Train to Teach

Welcome to SATA

Are you looking for a career change?  Are you currently assisting teachers within a school? Do you aspire to be a teacher yourself? We require for September 2025 excellent graduates to join our team as trainee teachers.  Applications from all graduates will be welcomed.

SATA (St Andrew’s Teaching Alliance) is a Lead School working with the University of Reading to train teachers.  We are looking to recruit graduate trainees for the coming academic year.

The course will last for one year and result in the attainment of qualified teacher status (QTS).

St. Andrew’s Church of England Primary School is a friendly and popular school, set at the foot of the Chiltern Hills amid stunning grounds.

Our school vision states:

We aim to bring children to a place where they can realise their full potential. Our Christian values are the foundation of all we do and each one is a facet of the central value, love, which ‘always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.’ (1Corinthians 13:7)

Protect, Trust, Hope and Persevere

In May 2013, the school was rated ‘Outstanding’ in every area by Ofsted. Inspectors noted, “Pupils enjoy all aspects of school. Their outstanding behaviour supports learning very well and ensures that the school is a calm, harmonious environment.”

In March 2023, St. Andrew’s was graded “Excellent” following the SIAMS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools) inspection. The report states, “Motivated by the school’s vision, St Andrew’s leaders have created a dynamic, vibrant, and exciting learning community. It is seen as a beacon within the diocese where it shares its innovative practice, particularly as global citizens.”

If you wish to join us and believe you have the necessary skills, qualifications and personal attributes, please read on - we would be delighted to hear from you.

Professional Skills Tests

International Qualification

SATA Testimonial - Meet Emily

Emily trained with SATA.

"Completing my teacher training through SATA was the best decision I could have made with my teaching journey. The ‘on-the-job’ training and experience is invaluable – you see, and are involved in, every aspect of school life throughout the entire year. From the first day of school, transitions, plays, performances and planning, to parents’ evenings and sports day, all the aspects which could be incredibly daunting going into your first teaching post, you have already been a part of.

Being attached to a class means that you build amazing teacher-pupil (and teacher-parent!) relationships. A 6 week placement at a different school pushes you out of your comfort zone and allows you to see a different school environment and new ways of doing things.

You are treated as a teacher and encouraged to take on the responsibility and thinking of one; but the support, mentoring and teamwork is fantastic and means that you can go through the year with confidence. Weekly observations and meetings with your teacher tutor are a great opportunity to reflect and set targets to ensure your continuous progression.

The teaching load gradually increases throughout the year to ensure that you are ready for the transition into your NQT year – I am finishing my year feeling as though I am already a valued teacher within a fantastic school. There are always people to help you, no matter how minor you think your question may be – one piece of advice I would give is to ask as many questions as you can. There is a wealth of experience within the school, use it!

I have now been lucky enough to have been offered a teaching position at St Andrew's CE Primary School, a role which I am confident and excited to take on thanks to the experience I have had this year."

Overview of Role

You will train in two good schools with the opportunity to work alongside professionals in a practical and theoretical way.  You will be part of a team from the very start, receiving intensive support from experienced teachers and mentors.

We are able to sponsor trainees to cover the QTS fees (£7,710). Trainees opting to complete the PGCE alongside QTS need to pay an additional £1,540 fees.

St. Andrew’s CE Primary School, Chinnor, Oxfordshire

Trainee Class teacher

Full time from September 2025 until July 2026

Sponsored (QTS fees are covered by the placement school)

Leading to QTS Course Code: 2DD

We can offer you:

A nurturing learning environment where all are respected and valued

Caring, well behaved and respectful children with positive attitudes to learning
An opportunity to work as part of an effective and supportive team
A commitment to all levels of staff training and development
Attractive, purpose-built classrooms with extensive outdoor areas

You will need to be:

An enthusiastic trainee with high expectations of achievement and behaviour
Committed to the Christian ethos and values of the school
Passionate about learning
Able to work well as a member of a team
Someone with excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Ambitious, energetic and hardworking

Would you like to be part of our exciting, happy and forward-thinking school? 

Visits to the school are warmly welcomed.

How to Apply

Apply via Apply https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training leading to QTS, course code: 2DD

Please contact Kendra Gerrish on the school telephone number 01844 351353 or email the school office: office.3182@st-andrews.oxon.sch.uk for further details, to find out when the next round of interviews is being held, or to arrange a visit to the school.

You can find courses on this website: https://www.gov.uk/find-postgraduate-teacher-training-courses

Course Codes:

B074 QTS only (ages 3-7/Early Years, Foundation Stage and KS1)

H208 Primary PGCE with QTS (ages 5-11/Years 1-6, KS1 and KS2)

L183 Primary PGCE with QTS (ages 3-7/Early Years, Foundation Stage and KS1)

R869 QTS only (ages 5-11/Years 1-6, KS1 and KS2)

Financing the Role

For some trainees, there is a range of financial support available:

Maintenance Grants
Maintenance Loans
Childcare Grants

Parents’ Learning Allowance
Disabled Students’ Allowance

For a full list of the grants and loans available, eligibility criteria and an online finance calculator or to apply for one of these grants/loans online, please visit: www.gov.uk

Alternatively, you may choose to pay the tuition fee out of private funds (SATA sponsors the QTS fees - £7,710 - and trainees opting to complete the PGCE alongside QTS need to pay the additional £1,540 in fees).

Person Specification

Criteria	Essential	Desirable
Qualifications and Experience	You need a degree to gain qualified teacher status (QTS) A standard equivalent to a GCSE grade C / grade 4 in Mathematics, English and a Science subject A minimum of 2 weeks work experience within a school You have to complete an audit in numeracy and literacy before you begin your teacher training.	Experience of more than one year group across the primary school age
Teaching and Learning	Awareness of the relevant procedures for the safeguarding of children	A good understanding and competence in IT
	High expectations of positive pupil behaviour
	A willingness to understand and know the New National Curriculum and other statutory requirements
	Enthusiasm to plan, organise and deliver an appropriate curriculum
	The ability to work effectively with the individual
	needs of all children
	To work with a Class Teacher to follow Assessment procedures including monitoring, evaluating and
	recording of individual children’s records to be used
	for target setting and tracking
	A strong commitment to raising standards through
	teaching and classroom management
	Well organised with high expectations of themselves
	and the children
	Show the potential for effective teaching and learning styles that help to create a happy, challenging and
	effective learning environment
	Understand the importance of providing a stimulating learning environment, both indoors and out.
Personal skills and qualities	An ability to communicate and empathise with children and adults at all levels A positive, enthusiastic approach to learning and gaining new skills through teamwork and training opportunities.	Willingness to contribute to the wider school community, for example, after school clubs/assemblies.
	To be creative, have the drive and enthusiasm to be
	a good team player
	To have good organisational skills and be reliable in
	fulfilling commitments
	To set standards and provide a role model for pupils and staff
	A commitment to continuing professional development
	A willingness to support out of hours learning
	Adapt to changing circumstances and new ideas
	Committed to the values of the school
	Ability to maintain confidentiality
	Have a sense of humour and perspective

Professional Skills Tests

Applicants applying for the 2024-25 cohort do not need to pass a skills test. However, a Maths and Literacy audit form part of the interview process. This will enable us to identify gaps to be covered during your training year.

International Qualifications

If you have received your qualifications abroad, you will need to check that they are equivalent to UK qualifications.  You can check your eligibility and obtain a ‘Statement of Comparability’ via UK ENIC: https://www.enic.org.uk/

School Information