Train to Teach

Are you a graduate looking for an exciting and rewarding new career where you can make a real difference?

If you’re based in Western Reading, Burghfield or Tadley areas you’ll benefit from training in schools close to home.

Join us and start your journey now.

Who are we?

The Two Counties Partnership works in partnership with the University of Reading’s Institute of Education, which has been transforming lives through education for over 100 years. Our network of seven local secondary schools offers graduates the chance to train to teach in a supportive, high‑quality environment, gaining both a PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). All our training places are non‑salaried.

Our schools are:

The Willink School = Lead School

We are seeking enthusiastic individuals interested in pursuing teacher training through the School Direct (fee-paying) route to earn a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The Willink serves as the lead school for the Two Counties Teaching Training Partnership.

What Subjects are available?

Each year we aim to offer PGCE with QTS places in the following subjects:

Art	Design Technology	English	Geography	History
Maths*	MFL	PE	Sciences

*All our schools are part of Mobius Maths Hub (based at The Willink).

How will I train?

Your training year runs from September to June and is designed to give you the best possible start to your teaching career.
You’ll spend around 75% of your time in school, building real classroom experience from day one. Alongside this, you’ll attend the University of Reading to develop your subject knowledge, explore effective teaching approaches and learn alongside other trainees.
You’ll complete two contrasting school placements, giving you a broad experience across different settings.
Throughout the year, you’ll be supported by an experienced mentor in each school, working closely with your university tutor to guide your progress and help you develop into a confident, effective teacher.
You won’t be expected to take on everything at once. Instead, you’ll gradually build your skills and confidence, taking on more responsibility as you’re ready - with expert support at every stage.

How do I apply?

Ready to take the first step into teaching? Apply to the Two Counties Partnership through the Department for Education’s Find and Apply service.

If your application stands out, we’ll invite you to interview at The Willink School (RG7 3XJ). This is a fantastic opportunity to show us your potential - through a short subject knowledge task, a brief presentation and a conversation about your passion for your subject and working with young people.

The process is designed to be supportive, taking around two hours in total. We’re not just looking for finished teachers - we’re looking for people with the commitment, curiosity and drive to grow into excellent teachers who can inspire and shape the lives of others.

For more information about fees, bursaries, teachers’ pay, getting school experience to help you decide if teaching is for you, head to: Get Into Teaching | Get Into Teaching GOV.UK

If you have any questions about training to teach, please contact us on: Traintoteach@willink.w-berks.sch.uk

Get School Experience Days

School experience allows you to learn more about teaching by visiting schools. We will shortly be sharing when we will be running 'Get School Experience' Days here, so stay tuned!

If you would like to join a Get School Experience Days at another school in the Two Counties Teacher Training Partnership, please visit their school websites for details.

Get School Experience days will help you decide: if you want to train to be a teacher; experience a secondary school environment; and build a relationship with a school you might want to work with later.

You can request to Get School Experience if you:

are aged 18 or over
have a degree (or are studying for one)
have the right to work in the UK

To apply, please register here: https://schoolexperience.education.gov.uk

Last Updated: June 2026