knowledge in the subject
• studied for a languages degree but need a second language at an acceptable level for teaching in schools
• a degree in the subject but have not used their degree knowledge for many years

Referring a participant for SKE

Applicants must have freedom of choice regarding their SKE provider and should use DfEs SKE provider directory to aid their choice. ITT providers may support participants but must not make it a condition of their ITT offer to undertake an SKE course with a particular institution.

Once an applicant has chosen their SKE course provider, their SKE provider will ask the ITT provider to complete a referral form to ensure a consistent approach to collecting applicant information. The SKE provider will then enrol the applicant onto a course and claim funding from DfE.

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