Subject knowledge enhancement: an introduction

This informationguidance is for initialsubject teacherknowledge trainingenhancement (SKE) providers, Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers and School Direct lead schools.

If you’re an applicant to an ITT course, visit our improveSKE your subject knowledge 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 an ITT provider 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. An SKE course can help you to feel confident that the applicant can be recruited.

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

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

AsPE awith SchoolEbacc Directapplicants leadcan schoolalso oraccess an ITT8 week SKE providerin youan mayEbacc seesubject where a SKE is available and they meet the eligibility requirements.

Dual language SKE courses are also available. Applicants who need to complete a dual language SKE course should take a short 8 week course in their main language and 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 potentialcompletion of a (dual) SKE course as a condition of their offer, will be eligible for a dual language SKE course.

SKE eligibility

Eligibility to becomeundertake outstandinga teachersDfE butfunded SKE is subject to an applicant meeting the eligibility requirements to train to teach in England and the applicant accepting a conditional offer which specifies the requirement to complete a SKE course.

Applicants who needhave a degree (or a joint degree) in their chosen ITT subject awarded in the previous 5 years are not eligible for a DfE funded SKE course.

SKE bursary

Applicants might also be eligible to increasereceive a SKE bursary if:

• they have at least a bachelor’s degree 2:2 classification in their degree subject knowledgeor a master’s degree or PhD
• they are undertaking their SKE course before starting ITT or up to the teachers’point standardsthey canstart to receive a salary if they are on a school direct salaried route
• they are entitled to support under the student finance criteria (with the exception of non-UK applicants undertaking languages or physics)

SKE bursaries cannot be met.claimed Anretrospectively after completion of ITT. Where a provider becomes aware of an applicant withdrawing from ITT before their SKE programmeis cancomplete, helptheir youSKE course and SKE bursary should stop.

SKE eligibility for non-UK applicants

Applicants undertaking a face-to-face SKE need permission to feelstudy confidentin the UK – candidates on an existing visa should check that their visa allows them to study. If they cando not already have permission they will need to apply for a visitor visa to undertake SKE and will be recruited.restricted on type of provider and duration of the course if SKE is delivered face-to-face (maximum of 26 weeks).

If undertaking an SKE 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 those studying online from outside the UK but those already within the UK will need to ensure they hold a relevant visa.

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

For ITT 2023, non-UK applicants who are funding a tuition fee-based physics or languages teacher training course in England are also eligible for a SKE bursary regardless of if they are entitled or not entitled to support under the student finance criteria. This also applies to School Direct (SD) salaried courses in physics and languages, up to the point they receive a SD 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 an individual before they apply
• from the application form
• during the applicant’s interview

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

• a degreedifferent that’sbut related degree to the subject ratherthey thanwant anto exact match for itteach
• studied the subject at A level,level but not degree level
• an unrelated degree but relevant professional knowledge in the subject
• studied for a languages degree,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

Applicants who have a degree in their chosen ITT subject awarded in the previous 5 years are not eligible for a funded SKE course.

Referring a participant for SKE

The applicant’s SKE provider will ask youthe ITT provider to complete a referral form.form This is to ensure a consistent approach to collecting applicant information.

How The SKE programmesprovider arewill provided

SKEthen coursesenrol canthe varyapplicant inonto durationa -course fromand anclaim 8-weekfunding refresherfrom orthe boosterDfE, programmeproviding throughthey tohave a 28-weekframework programmeagreement -in andplace.

How canSKE becourses undertakenare on a full-time or part-time basis.

provided

AllDfE-funded SKE programmescourses mustare beonly completedprovided beforeby qualifiedproviders teacherwho statushave cana beframework recommendedagreement andin awarded.

Thereplace isand noare restrictionlisted on the typesubject ofknowledge providerenhancement: thatcourse candirectory. deliverThey SKE,can andvary thein applicantduration hasfrom thean final8 decisionweek aboutrefresher theiror provider.booster However,programme SKEthrough providersto must have a framework28 agreementweek inprogramme, place with thea departmentweek equating to deliver25 alearning DfE-fundedhours.

All SKE. courses must be completed before qualified teacher status is recommended.

SKE courses can be:

• completed before or alongside alongside ITT courses courses
• offered(given online,the throughtime distancecommitments learning,we face-to-facerecommend orstarting aand mixturecompleting ofan these approaches

SKE forbefore additionalcommencing languages

If an applicant for ITT)

SKEThe programmesapplicant listedshould onhave the subjectfinal knowledgedecision enhancement:about coursetheir directorySKE areprovider usuallybut forthe French, German and Spanish. However, SKEITT providersprovider can developsupport andthe offerapplicant tailoredto choose their SKE programmesprovider infrom other languages to meet the needsSKE ofcourse yourprovider applicants.directory.

SKE funding

For all SKE courses in the 2022 to 2023 academic year:

• programme costs are funded at a unit fee up to £200 per week per participant
• subject to meeting the eligibility criteria, the participant bursary funding is £175 per week per participant

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