Apply to Initial Teacher Training
Welcome to Initial Teacher Training at Cromwell Community College. We currently offer secondary teacher training with two key partners, Ambition Institute and the University of Bedfordshire.
Ambition Institute is England’s largest professional development provider for teachers and school leaders. In 2023-24, 1 in 9 teachers and leaders in state-funded schools developed professionally with Ambition.
The University of Bedfordshire (UoB) are a Higher Education Institution who have forged a special, close relationship with us for over twenty-five years, with many of our colleagues teaching today having began their career through this route.
Our courses lead to achieving QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) in addition to an internationally recognised Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Your PGCE will also give you credits if you want to complete a masters in the field of education later in your career. Both options mean that you will spend time in Cromwell or one of our local partner schools.
The key difference is that UoB trainees will gain QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) from the University and will attend studies in Bedford on Fridays whereas Ambition trainees will gain QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) from Liverpool Hope University and attend professional studies in Chatteris on Wednesdays (NB. Ambition trainees do not travel to Liverpool).
We are a Lead School and have been training teachers to teach for decades. This means that when you choose to train with us, you can be sure that you will learn your craft with our expert-led team of experienced mentors and our dedicated ITT (Initial Teacher Training) Team. We will provide you with expert support from your own mentor, who is there to support, challenge and encourage you as you learn. You are provided with a laptop for the duration of the course along with Viv-up, an employee benefit scheme to support health and well-being.
Delivery of your teacher training course takes place face-to-face one day per week at Cromwell Community College if you choose our Ambition Institute route or, if you prefer, a blended approach is available via our University of Bedfordshire partner (meaning that some weeks you will be required to attend University and other weeks will be delivered remotely). Whichever pathway you choose, both courses lead to the same qualification(s) and both can be delivered part-time or full-time to suit. Additionally, it is good to know that we are able to place you in a number of local schools in order for you to complete your training.
You can apply to train to teach with us by following this link to the Gov.UK website, where you will find information regarding courses, getting funding, what qualifications you need and any other Initial Teacher Training information by using the below link:
In order to find the course you wish to study, you can search for Cromwell Community College by the name directly or by our post code PE16 6UU.
For courses starting in September 2025, applications are open from Tuesday 1 October 2024 on the Gov.UK 'Find Teacher Training Tool'. The 'Find Teacher Training Tool' shows you all current availability for every course we have. Do not leave it too late as many courses have filled early in recent years!
If you have any questions or want to call us for a chat or to arrange a visit before applying to one of our courses, you can contact Michelle Dodman, our dedicated ITT Administration Assistant, directly with any teacher training questions on 01354 697495 or email mdodman@cromwell.cambs.sch.uk.
We encourage all applicants to come into school to see us if they wish to do so – trainees currently training with us often are able to provide the best reviews of what their course is like!
