Ahead of the start of the next ITT recruitment cycle we are writing to share some important information about Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses.
We have written to SKE delivery organisations today to inform them that we do not expect to confirm the SKE package available for candidates for ITT courses starting in 2021 until the end of the 2020 calendar year. This is later than usual as confirmation of funding is dependent on the government’s Spending Review which is currently underway. We have also advised that SKE funding and SKE subject availability may change as we look to ensure we make best use of funds, given the increased interest in teaching. This means SKE providers should not start any candidates on SKE courses from 1 October for the 2020/21 recruitment cycle
In the interim we encourage you to consider whether a conditional offer requiring a SKE course is strictly necessary. Where providers judge SKE is required, it will be the candidate’s responsibility to gain subject knowledge if the SKE package we publish in Nov/Dec will not fund this. The candidate would need to decide whether to pay for this commercially themselves, in line with the current position for candidates required to gain GCSE/equivalent qualifications.
We would like to work with you to minimise the impact on recruitment for ITT2021, and we will provide further information as soon as we are able.
You may want to consider amendments to your marketing materials for AY20/21 to reflect SKE availability, including on the Find Postgraduate Teacher Training service.
If you have any queries please contact SKE.INBOX@education.gov.uk
Regards
SKE Team