Primary PGCE & Primary PGCE (SEND)

*Applications are now open for September 2025.
*We are now also offering a special educational needs and disabilities pathway. 

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE PGCE PRIMARY (WITH QTS)
CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE PGCE PRIMARY (WITH QTS) SEND PATHWAY

Accredited body: Associated Merseyside Partnership SCITT
Also partnered with Liverpool Hope University. 







This course is aimed at those wishing to gain the skills, knowledge and qualifications to secure a ‘full’ teaching role in the Primary Education and Training sector. A ‘full role’ is defined as the delivery of teaching or training that involves: the planning (e.g. schemes of work and lesson planning) and the delivery of teaching and learning activity; the assessment of learners; and related student support.

On this Initial Teacher Training course, you will train to be a primary school teacher and will complete the course with Qualified Teacher Status and a PGCE. We will build your knowledge and teaching ability so that you can become a confident and inspiring practitioner, with the ability to spark children's imaginations and learning.

The course length is one year.

Students accepted onto this programme are generally entitled to a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England. Further information on student finance can be found in the accompanying Student Finance Information booklet or at: www.gov.uk/studentfinance. Please note that it is your responsibility to apply for the loan.

*NEW ROUTE - Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Pathway*

We are now offering a new option for teachers interested in working with children with SEND. Our SEND pathway allows you to train to teach in both mainstream and special schools to gain QTS and PGCE.

The SEND pathway is available in primary and will prepare you for a post in special or mainstream schools. Trainee teachers on the SEND pathway will work alongside our trainees on the main programme. Our training curriculum consists of:

  • Subject based training
  • Centre based training
  • School based training
  • Four weeks of intensive training and practise
  • Focused coaching and mentoring

    *Your home placement school will most likely be a SEND school with a contrasting away placement in a mainstream setting.

If you are interested in this pathway, please apply on the links above, or contact us on 0161 6668215 or HEadmissions@asfc.ac.uk.


What is QTS status? 

Qualified teacher status (QTS) is a legal requirement to teach in many English schools and is considered desirable for teachers in the majority of schools in England. 

Get into Teaching explains teacher training routes to QTS for UK citizens.

You can find more information about QTS status here. 
 

Email HEadmissions@asfc.ac.uk for any enquiries.

Laura G - Nursery Teacher

I absolutely loved training at Ashton. All my placement schools were fantastic. Since finishing the course, I secured a job as a year 2 teacher. Finishing my NQT year I moved to teach Nursery (my dream job!) at the same school. I would highly recommend Ashton as the place to study to become a Teacher. Not only was the course amazing but I also made friends for life.

Sarah B - Teacher

"Doing my PGCE through Ashton Sixth Form College gave me the opportunity to work straight away from starting the course unlike other courses - I gained so much experience being in a placement setting from the very beginning. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly, ensuring that we all received well rounded training to prepare us for our careers as teachers."

Hannah B - Reception Teacher

"I am now teaching reception in a two form entry school in Buxton and I’m really enjoying it. There’s definitely lots of challenges but I think ASFC definitely gave me the insight I needed into teaching because the staff have been teachers themselves. It felt very personal and I really enjoyed learning from the staff’s past experiences!"

Jessica A - Teacher

"I have successfully secured a teaching role as a year 4 teacher in a school, that I will be starting in September 2022. The PGCE Primary (School Direct) course has enabled me to finally become the teacher I have always wanted to be and allowed me to feel confident in my ability. The course is intense, but with the fantastic support from my tutor, Sharron, I now feel prepared for a full-time teaching role".

Joshua F- Teacher

"I have secured a teaching role as a year 2 teacher at a school in Oldham. I will be starting the role in September 2022, and can't wait. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the course and valued my tutor, Sharron. Her support and guidance over the year and sharing her own experiences of teaching with us, will unquestionably help me in my own career."

Lee B - Teacher

"I’m teaching in Year 5 and loving the job! I would recommend ASFC to anyone wishing to become a Primary School Teacher. The ASFC team is supportive and accessible, providing an individualised and tailored offer to meet student needs. The college offers high-quality teaching and support. From a personal perspective, the support I received throughout my learning journey was second to none."

Laura G - Nursery Teacher

I absolutely loved training at Ashton. All my placement schools were fantastic. Since finishing the course, I secured a job as a year 2 teacher. Finishing my NQT year I moved to teach Nursery (my dream job!) at the same school. I would highly recommend Ashton as the place to study to become a Teacher. Not only was the course amazing but I also made friends for life.

Sarah B - Teacher

"Doing my PGCE through Ashton Sixth Form College gave me the opportunity to work straight away from starting the course unlike other courses - I gained so much experience being in a placement setting from the very beginning. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly, ensuring that we all received well rounded training to prepare us for our careers as teachers."

Hannah B - Reception Teacher

"I am now teaching reception in a two form entry school in Buxton and I’m really enjoying it. There’s definitely lots of challenges but I think ASFC definitely gave me the insight I needed into teaching because the staff have been teachers themselves. It felt very personal and I really enjoyed learning from the staff’s past experiences!"

Jessica A - Teacher

"I have successfully secured a teaching role as a year 4 teacher in a school, that I will be starting in September 2022. The PGCE Primary (School Direct) course has enabled me to finally become the teacher I have always wanted to be and allowed me to feel confident in my ability. The course is intense, but with the fantastic support from my tutor, Sharron, I now feel prepared for a full-time teaching role".

Joshua F- Teacher

"I have secured a teaching role as a year 2 teacher at a school in Oldham. I will be starting the role in September 2022, and can't wait. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the course and valued my tutor, Sharron. Her support and guidance over the year and sharing her own experiences of teaching with us, will unquestionably help me in my own career."

Lee B - Teacher

"I’m teaching in Year 5 and loving the job! I would recommend ASFC to anyone wishing to become a Primary School Teacher. The ASFC team is supportive and accessible, providing an individualised and tailored offer to meet student needs. The college offers high-quality teaching and support. From a personal perspective, the support I received throughout my learning journey was second to none."