Have you always wanted to complete your primary PGCE?

Now you can do that in Herefordshire/South Shropshire!

We are a RTH+ (Regional Training Hub Plus) and run face to face, full delivery of your PGCE without having to leave Herefordshire/South Shropshire. Click on the logo to the left to find out more about the RTH+.

Or click below to view the press release from Worcester University.

Press release - April 2026

Training with the Diocese of Hereford Multi Academy Trust (DHMAT), accredited by The University of Worcester (rated Outstanding), allows you to become part of a family of schools across our Trust. 

The PGCE course (formerly School Direct) is run through the DHMAT, training takes places in The Hereford Academy (HR2 7NG) where the we have our own spaces dedicated to the Primary PGCE route. Some of our sessions will also take place in Ludlow Primary, St Thomas Cantilupe CE Primary or in other Trust schools and is supported by professionals who have led these courses for a number of years.

 

The Hereford Academy is perfectly placed whether you should live in Powys, South Shropshire or Herefordshire, with free parking onsite and space to work. The DHMAT draws on specialist support and training from staff across their schools. These schools include:

• Bishop’s Castle Primary School
• Bitterley CE Primary School
• Burford CE Primary School
• Burley Gate CE Primary School
• Condover CE Primary School
• Eastnor CE Primary School
• Goodrich CE Primary School
• Ludlow Primary School
• Lydbury North Primary School
• Morville CE Primary School
• Much Marcle CE Primary School
• Onny Primary School
• Pembridge Primary School
• St Edward’s CE Primary School (Dorrington)
• St George’s CE Primary School (Clun)
• St Michael’s CE Primary School (Bodenham)
• St Thomas Cantilupe CE Primary School (Hereford)
• Tenbury CE Primary School

We also work with a number of partner schools across Herefordshire/South Shropshire who support us with placements too.

About the PGCE course (formerly School Direct)

Our routes (3-7 and 5-11) are both practical, hand-on routes into teaching. By the end of the course trainees are assessed to achieve QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) and PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education). By choosing this route, you are immersed in school life from the start with the support of teachers, our own registered lecturers and university staff.

The DHMAT have a number of registered lecturers who will deliver high quality training sessions to support trainees in meeting the Teacher Standards. Trainees undertake two contrasting school placements in different schools and two different key stages (minimum 120 days) along with the entitlement to experiences in Early Years, Year 6, a special school or behavioural unit as well as KS3.

Training takes place mainly at The Hereford Academy and occasionally at other locations suited to the professional study sessions. QTS and PGCE are awarded through University of Worcester (our provider). As a RTH+ we will undertake all the study sessions in one of our schools, so there will be no need to travel to the University of Worcester.

To qualify to apply, applicants need a degree 2.2 or above and GCSE grade 4 or equivalent in English, Maths and Science.

For further information on the course go to The University of Worcester (https://www.worcester.ac.uk/)

School Placements

Our school placements are carefully selected to match the trainee’s needs, whilst bearing in mind travelling distance. School placements will take place in contrasting schools to enable trainees to get the broadest range of experience possible. We work with a range of schools across Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire and our trainees have the opportunity to visit a wide and diverse range of settings.

Trainees spend 120 minimum days in school and there are around 30 professional study days during the year.

• Placement 1 – September until December (either in EYFS, KS1 or KS2)
• Placement 2 – January until March (alternative key stage to the one completed in first placement)
• Placement 3 – April until July (this will be in the same key stage as first placement)

Entry Requirements

Qualifications needed:

• An undergraduate degree at class 2:2 or above, or equivalent.
• Grade 4 (C) or above in English, maths and science, or equivalent qualification.

Applying for a place

You can apply for a place on the Primary 3-7 (G220) or on the Primary 5-11 (X839) through the Government's Find Teacher Training Courses.

Interview process

As part of the interview process you will:

• Have an interview with a panel made up of representatives from the school and the University of Worcester (this may be via Zoom/Teams).

During this interview, you will be given the opportunity to discuss your experiences to date, including opportunities you have had to work with school-aged children and any transferable skills you can offer.

We will also invite you to an informal interview at one of our lovely schools which may consist of:

• A small group activity which you will be informed of before you arrive
• Informal conversations with staff and children

This will also give you the opportunity to meet us, have a look around our schools, ask questions and learn more about our course.

Fees

The course fees for UK students in 2026/27 are £9,790.

Training with disabilities and other needs

Diocese of Hereford Multi Academy Trust and the schools within the alliance are inclusive schools that endeavour to meet the needs of trainees and pupils with disabilities and other needs. Please contact Vicky Tansley (see contact details below) to discuss how your individual needs can be best met within your training.

Contact us

Vicky Tansley

Email: v.tansley@dhmat.org.uk

Telephone: 01584 838880 (Ludlow DHMAT Offices) or 01432 268400 (St Thomas Cantilupe Primary)