What will we cover today?

Why train to teach?
 The rewards of teaching

How can I train to teach?
 Routes into teacher training

What do I need to train to teach?
 Qualifications
 School experience
 Professional skills tests
 Applying
The rewards of teaching

Teachers start on a salary of between £22k and £27k

Almost all qualified trainees who want a teaching post secure one

Teaching is a career that offers great opportunities for progression.
41% of teachers are in leadership roles

You could receive up to £25k tax-free to train to teach
Bursaries and Scholarships for 2015/16
Bursaries
Scholarships
Trainee
with
1st/PhD
2:1/
Masters
2:2
Other
Physics
£25,000
£25,000
£25,000
£15,000
£9,000
Maths
£25,000
£25,000
£20,000
£15,000
£9,000
Chemistry, computing
£25,000
£25,000
£20,000
£15,000
£0
Languages
-
£25,000
£20,000
£15,000
£0
Biology
-
£15,000
£12,000
£10,000
£0
Primary maths
-
£12,000
£12,000
£12,000
£9,000
Geography, D&T
-
£12,000
£9,000
£4,000
£0
Music
-
£9,000
£4,000
£4,000
£0
English, history, RE,
primary
-
£9,000
£4,000
£0
£0
Financial support

You can apply for a scholarship instead of a bursary from a subject
association in physics, maths, chemistry and computing

You may be eligible for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England

You may be eligible for a maintenance loan or a non-repayable
maintenance grant from Student Finance England to help with living
costs
How can I train to teach?
All teacher training courses include:

A minimum of 24 weeks in at least two schools to give you practical
classroom experience

Academic study to give you the knowledge and understanding to teach
successfully

An assessment of your teaching skills (through classroom observation)
School-led teacher training
A school-led training course gives you the chance to learn ‘on the job’ in at
least two schools. You work as part of the teaching team from day one –
similar to student medics in hospitals – learning from experienced,
practising colleagues and immediately putting your new skills into practice.
School-led teacher training courses generally last a year and all lead to
qualified teacher status (QTS). Most school-led courses result in a
postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) and/or Master’s-level credits
on successful completion.
School-centred initial teacher training
Schools are taking on more control of teacher training. Those that have
been given government approval to run their own training are called
SCITTs. They provide practical, hands-on teacher training delivered by
experienced, practising teachers based in their own school or at a school
in their network.
SCITT courses generally last a year and result in QTS. Many also award a
PGCE from a university.
School Direct
This is a popular choice for those who hope to secure a role in the network
of schools where they train. The schools recruit you as a trainee onto their
School Direct course with a job in mind just for you.
Just like SCITT courses, with School Direct you get practical, hands-on
training and education based in good schools across the country. School
Direct courses are designed by groups of schools – with a university or
SCITT – based on the skills they are looking for in a qualified teacher.
School Direct courses generally last a year and all result in QTS. Most also
award you a PGCE and/or Master’s-level credits, but you should check
individual courses for more information.
School Direct – salaried route
If you’re a graduate and have been working for around three years, School
Direct (salaried) is available exclusively for you. You’ll be based at a school
and earn a salary during your training. The schools recruit you as a trainee
onto their School Direct course with a job in mind just for you.
The cost of your training to achieve QTS is covered by the school. Check
with the school you are applying to whether this also includes a PGCE.
Other school-led training
Teach First

Teach First is an education charity that runs a two-year course for
outstanding graduates where you can earn while you train and work in
a challenging school in a low-income community. Visit the Teach First
website, www.teachfirst.org.uk to learn more about its vision and its
leadership development programme.
Academics

