Subject knowledge enhancement: an introduction

This guidance is for:

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

If you’re 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 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 the teachers’ standards can can be met. met. SKE courses can help you to feel confident that the applicant can obtain the minimum subject knowledge standard to be recruited.

The Department for Education (DfE) currently funds funds SKE courses courses in fiveprimary 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 8-week SKE in in an Ebacc subject where an an SKE course is available, and they meet the eligibility requirements.

Dual language SKE courses

Applicants who need to complete a dual language language SKE course 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 languages ITT, which specifies the completion of a (dual) (dual) SKE course course as a condition of their offer, will be eligible for a dual language language SKE course. course.

SKE eligibility

To be eligible to undertake a a DfE-funded -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 an SKE course course

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

SKE bursary

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

• they have at least a bachelor’s degree 2:2 classification in their degree subject or have a master’s degree or PhD
• they are undertaking their SKE course before starting ITT, or up to the point they start start ITT if their if their SKE course course overlaps with 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 an SKE course course in parallel with their their ITT, they are not eligible for a bursary.

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

SKE eligibility for non-UK applicants

Applicants undertaking a face-to-face face-to-face SKE need 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 their SKE course course
• be restricted on the type of provider and duration of their course if if SKE is is delivered face-to-face (maximum of 26 weeks)

If undertaking an an SKE course course online from inside or outside the UK, there are no restrictions onof 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 The SKE bursary bursary is only available to non-UK applicants who are undertaking a tuition fee-based fee-based ITT course 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 an SKE bursary 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 for SKE is 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 applicant’s interview

Applicants may need more specific subject knowledge to begin an an ITT course 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 moremany than five years

Referring a participant for SKE

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

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

How SKE courses are provided

DfE-funded SKE courses are only provided by providers who have a framework agreement in place and are listed on the subject knowledge enhancement: course directory. They can vary in duration from an 8-week refresher or booster programme through to a 28-week programme, with a week equating to 25 learning hours.

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

SKE courses can be:

• completed before or alongside ITT courses (given the time commitments, we recommend starting and completing an SKE before commencing ITT)
• undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis
• delivered online, through distance learning, face-to-face learning or through a mixture of these approaches

SKE funding

For all SKE courses in the 2023 to 2024 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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