Routes into teaching

This section includes advice and guidance on becoming a teacher, basic requirements, university-based routes, school-based routes and career changes.

Teaching is a graduate profession, so you will need either a teaching degree leading to QTS or an undergraduate degree plus a post graduate qualification, which can be obtained either through a university-based or a school-based path.

An undergraduate initial teacher training (ITT) course

For those who do not already have an undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) / Bachelor of Science (BSc) with qualified teacher status (QTS) course is available. These courses enable you to study for a degree and complete your ITT at the same time.

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

This is the route for those who already have a degree and wish to train as a secondary or primary school teacher. A PGCE course will develop teaching skills, and many courses may also provide support for the development of subject knowledge. PGCE courses involve a mixture of lectures, seminars and other taught sessions at the university, as well as teaching placements in schools. Find the right postgraduate teacher training course for you here.

Dedicated subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses may be available in some secondary subjects prior to embarking on the course.

On these training programmes, you will be based at a university and have classroom placements in a school. You can do an undergraduate (BEd or BA/BSc) three-year full-time course, or a postgraduate (PGCE) one-year full-time course.

School Direct Training Programmes

This school-led option offers practical, hands-on training ‘on the job’, with support from experienced teachers and mentors. With regular attendance at university, this is a more gradual introduction to classroom work than the salaried option. School Direct courses generally last a year and offer training in at least two schools. School Direct courses all result in qualified teacher status (QTS). Most also award a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) and/or master’s-level credits.

UK and EU trainees may be eligible for a training bursary (or where appropriate, scholarship) and can apply for a student loan to cover the cost of the course tuition fees. Generous tax-free bursaries and scholarships of up to £25,000 are available to train to teach some subjects. Tuition fees will vary depending on the institution, and the maximum fee you can be charged is £9,250. You should contact Student Finance England to apply for a tuition fee loan.

School Direct Training Programme (Salaried)

This route allows you to train on the job and earn a salary during your training. It is open to graduates with at least three years work experience in any career. The amount you earn will be dependent on the school you train in and the subject you're teaching. For example, schools may offer enhanced salaries to trainees in maths, physics and computing. School Direct (salaried) courses normally take a year to complete.

School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)

SCITT programmes are designed and delivered by groups of neighbouring schools and colleges. They provide practical, hands-on teacher training programmes, taught by experienced, practising teachers. You’ll usually be based in one school from the consortium – the lead school – while completing teaching practice at others in the group.

Training programmes generally last for one academic year full-time, running from September to June and result in QTS. Some start earlier. You may be eligible to receive funding through student finance while you train for your SCITT.

To apply you should contact teacher training schools directly through our Hertfordshire: Teaching School Hubs.

Training routes with TES Institute

TES Institute - Straight to Teaching

If you’re a graduate and are already working in a school as a TA or unqualifed teacher, the Straight to Teaching programme from TES can help you to take the next step in your career and become a qualified teacher without having to leave your current school. Discounts are available for schools and settings working with HFL Education and Teach in Herts. See additional info here and quote HFL5 to receive your 5% discount on course fees.

TES Institute Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships

This route is designed for apprentices who will be employed in Primary or Secondary education in mainstream schools in England. The two age ranges are 5-11 or 11-16.

The employing school needs to ensure the trainee is on an Unqualified Teacher scale salary, minimum scale 1.

The programme will run for 15 months which will combine school based and online training, followed by preparation for and undertaking.

Please see here for more information.

Teach First Leadership Development Programme

The Teach First Leadership Development Programme is a two-year programme, which combines your development as a practising teacher with personal and business skills training. Trainees have six weeks' intensive training before teaching in a school in a low-income community for two years. Teach First participants are paid and employed by their primary or secondary school throughout the two years. Salaries vary according to the region and school in which you are placed. In your first year you will be paid the equivalent of an unqualified teacher, and in your second year you will be paid at least the same as a newly qualified teacher, possibly more, depending on your responsibilities.

Eligible candidates will need to satisfy the following minimum requirements:

2:1 degree or above, 300 UCAS points (or equivalent, excluding General Studies)
A degree and/or A levels that satisfy the teaching subject requirements.
Grade C (or equivalent) in GCSE maths and English
Flexibility to work anywhere within Teach First's locations
Commitment to the duration of the two-year Leadership Development Programme

More information can be found on Teach First – www.teachfirst.org.uk

Grad 2 Teach

Grad2Teach is a new teacher training initiative that gives you the opportunity to begin fully paid employment immediately and gain a PGCE with QTS at the end of the two year scheme.

The programme has been developed by Grad2Teach and The University of Buckingham,
a leading teacher training provider, and has been designed specifically to offer top quality
graduates the opportunity of:

Drawing a salary while you train
Having one of the Grad2Teach consultants hand-pick the perfect training school for you
Being offered the very best of training from Grad2Teach partners

You will begin your career in education in a teaching support role, progressing at a pace that suits you to become an unqualified teacher and ultimately to gain a PGCE with QTS. By the end of the programme, you will be a confident, capable and qualified teaching professional with excellent career prospects and earning potential.

For applicants who already have signifcant school based experience and can provide references, Grad2Teach also operates a ‘fast track’ 1 year course. If you think you qualify, please ask your consultant.

For more information, visit Grad 2 Teach.

Requirements

You will also need:

GCSE English and maths grade 4 or above (grade C or above under the old grading structure)
If you intend to train to teach pupils aged 3–11 (early years and primary), you must also have achieved GCSE grade 4 or above in a science subject (grade C under the old grading structure)
If you haven’t achieved the required GCSEs, there are options to study the qualifications through local colleges, or at home through organisations like the National Extension College (NEC).

If you studied outside the UK, check the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) to find out whether your qualifications are of an equivalent level to UK GCSEs, A levels and an undergraduate degree. If you have non-UK qualifications, you will need a Statement of Comparability from NARIC, the national agency for providing information and advice on worldwide qualifications. This can take some time, so we would advise you to start the process before you submit your application

Check the requirements with the training providers you're interested in – some training programmes have many more applications than places available, so their requirements might be higher.

Non-academic requirements

Declaration of criminal convictions

If you have a criminal record, it won’t necessarily prevent you from becoming a teacher. However, to working with children and young people you will be required to disclose any criminal convictions, cautions or bind-overs, and you'll need to agree to an enhanced criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We also advise you to discuss your circumstances with training providers before you apply.

Useful links

Get into teaching - https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/

Professional skills tests – sta.education.gov.uk

SKE – www.gov.uk/government/publications/subject-knowledge-enhancement-course-directory

NARIC – www.naric.org.uk/naric

NEC – www.nec.ac.uk

Disclosure and Barring Service – www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service

To find out more about financial support available visit:

https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/bursaries-and-scholarships-for-teacher-training