Academics who have completed (or are finishing) a doctorate can
become qualified to teach through the Researchers in Schools
programme. Visit www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching and search
for Researchers in Schools.
Other school-led training
Armed Forces
If you are ex-service personnel, find out how the invaluable skills and
experience gained in the Armed Forces can enable you to become an
outstanding teacher through the Troops to Teachers programme.
The Troops to Teachers programme is about recruiting the very best former
service personnel (service leavers) into teaching. The skills and experiences
you have gained during your time in the Armed Forces are invaluable, and
our education system needs you to bring these to our schools. You could
have the potential to become an outstanding teacher.
If you would like to find out more, please visit www.troopstoteachers.ctp.org.uk
University-led training
Universities and colleges offer teacher training courses for both graduates
and undergraduates.
If you already have a degree, one option is to complete a postgraduate
certificate in education (PGCE) at a university or college. Universities work
with school partnerships to offer at least two school experience placements
as part of your training.
If you don’t have a degree, you can study for your degree and complete
your teacher training at the same time at various universities and colleges
in England. Full-time courses usually take three to four years, while parttime courses take four to six years. But if you’ve got undergraduate credits
from previous study, you might be able to complete a course in two years.
What do I need to train to teach?
Minimum entry requirements

C-grade GCSEs (or standard equivalents) in English and maths, plus a
science subject if you want to teach primary or key stages 2/3 (up to
age 14)

UK undergraduate degree or a recognised equivalent qualification

Most providers and schools will expect applicants to have some school
experience
School experience

Spend as much time as possible in schools before you apply for
teacher training; the insight you gain will be an invaluable part of your
application

The amount of school experience you need will vary from one school or
university course to another. For most courses, you'll be expected to
have at least 10 days' experience before you submit your application

Contact your local schools to ask if you can observe lessons

Premier Plus candidates may be able to get help with school
experience by joining the School Experience Programme
Subject knowledge enhancement (SKE)

If you're interested in teaching physics, maths, chemistry, computing,
languages or design and technology, but studied for a different degree,
you can boost your subject knowledge before you begin training by
completing a subject knowledge enhancement course

If your school or provider feels that you have the right qualities to
become a teacher but you need to up your subject knowledge before
you start training, they will talk you through the range of SKE
programmes that are available
Professional skills tests

Tests in numeracy and literacy must be passed before you begin
training

You can’t take the tests until you have applied for teacher training, but
you can book your test in advance for a date by which you expect to
have submitted an application

For practice papers and registration visit the DfE website
http://www.education.gov.uk/sta/professional
How and when to apply

The application round for teacher training courses starting from
September 2015 is now open

UCAS Teacher Training is used for applications to all teacher training
courses

See the UCAS website for details on how to apply
www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/teacher-training
Personal statement

This is your moment to stand out from the rest and is the most crucial
part of your application

Explain why you will enjoy teaching – and, more specifically, why you
will enjoy teaching your chosen subject and/or age group

Emphasise the relevance of your previous studies and any work
experience to your chosen subject or age group

Make sure you give examples of what you have learnt from your
experience, and how it will have a positive effect on your teaching

Include examples from your school experience and any other
experience that you may have of working with children

Provide plenty of evidence of your skills and qualities. Communication
and motivation are important skills for teachers
Your interview

Make sure you research the course and institution you're applying for

Use the internet to research the latest developments in education

Think carefully about your reasons for applying for the course and your
interest in becoming a teacher

Try our interactive interview and application assistant on the Get-IntoTeaching website. Search “Interactive Interview” on the site
Premier Plus*
There is a comprehensive programme of support available to help you,
providing guidance throughout the application process which could include:

personalised one-to-one advice and guidance from a named adviser on
becoming a teacher, including support with your application

Help in securing school experience, including a placement for up to 10
days on one of our programmes

regular communications from us with important news, application hints and
tips, and updates on funding
*Available to those who hold (or are predicted) a first class, 2:1 or 2:2 degree
and are interested in teaching secondary maths, physics, chemistry, languages,
computing or design and technology.
Further information and advice
Follow us on Twitter and ‘like’ us on Facebook for further information, useful
tips and to ask us a question.
Further information and advice
Search “get into teaching” to visit our website
or call us on 0800 389 2500 to speak to the Teaching Line.