Trainee Teacher - Economics in Portsmouth

Are you passionate about Economics? Are you keen to inspire young people? Are you ready to take the first step in your teaching career? The Portsmouth Grammar School is offering an exciting opportunity to train as a secondary Economics teacher through our partnership with South Farnham SCITT, an Ofsted Outstanding provider of school-based initial teacher training. We welcome applications from individuals who have, or are working towards, a Bachelor’s degree (2:2 or above).

Throughout this academic‑year long programme, you will work towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), with the option to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Most of your training year (2026–27) will be spent learning from, and working alongside, experienced colleagues in the PGS Economics and Business Department.

As a School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) trainee, you will:

• Experience school life from day one, gaining meaningful hands‑on classroom experience.
• Achieve QTS in a single academic year.
• Have the option to complete a PGCE with the University of Brighton alongside QTS.
• Develop into a confident, reflective, and skilled practitioner supported by expert colleagues.
• Attend weekly training sessions with specialists at the South Farnham SCITT hub in Guildford.

What can PGS offer?

• Support from experienced colleagues and subject specialists
• Dedicated professional mentor
• Experience of supporting lots of trainee teachers
• In‑house professional studies programme
• Staff coaching
• Recognised as a regional training centre for ISTIP, holding termly conferences for ECT professional development.

Our Economics and Business department is well resourced and has an excellent track record in public examinations; related subjects are the school's more popular university and apprenticeship destinations. We are teaching the Edexcel specification at A Level where academic results are extremely strong and pupils are supported to achieve the very top grades. Pupils of all abilities are catered for and are encouraged to achieve their potential where results reflect the successful differentiated support we offer.

The department runs numerous co‑curricular activities and opportunities for pupils. Enterprise clubs for several year groups are well attended, as is a Business and Economic Society. We encourage pupils to enter national essay competitions and were recently successful in the Young Economist of the Year competition. Throughout the academic year the department organises a varied schedule of guest speakers and super‑curricular opportunities for pupils. This includes hosting an Institute of Economic Affairs spring Sixth Form conference and visitors from The Bank of England and other banks. The Department has four dedicated teaching rooms as well as a Departmental Office. These areas are all located on the top floor of the Sixth Form Centre. Each of the teaching rooms has an Active Touch Screen and whiteboard.

To apply for this position:

• Apply directly to The Portsmouth Grammar School by completing an application form via the 'Work With Us' page of our website.
• Alternatively, you can send a comprehensive CV and cover letter to our HR department (recruitment@pgs.org.uk) expressing why you would like to train with us.
• If shortlisted, you will be invited to an informal visit or interview.
• Successful candidates will then be guided through the formal application process using Apply for Teacher Training on GOV.UK, where you will select The Portsmouth Grammar School and South Farnham SCITT as your provider.

For details about the programme structure, entry routes, fees and funding, visit: www.southfarnhamscitt.com. If you have any enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Katt David, our Co‑ordinator of Initial Teacher Training at k.david@pgs.org.uk, or our HR department at recruitment@pgs.org.uk. Early applications are encouraged as we may interview and offer in advance of the advert deadline. The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.