Department For Education
This guidance is for subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) providers, Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers and School Direct lead schools.
If youre 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 anITTprovider 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. AnSKEcourse can help you to feel confident that the applicant can be recruited.
The Department for Education (DfE) currently funds SKE courses in primary 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 SKE in an Ebacc subject 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 completion of a (dual) SKE course as a condition of their offer, will be eligible for a dual language SKE course.
SKE eligibility
Eligibility to undertake a DfE funded 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 have a degree (or a joint degree) in their chosenITTsubject awarded in the previous 5 years are not eligible for a DfE fundedSKEcourse.
SKE bursary
Applicants might also be eligible to receive a SKE bursary if:
- they have at least a bachelors degree 2:2 classification in their degree subject or a masters degree or PhD
- they are undertaking their SKE course before starting ITT or up to the point they start 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 claimed retrospectively after completion of ITT. Where a provider becomes aware of an applicant withdrawing from ITT before their SKE is complete, their SKE course and SKE bursary should stop.
SKE eligibility for non-UK applicants
Applicants undertaking a face-to-face SKE 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 permission they will need to apply for a visitor visa to undertake SKE and will be 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 applicants interview
Applicants may need more specific subject knowledge to begin an ITT 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 many years
Referring a participant for SKE
The applicants SKE provider will ask the ITT provider to complete a referral form to ensure a consistent approach to collecting applicant information. The SKE provider will then enrol the applicant onto a course and claim funding from the DfE, providing they have a framework agreement in place.
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 alongsideITTcourses (given the time commitments we recommend starting and completing an SKE before commencing ITT)
- delivered online through:
- distance learning
- face-to-face
- a mixture of these approaches
- unde