Lead thoughtful, respectful exploration of beliefs, values and worldviews in diverse school communities.

Why train to teach Religious Education with us?

Religious Education (RE) leads thoughtful, respectful exploration of beliefs, values, and worldviews, which is vital in our diverse school communities. As an RE specialist, you will help pupils aged 11–16 engage with big questions about life, morality, and culture, fostering respectful dialogue and critical understanding.

On our secondary RE route, you will deepen your subject expertise and explore current debates in RE education—from curriculum content and diversity to ethical frameworks and assessment—applying what you learn directly in your classroom.

You will train in Co-op academies and partner schools that serve diverse communities across Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Merseyside and Staffordshire, so you can make a tangible difference where it is needed most. If you are looking for a career with social purpose, rooted in co-operative values and long-term support for your development, this is the place to begin.

You will be supported by expert RE mentors, weekly subject and professional studies sessions, and our Learn, Explore, Apply approach, which helps you connect training-room ideas with everyday classroom practice. By the end of the year, you will be ready to start your first post as a qualified RE teacher, with the confidence to keep growing throughout your career.

Gain QTS and a Master’s‑level PGCE in one year	Classroom‑based training from day one across our 38 academies	Structured support from trainee to ECT	Practical benefits that remove barriers

What you will teach

Our Religious Education course will train you to be a specialist RE teacher. You will develop secure subject knowledge and learn how to teach different world religions, non-religious worldviews, and ethical issues to pupils aged 11–16, with opportunities to experience post‑16 teaching.

• Develop pupils’ knowledge of the practices, beliefs, and history of major world religions and non-religious worldviews.
• Facilitate critical discussion on moral, social, and philosophical issues.
• Teach RE for all learners, including those with SEND and high prior attainment, using adaptive teaching strategies so every pupil can succeed.

Your training year

Your training year is structured so that your confidence and responsibility build gradually over time, with clear expectations at each stage.

• Follow our phased curriculum (Introductory, Developmental, Consolidation) so your workload and teaching responsibilities increase in a manageable, supportive way.
• Revisit our five Learning Themes across the year: Building a Learning Culture, Planning for Learning, Purposeful Assessment, Thinking Professional and Developing Partnerships.
• Take part in Intensive Training & Practice (ITaP) on areas such as lesson starts, explicit instruction, scaffolding and questioning, then apply what you have learned directly in your classroom.
• Find out more in Our ITT curriculum and explore the full structure of the programme.

Professional studies and support

Alongside your subject-specific RE input, you will join trainees from other subjects for our year‑long professional studies programme. This shared training helps you understand the bigger picture of teaching and life in schools, while still allowing for individual support.

Placement model

Most secondary trainees follow an A–B–A placement model: you start in your home school, move to a contrasting placement from January to Easter, then return to your home school for the summer term. This gives you the chance to see different contexts, leadership styles and cohorts while still having a clear "base" school community.

You also gain experience in KS2 and post‑16 settings, and in SEND provision across the Trust, so you understand key transition points and how to support a wide range of learners. These additional experiences are carefully timetabled so they add breadth without overwhelming your core placements.

Entry requirements and subject knowledge

You will normally need a degree with substantial Religious Education, Theology, or Philosophy content, or a closely related discipline, along with a strong Level 3 qualification. A minimum of a 2:2 bachelor’s degree (or higher) is required.

You will also need at least grade 4/C in GCSE English and Mathematics, or equivalent.

We understand that not everyone feels confident in teaching every part of RE from the outset. Following a successful interview we work with each recruited trainee teacher to help them identify parts of their subject knowledge they will need to refresh or deepen, and provide free access to our online learning platform which will tailor learning around your needs.

Funding and bursaries

Tax‑free bursaries are usually available in Religious Education, depending on your degree background and the year you apply. Visit our Financial incentives and support page and the Get Into Teaching website for the most up‑to‑date bursary and scholarship.

Ready to start your journey?

Find our courses on DfE Apply using our ITT provider code 2X4 and selecting Co‑op Academies Trust – Religious Education.

Start your application today 

Any questions?

Talk to our team and get the answers you need before you apply, email: pdi@coopacademies.co.uk

Your teaching journey starts here

Whether you’re changing careers or continuing your work in education, you’ll join a values‑driven Trust that invests in its trainees and early career teachers.

We’ll provide the training, support and community you need to succeed and progress in a rewarding teaching career with Co-op Academies Trust