Introducing the partnership

The Diocese of Leeds BKCAT Alliance is a trust of schools at primary and secondary level who are committed to excellence – both for those who train with us and also the students those trainees come into contact with. To ensure a high-quality experience, trainees are supported academically and pastorally which is facilitated through the university and also by in school delivery from lead professionals or experienced colleagues within partner schools.

We are recruiting across several secondary specialisms, supported by experienced mentors and host teachers who are experts in their field. Trainees also gain pastoral experience as a from tutor during their training, as well as opportunity to support extracurricular activities. Alongside our primary recruitment this year across KS1 and KS2, we are also welcoming students who would like to train on our Early Years programme. All of our primary schools have a supportive ethos and we pride ourselves on the course offered and the support that we give our students.

Within all of our schools, experienced and supportive mentors are drawn upon to deliver high quality Continued Professional Development. We have a high success rate of completion and of trainees securing teaching positions, many within our own alliance. Some alumni have secured additional management and leadership responsibilities since completing their ITT and ECT years with us, which is testimony to the quality of the training provision. It is something we are extremely proud of.

More about BKCAT

My name is Ed Larrington and I am the secondary provision lead for the Diocese of Leeds Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust (BKCAT) School Direct alliance, based at St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School. As part of our partnership alliance, I work alongside Kate Marsh, ITT Coordinator for secondary, and also Sarah Spencer, who leads on our primary provision.  Sarah is the Executive Headteacher at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Castleford and English Martyrs Catholic Primary School in Wakefield.  Sarah is also the Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust teaching school lead and within her role, Sarah leads on the recruitment of primary trainees who aspire to join our programme.

To ensure a high-quality PGCE experience, all trainees are supported academically and pastorally throughout the duration of the course. QTS led input is delivered by lecturers from Leeds Trinity University and in addition to this university led learning, trainees also have the opportunity to work with subject specialist colleagues from LTU to focus on Subject Knowledge and Pedagogy specific to their subject of specialism. This is supported by in school delivery by lead professionals or experienced colleagues within partner schools to ensure that the learning experience offered is holistic and meets the criteria of a PGCE with QTS and masters credits.

We are recruiting across a suite of secondary specialisms where trainees are supported by experienced mentors and host teachers who are experts in their field. Trainees also gain experience within pastoral roles as a from tutor during their training, as well as opportunities to support extracurricular activities offered in their placement settings. We have 3 secondary schools within our trust, including sites across Wakefield, Pontefract and Goole.

Alongside our primary recruitment this year across KS1 and KS2, we are also welcoming students who would like to train on our Early Years programme. We have 10 primary schools within our trust, the majority of which are situated within the Wakefield area, with one school located in Garforth, Leeds. All of our primary schools have a supportive ethos and we pride ourselves on the course offered and the support that we give our students.

Within all of our schools we have experienced and supportive mentors and we draw upon the support of UPS colleagues to deliver high quality Continued Professional Development (CPD). Head teachers across both our primary and secondary schools relish the opportunity to have trainees in their schools. We have a high success rate of completion and of trainees securing teaching positions, many within our own alliance. Some alumni who have progressed a few years into their careers have secured additional management and leadership responsibilities since completing their ITT and ECT years with us, which is testimony to the success and quality of the training provision. It is something we are extremely proud of.

We are excited to welcome the next generation of outstanding teachers into our training alliance and the recruitment for 2023 goes live in October, so if you want to train with us in either secondary, primary or the early years courses please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Partner Schools

In our partnership we have Primary and Secondary schools in the following areas:

• Wakefield
• Pontefract
• Goole

Courses and Subjects Offered

• Primary PGCE (3-7) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
• Primary PGCE (5-11) with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Secondary PGCE with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in the following subjects:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• English
• Geography
• History
• Mathematics
• Physics

Contact details

Contact us today for more information using the details below.