Do you need advice about what
your available options are?
Click here to contact
Sheba, our MERIT advisor.

Latest News

30th May 2008 MERIT report download from the 26th April 2008 conference is now available. [more]
24th April 2008 An exciting short taster course announced on primary school teaching for May 2008. [more]
31st March 2008 MERIT conference announced for Saturday 26th April 2008, 10am to 2pm in Newcastle. [more]
7th March 2008 MERIT website finally complete. All pages and sections have now been finished. [more]
15th January 2008 MERIT website released. Please note: the Table page and F.A.Q. page is still under construction.

Thinking of training to become a teacher?

If you are from a Black or Minority Ethnic (BME) background and are thinking of training to become a teacher, but would like advice about the different courses available within the North East of England, the required qualifications, or about how to apply, then you can contact :
Sheba Joseph (the MERIT advisor)

enquiries@merit-ne.org.uk 0191 433 8647 9am - 12 noon, Tuesday and Thursday
Feel free to leave a message at any other time and Sheba will get back to you as soon as she can.

MERIT is a pilot project which aims to:

  • Raise awareness of the opportunities available to BME students to enter Initial Teacher Education (ITE);
  • Raise awareness of the ITE courses available locally;
  • Provide support mechanisms to guide BME students in the application and interview process for ITE.

MERIT is a partnership

We are a partnership between Newcastle, Northumbria, Durham and Sunderland Universities and Gateshead SCITT, together with Gateshead Ethnic Minority Achievement Service. It is funded by each of these Initial Teacher Education providers together with Aim-Higher North-East and the TDA. Sheba Joseph is the MERIT advisor and she is based at Dryden Professional Development Centre in Gateshead.