Schools Direct - any one been this route into teaching?

[SDhopeful]

Hi - am old-timer regular who has name-changed for this...
Am seriously considering career change into teaching - would be grateful if anyone is able to share advice/insight/ experience in this...?

Is this the scheme that replaces GTP? I did GTP and it was brilliant preparation for teaching. Paid, too.

Thanks - there are two streams, paid and unpaid.

It is a brand new scheme, isn't it?

My friend is about to do it. Giving up a different professional career to do primary teaching. Seems like a good route in if you have three years' experience elsewhere.

First trainees start in September.

I did my first school placement as an English PGCE with a guy who was training via schools direct. He is at the same uni as me and his course/experience doesn't seem any different.

My own caution would be that of the 1 schools direct student and 5 GTPs at my first school 5 were ex students (including the SD guy)