A SCITT an organisation or an alliance of schools who are accredited by the DfE to train student teachers.  At the end of their period of training, the SCITT can then recommend them to the DfE for award of Qualified Teacher Status (if they meet the necessary standards).  QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) is awarded by the DfE to students who have undertaken an Initial Teacher Training programme via a SCITT or HEI and is the required status to teach in England and Wales.  A PGCE is a postgraduate qualification, awarded by a Higher Education Institution to students who study at postgraduate level.  A PGCE is not a qualification to enable you to teach, it is a qualification to demonstrate academic study at L7.  At North West SCITT, all students are enrolled on an ITT programme towards the award of QTS. Those interested in a PGCE may undertake this via our partnership with Cumbria University.