So you've decided you want to become a teacher? One of the first things you'll need to check is whether or not you possess the relevant entry requirements for Initial Teacher Training (ITT). You'll also have to decide which ITT course best suits your needs.
There are two main routes into teaching - either as an undergraduate or as a graduate. Obviously you will be guided in one of these directions depending on your past experience and qualifications.
To teach in English and Welsh state schools you require a Government recognised qualification called Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This is awarded by an organisation called the Training and Development Agency (TDA). The courses offered by all the ITT providers in England and Wales are recognised by the TDA and obtaining QTS is a straightforward matter once you have finished your teacher training.
QTS is not required to teach in Scottish state schools although General Teaching Council registration, as mentioned in the paragraph below, is necessary.
To work in UK state schools a teacher must also be registered with the relevant General Teaching Council in England, Scotland or Wales.
It is important to recognise that even when you have obtained your academic qualification to teach that doesn't give you the right to do so. You must also have General Teaching Council registration and, where appropriate, QTS.
Undergraduate teacher training:
As the name suggests this is aimed at people who wish to train as a teacher and do not already possess a degree level qualification. This would typically be school leavers or people seeking a career change later in life.
Successful completion of one of these ITT courses usually results in the conferment of a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree.
Graduate teacher training:
This is for graduates who wish to retrain as teachers in their chosen specialism.
The majority of graduate trainee teachers complete a one-year qualification called the Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE). Some ITT providers also offer a qualification called the Professional Graduate Certificate of Education (also PGCE).
The difference between the Post Graduate and Professional Graduate courses is that the Post Graduate courses include credits towards a Master of Education (MEd) degree whereas the Professional Graduate courses do not. Both qualifications lead to QTS.
The Government has recently announced plans that all teachers will have to be qualified up to Masters level. Masters credits obtained during ITT can be counted towards the full MEd qualification at a later time.
School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) courses, where a school provides the training, are a popular alternative to the conventional PGCE. Some SCITT courses are accredited by Higher Education Institutions, meaning they can conclude with the the award of an academic qualification (like a PGCE). All SCITT courses lead to QTS.
There is also something called the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP), where budding new teachers are catapulted straight into a salaried teaching apprenticeship in a school. Again, some GTPs lead to the award of an academic qualification (PGCE for example). All GTPs lead to QTS.
There are two main routes into teaching - either as an undergraduate or as a graduate. Obviously you will be guided in one of these directions depending on your past experience and qualifications.
To teach in English and Welsh state schools you require a Government recognised qualification called Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This is awarded by an organisation called the Training and Development Agency (TDA). The courses offered by all the ITT providers in England and Wales are recognised by the TDA and obtaining QTS is a straightforward matter once you have finished your teacher training.
QTS is not required to teach in Scottish state schools although General Teaching Council registration, as mentioned in the paragraph below, is necessary.
To work in UK state schools a teacher must also be registered with the relevant General Teaching Council in England, Scotland or Wales.
It is important to recognise that even when you have obtained your academic qualification to teach that doesn't give you the right to do so. You must also have General Teaching Council registration and, where appropriate, QTS.
Undergraduate teacher training:
As the name suggests this is aimed at people who wish to train as a teacher and do not already possess a degree level qualification. This would typically be school leavers or people seeking a career change later in life.
Successful completion of one of these ITT courses usually results in the conferment of a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree.
Graduate teacher training:
This is for graduates who wish to retrain as teachers in their chosen specialism.
The majority of graduate trainee teachers complete a one-year qualification called the Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE). Some ITT providers also offer a qualification called the Professional Graduate Certificate of Education (also PGCE).
The difference between the Post Graduate and Professional Graduate courses is that the Post Graduate courses include credits towards a Master of Education (MEd) degree whereas the Professional Graduate courses do not. Both qualifications lead to QTS.
The Government has recently announced plans that all teachers will have to be qualified up to Masters level. Masters credits obtained during ITT can be counted towards the full MEd qualification at a later time.
School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) courses, where a school provides the training, are a popular alternative to the conventional PGCE. Some SCITT courses are accredited by Higher Education Institutions, meaning they can conclude with the the award of an academic qualification (like a PGCE). All SCITT courses lead to QTS.
There is also something called the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP), where budding new teachers are catapulted straight into a salaried teaching apprenticeship in a school. Again, some GTPs lead to the award of an academic qualification (PGCE for example). All GTPs lead to QTS.