The article explores the question of placing student teachers for their field experience in schools for a diversity of social and educational conditions in South Africa. It outlines the criteria that a sample of teacher educators uses for placing student teachers in ‘suitable’ schools, and relates these criteria to placements in challenging social and educational contexts.Different conceptual models for understanding the link between Teaching Practice placements and a social justice approach to teacher education have been outlined, and a position advanced for understanding and developing the elements of the different models within their particular historical context. These conceptual models are helpful but not sufficient to capture the aspirations, pressures and dilemmas involved in preparing teachers for a range of schooling contexts.