If you would like to teach in a school in England you will need to obtain a QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). There are several undergraduate training courses for teaching made available to help you to reach QTS.
If you have your degree already, the next step involves doing a postgraduate training course in teaching which would either be a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Leadership (PGDE).
You will also need GCSEs at Grade Four (C) in math and English (or qualifications that are equivalent).
In Scotland, the education system is different, meaning the qualifications that you will require to become a teacher North of the Border will be different. Read more about the training required to start teaching in Scotland.
Should I Teach Secondary Or Primary?
In addition to QTS and other GCSEs, teachers at the primary school level will require a Grade Four (C) in GCSE science. It is worth your while to consider the age you would prefer to teach since qualifications typically align with 1 of these ranges:
- Three to Seven-year-olds
- Five to Eleven-year-olds
- Seven to Eleven-year-olds
- Seven to Fourteen-year-olds
Some primary school educators prefer to specialize in one or more subjects, such as PE, languages, or math. If you are training to teach in a middle school (Seven to Fourteen-year-olds), your studies will involve the Primary National Curriculum and you will be required to specialize in one of the secondary subjects.
What Is Required To Become A Secondary School Teacher?
The subjects that you will end up teaching at the secondary level will typically reflect what you chose to study at university or at the A Level. It is in your best interests to check on what these qualifications allow for when it comes to teaching since you might have other options you didn’t know about, which will depend on what qualifications you have secured.
If you find out that you do not have the qualifications required for secondary school subjects you are interested in teaching, you can still take an SKE (Subject Knowledge Enhancement) course. These top-up courses are fully funded and can assist you with increasing your current knowledge (or add to related qualifications) to help you reach the required level to teach particular subjects.
Is There Funding Available For Teacher Training?
Trainee teachers can access three different funding types. Depending on your current circumstances, you may qualify for all 3.
- Tax-free scholarship or bursary up to 26,000, which will depend on the subject you have chosen.
- Non-graduate bursaries of up to £9,000 for specific subjects such as computing, physics, and math.
- Maintenance Loan or Tuition Fee Loan, available for all subjects and qualifications.
- Additional financial support when you have dependents (children or adults) or you have some type of disability (made available for all subjects).
You can also earn an income or salary while you are busy studying, and this can be done in a few different ways:
Post Graduate Teaching Apprenticeship
Earn an income teaching in classrooms, but you will have to set aside 20% of your time for “practical learning” which will lead to QTS.
You will eventually take the EPA (end-point assessment) to ensure you are ready and prepared to become an NQT (newly qualified teacher).
School Direct (Salaried)
School Direct salaried positions are available directly through schools. Since it is a school that will be recruiting and employing you (as a trainee), this could lead to full-time employment once your training is complete. If you are near at Hampshire and interested in teaching, search for school jobs in Hampshire.
This program will give you QTS, and a few might also allow for Master’s Level Credits or PGCE. School Direct trainee salaries typically vary from one school to the next, so make sure you will be able to survive on what the school is prepared to pay you before you decide to apply.
