Schools and teaching

Lewisham has two nursery schools, 65 primary schools, 10 secondary schools and six special schools. We are small enough for individuals to be recognised and valued in their own right but large enough to create a pool of expertise and experience that can be shared by all.

All of our schools are committed to constant improvement in the drive to raise standards. We work together to improve the life chances of all our children and pride ourselves on closing the achievement gaps.

Professional guidance for newly qualified teachers

Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) are vital to any local authority. Lewisham understands this better than many boroughs and our NQTs will be rewarded with some of the best training and support available, as well as exceptional opportunities for career progression.

Salaried training for graduate teachers

The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) was discontinued at the end of 2012
–13 and employment-based teacher training is now provided through a new School Direct (salaried) route.

Places are no longer allocated to providers, but rather directly to schools. Those schools that are interested in providing such places will have applied for School Direct places via Teaching Agency.

If you are an applicant wishing to apply for employment-based teacher training, you will need to apply to one of the schools that is offering School Direct (salaried) places. If you know the school you wish to apply to, please encourage them to register an interest with the Teaching Agency if they have not already done so.

A number of our schools also employ graduates via the Teach First Leadership Development Programme. More information about this can be found at Department for Education or Teach First.