Welcome
In your newsletter this month:
1. Removal of Chemistry from the Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) subject package for the remainder of AY25/26
2. Initial Teacher Trainings (ITT) general mentor training grant: Claim window opening date confirmed
3. BCS Scholarships: Supporting Computing Trainee Teachers
4. Non-disclosure of previous ITT courses now flagged on Manage
5. Performance reports now include Equality, Diversity and Inclusion data
6. National Year of Reading 2026
7. Careers Education within ITT
1. Removal of Chemistry from the SKE subject package for the remainder of AY25/26
From Friday 27 March 2026, the Department will no longer fund Chemistry SKE courses for the rest of the 2025 to 2026 academic year, due to a significant rise in Chemistry participation. Funded SKE courses will continue to be available for computing, languages, maths and physics.
From Friday 27 March, ITT offers that require a Chemistry SKE will not be eligible for funding unless the candidate has already started a course or has a confirmed SKE start date.
ITT providers should consider the subject-specific training within their programmes and take this change into account when issuing new ITT offers.
2. ITT general mentor training grant: claim window opening date confirmed
The first claim window for ITT general mentor funding for academic year 2025/26 will open on 27 April 2026.
ITT placement schools that have been added to the Register trainee teachers service by their ITT providers should have been on-boarded to the service. Up to two DfE sign-in approver accounts have been on-boarded to the service for each school, and they can add additional users.
If a school has not been on-boarded
Step 1: if a school has not received an email from DfE inviting them to the service, they should check with their DfE sign-in approvers to see if they’ve received it. If so, they will be able to add additional users.
Step 2: if the school’s DfE sign-in approvers have not received an email from DfE inviting them to the service, they should check with their ITT provider that they have recorded the school on the Register trainee teacher service. Once this is done, schools will be on-boarded to the Claim Funding service monthly, so the school should receive an email within a month of their accredited ITT provider recording them as a placement school.
Step 3: For further information, see here for additional guidance.
3. BCS Scholarships: Supporting Computing Trainee Teachers
Computing teachers can give students the understanding and vision to build our digital future.
A BCS Computing teacher scholarship will equip computing trainees with support and guidance through resources, free CPD webinars, a coaching programme, and workshops to help them become a Computing teacher.
Successful applicants receive £31,000, tax free, to support them through their ITT year. They will also enjoy two years’ free Professional (MBCS) membership, which offers benefits like CPD tracking and a friendly community to share ideas with, where there are always more opportunities to learn.
For further information on the BCS computing teacher scholarship please visit BCS computing teacher scholarships.
4. Non-disclosure of previous ITT courses now flagged on Manage
We previously added a feature that lets candidates declare any previous initial ITT courses when they apply.
If we think that a candidate has previously started an ITT course but not declared it, this will now be flagged in Manage, under previous ITT courses on the candidate’s application details.
Before making a decision on a candidate’s suitability, contact them to discuss their previous training and, if needed, check with their previous provider.
5. Performance reports now include EDI data
We have added EDI data to your weekly performance report.
You can compare your performance data, including EDI data, to the previous cycle, regional and national data.
You can also download your data as CSV files.
If you need any help, contact us at becomingateacher@digital.education.gov.uk
Further information is available on the performance reports page.
6. National Year of Reading 2026
The National Year of Reading summer term activity for schools and settings is now live!
Activity across phases includes a cycle of:
- Free CPD webinars
- Free resources
- Free Go All In Together! events for children and young people
- Free specialised webinars
Whether you’re new or already on board, you can start exploring summer term activity.
You can sign up to the free Learning Management System here.
See here for more information.
7. Careers Education within ITT
We’re inviting ITT providers to complete a short survey exploring how careers education is addressed within ITT programmes.
Your feedback will help shape a new pilot project testing how careers education can be exemplified within ITT. The department has funded the Careers & Enterprise Company to deliver this pilot, supporting the ambition in the Careers Statutory Guidance for all teachers and subject staff to link curriculum learning with careers.
The survey is being conducted by the International Centre for Guidance Studies, with support from the Gatsby Foundation and on behalf of the Careers & Enterprise Company.
Take the survey here.
If you would like further information about this project, please contact education@careersandenterprise.co.uk.