Online Secondary ITT Courses

QTS with PGCE Online – in conjunction with Birmingham Newman University

An innovative new online initial teacher training route through a partnership between Birmingham Newman University and Painsley Catholic College.

These Birmingham Newman Direct Online courses are designed so that you can train on a Secondary ITT PGCE route local to your home, utilising online learning and placement schools local to you (all placement schools will be in the North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent areas).

The Core Curriculum is delivered by Birmingham Newman University through an online blended model:

Asynchronous/synchronous
Flipped learning
Online workshops

Subject-specialism delivery delivered through a mixture of input from:

Painsley Catholic College and other placement schools
Experts in your school and speaker/trainers from national organisations

Subjects available are:

Computing (Q058)
English (J783)
History (X804)
Mathematics (V474)
Religious Education (P400)

The course includes the completion of 2 x PGCE assignments which you will complete on placement and through virtual study. You will complete 2 in-person placements in schools which we will organise for you locally, wherever you are based in England.

These courses are suitable for aspiring teachers who are well-organised and motivated to work independently.

For more information find our courses at Find courses by location or by training provider – Find teacher training courses – GOV.UK

Training provider: Painsley Catholic College

Provider code: 3610

Painsley Catholic Academy is a high performing multi-academy company (MAC) located in Staffordshire. In September 2025, we joined together with other local Catholic MACs to form one of the largest Multi-Academy Trusts in the country (St Gabriel the Archangel).

Painsley Catholic College is the Lead School for the Teaching School Hub and local Maths Hub. We have a long and successful track record of training teachers – both initial teacher training and ongoing professional development such as the ECT programme and all specialist and leadership NPQs – through the Golden Thread Teaching School Hub.

Our trainee and apprentice teachers have gone on to be extremely successful teachers – some working as Heads of Department, Pastoral Leads and as members of Senior Leadership. Please do look at the testimonials on the website for The Golden Thread Teaching School Hub (under the ITT section). We will be completely involved in arranging where you will train and you will have consistent support in the form of a named ITT contact available to you through Painsley Catholic College.

This innovative online secondary QTS with PGCE programme is an exciting opportunity for anyone wishing to train as a teacher.