National Computing School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) - Grant Competition

Tender description

The Department for Education (DfE) is responsible for children's services and education, including higher and further education policy, apprenticeships and wider skills in England. The purpose of introducing subject-specific national SCITTs is to create a unique and high quality school-led offer in shortage EBacc subjects. Unlike other SCITTs, national SCITT partnerships are to operate across the country, utilising the resource and expertise of professional sector organisations and the independent sector. The DfE is looking for an exceptional organisation to support the delivery of a national SCITT for computer science. The objectives for the National Computing SCITT are to: 1. Build and establish a National Computing SCITT, which would oversee a national network of SCITT provision to train trainees in computer science. This will include: - Scaling up existing provision for a national reach or establishing new provision (through the accreditation process) - Develop delivery infrastructure for a national network of 8 hubs by the end of summer 2020 including both state and independent school partners - Making a significant contribution to increasing the current supply of computer science teachers. (Recruit 40 (additional) computing trainees per year which could be a phased target) - Become self-sustaining without the need for additional funding - Have strong university links by working in partnerships with universities, enabling trainee teachers to gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) alongside working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). 2. Establish tangible links to network of business and industry providers who will offer support and resource to trainees (this part of the partnership is especially important making the programme significantly different and an improved training offer) 3. Link up with the National Centre of Computing Education (NCCE) to understand best practice in computing pedagogy, working with computing science departments in universities, and as the focal point for engagement between the education sector and digital industries. Grant funding is to support the establishment of a minimum of eight partnership hubs and create capacity for up to 40 trainees in computer science each year. The purpose of funding is to provide any new provider with the funds to hire the additional resource necessary to build their partnerships and increase capacity nationally.