DfE: SKE eligibility for those with degrees in last 5 years

Eligibility for SKE

In December 2020 the Department confirmed, as part of the SKE package for academic year 20/21, that ITT candidates who have a degree in their chosen ITT subject awarded in the previous 5 years are not eligible for SKE. These candidates should have the required level of subject knowledge, or be able to top up their knowledge, without a DfE funded SKE course.

The additional information below is to support ITT providers to assess whether a candidate is eligible.

• An ITT candidate who has been awarded a degree that is a direct match to their chosen ITT subject in the previous 5 years is not eligible for SKE funding. Where the candidate has a related degree that is not a direct match the candidate could access SKE providing other eligibility criteria are met.

• The ‘previous 5 years’ is defined as the 5 academic years (AY) prior to the start of the current AY 20/21. For example, a candidate with a direct match degree awarded during AY 15/16 to 19/20 would not be eligible.

• The Department will be using JACS codes to determine whether a candidate has a degree that is a direct match to their chosen subject.  JACS codes are a recognized way of classifying academic subjects . We have been using JACS codes to record the JACS Principal Subject for SKE participants for several years and have expanded on this in the SKE claim form for AY 20/21 to include the JACS 4 digit codes . Table 1 below sets out which JACS codes are considered a direct match for each SKE subject; Table 2 shows an example of the full range of 4 digit codes that sit under a Principal Subject area (biology) and Table 3 sets out a number of SKE subject examples.

• ITT providers are required to provide details of the candidate, including the candidates degree to the SKE provider in order for the SKE provider to make a claim. The claim form will allow SKE providers to select the JACS Group, JACS Principal Subject and JACS 4 digit code for each candidate. The form will flag if a candidate has a degree that is a direct match. If the SKE provider proceeds with the claim it will be rejected.

Please note that SKE funding is only intended for participants who, without SKE, would be highly unlikely to meet the subject knowledge requirements of the Teachers’ Standards by the time their ITT course is complete.  ITT Providers should continue to assess each candidate on an individual basis taking into account the eligibility criteria for SKE set out on gov.uk.  All candidates have the opportunity to continue to learn and develop their subject knowledge during their ITT course. There should not be an assumption that candidates who have a related degree that is not a direct match to their chosen ITT subject need a SKE course.

Examples

 Table 1 below summarises which JACS codes are considered a direct match to each SKE subject. Table 2 below shows the full range of 4 digit codes that sit under biology. Biology ITT has a JACS 4 digit code of C100, so those who have obtained a degree that matches to C100 in the last five years would be ineligible for funding for a biology SKE course. Candidates with other degrees such as C111 Parasitology, C130 Cell Biology or C140 Environmental Bio could be eligible providing other eligibility criteria are also met.

Table 2 below shows the full range of 4 digit codes that sit under biology. Biology ITT has a JACS 4 digit code of C100, so those who have obtained a degree that matches to C100 in the last five years would be ineligible for funding for a biology SKE course. Candidates with other degrees such as C111 Parasitology, C130 Cell Biology or C140 Environmental Bio could be eligible providing other eligibility criteria are also met.

Table 3 below sets out a number of subject examples