Opening your doors to future teachers: PGCE placements with NITE
Friday 06 February 2026
4 min read
Introducing Amy Chappel
Amy Chappel joined NITE's Placements Team in 2022. Prior to that Amy taught in primary schools and she brings this first-hand experience of school life to her role as Head of Placements. Here she explains how hosting NITE trainees can benefit schools while supporting the next generation of teachers on our PGCE with QTS courses.
A national approach to high-quality PGCE placements
At NITE, we see PGCE placements as a chance to build meaningful partnerships that benefit both schools and students. As a national provider of PGCE we receive applications from across England and each year work with 100s of schools to provide placements for applicants to our September cohort of the tuition-fee funded PGCE with QTS. We are proud to offer motivated, well-prepared trainees eager to bring fresh ideas, energy, and expertise to your setting.
For schools, hosting a PGCE placement trainee is a valuable opportunity to enrich your team and support the next generation of trainee teachers. You will gain access to the latest best practice from our university courses, free professional development, and mentor training led by our experienced course leaders - all whilst helping to shape tomorrow’s teachers.
Benefits of working with NITE
So what are benefits to schools of working with NITE to provide PGCE placements?
As an online provider, all mentor meetings, inductions, webinars, and workshops are delivered virtually, offering flexibility and minimal disruption to your school day.
We offer Primary (5-11) and over 20 secondary subject specialisms.
Full-time trainees are based in school five days per week, so there is no requirement for them to attend university days or for schools to provide cover.
In-school mentors receive an online induction and work closely with their trainee's NITE mentor throughout. They will also qualify for a discount on our MA in Education.
As a main placement school, you could host our trainee(s) for two terms (autumn and summer) or just one term (spring) as a second placement school. Schools will receive financial compensation from NITE for supporting our trainees.
We have three intakes a year. While applicants to our January and April cohorts are expected to find their own placement, if you could potentially host a train starting in the Spring or Summer term, let us know. We might be able to help.
How to get the most from the experience
These are my top tips for a maximising the benefits of hosting a PGCE trainee.
Set clear expectations early Before the placement begins, our Placements Team will contact you with details of your trainee(s). We will also provide you with our course and mentor requirements, along with a School Guidance document. Once you have received these, we encourage you to contact your trainee directly to agree on their timetable responsibilities and set first-day or first-week expectations. This preparation helps them start confidently and ensures their contribution adds real value to your school. Why not invite to join the staff for an inset day?
Provide a supportive in-school mentor Each trainee must have a dedicated in-school mentor - a primary specialist for primary trainees or a subject-specific mentor for secondary trainees. Regular check-ins, observations, feedback, and encouragement not only build the trainee’s skills and confidence but also give your staff valuable mentoring experience.
Involve them in meaningful work Our trainees are encouraged to immerse themselves fully in school life. We encourage you to give them opportunities to lead small projects, contribute to lesson planning, or support extracurricular activities. This enriches their learning and helps them feel part of your school community.
Keep communication open We are here to support you as much as we support our trainees. Our Placements Team and Course Management Team are always available to answer questions, offer guidance, and ensure the process runs smoothly from start to finish.
Interested? Contact us now
By partnering with NITE, your school gains access to enthusiastic trainee teachers and the chance to develop a long-term relationship with us. If you are looking to inspire students and connect with the next generation of trainee teachers, we would love to hear from you at NITE.placements@coventry.ac.uk.
Together, we can create placements that make a lasting difference for children and future teachers alike.
