Is Teacher Training for me? | Requirements, Courses & Qualifications

Embarking on teacher training is a significant step towards nurturing the next generation, a responsibility that holds the power to transform lives and shape futures.

High-quality teacher training not only enhances educational standards, but it also feeds into teacher satisfaction, retention, and, ultimately, the learning outcomes of pupils. If you're wondering whether teacher training is for you, you’ll find that equipped with the right qualifications—such as the National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)—and a passion for education, you can make a profound difference. Considering the UK government's 2022 pledge of £184 million into free training qualifications for educators, there has never been a better time to train to teach.

In this article, you’ll navigate through the essential requirements, teaching courses, and qualifications necessary to embark on your journey. You'll discover the array of teacher training courses available, such as PGCE teaching, level 3 teaching qualification, level 5 teaching qualification, and delve into online teaching courses for a more flexible study option. Whether it's full-time university-led routes or school-led training programmes like Teach First, this piece will serve as your guide. Prepare to explore not only the traditional teacher training course but also innovative, government-backed initiatives like the National Institute of Teaching that promise to equip you with the skills needed to excel in this rewarding career.

Pathways to Becoming a Teacher

When choosing your pathway to becoming a teacher, you'll find several routes, each with specific qualifications and experiences required. Whether you prefer a university-led programme or hands-on training within a school, here is a detailed look at your options:

University-Led Training:

• PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education): Ideal for graduates, typically one year full-time, incorporating both academic study and practical experience. You'll need at least a 2:2 honours degree, GCSEs in English, Maths, and Science at grade C/4 or above for primary teaching.
• BEd (Bachelor of Education): This undergraduate route means committing to a three to four years' degree programme that includes QTS. Suited for those who've identified teaching as their career from the onset of their higher education journey.

What is QTS? – see our full article on gaining Qualified Teacher Status here

School-Led Training:

• School Direct: Allows you to learn 'on the job' and you could be offered a position upon completion. You'll need a degree, and for salaried positions, often requires three or more years of work experience.
• Teach First: Targets high-achieving graduates to work in challenging schools over a two-year leadership development programme, concluding with a PGCE qualification.
• Teacher Apprenticeships: Combine working with studying, leading to QTS over a minimum of a year. Typically applicable to those with significant classroom experience.

Alternative Routes:

• Early Years Teacher Training: For those focusing on ages 0-5, this route requires a degree and provides another avenue to make a sizeable impact on early childhood education.

• SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training): Operating within a network of schools to provide hands-on teacher training delivered by experienced, practising teachers.

Throughout your research into teacher training, remember to reference online teaching courses if you require greater flexibility in your study schedule. Embrace the available teaching course options to fit your current qualifications and lifestyle, all while keeping in mind the crucial certification of QTS, a testament to your capability to teach within the UK's education system. With varied programmes like PGCE teaching, level 3 teaching qualification, and level 5 teaching qualification, your journey to train to teach is rich with valuable choices that can lead to a fulfilling career in shaping young minds.

Qualifications Needed

Embarking on your teacher training is a pivotal step in your career, and having the right academic and professional qualifications form the foundation of your journey. To begin, you'll need:

• GCSEs: Achieve at least grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths, which are essential entry requirements for the training. If you're considering primary teaching, a science GCSE at grade 4 (C) or above is also required.
• Bachelor’s Degree: You must hold a degree to train for primary and secondary education roles. While the degree can be in any subject, some training providers seek a 2:2 classification or higher.

For those interested in secondary education, demonstrating extensive subject knowledge in the field you intend to teach is of the utmost importance. This could be evidenced by:

• Holding a degree closely related to the subject area or possessing A level qualifications in it.
• Possessing relevant professional experience that provides a practical understanding of the subject.

If there are gaps in your subject knowledge, or you're changing specialisms, engaging in a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course could be instrumental. These courses offer the chance to deepen your comprehension of the subject and ensure you’re well-prepared for the classroom environment.

When you're ready to apply for your teacher training course, utilise the 'Apply for teacher training' service provided by the Department for Education in England to streamline the process. Ensure you explore all the different courses available to identify the route that best aligns with your qualifications and lifestyle—be that a traditional university-based programme or an online teaching course offering more flexibility.

Remember that teaching in Scotland and Northern Ireland follows different qualification paths. In Scotland, a teaching degree coupled with an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) qualification is your ticket to a probationary teaching year which is a stepping stone to the profession. Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland, aspiring educators engage in a Bachelor of Education or a one-year PGCE following their undergraduate studies.

The journey through teacher training is not just about the academic qualifications. It's about you, your passion

Teacher Training Funding and Scholarships

Navigating the financial aspects of teacher training can be as essential as choosing the right teaching course. As you're considering whether to train to teach, it's important to understand the various funding options that support your educational journey:

Student Finance and Bursaries: Like undergraduates, teacher training students are eligible for tuition fee and maintenance loans. Financial support amounts depend on several factors, including the subject you've elected to teach, your qualifications, and personal circumstances. For example:

• Certain high-demand subjects offer generous bursaries, such as up to £28,000 for chemistry, computing, maths, and physics.
• Funding levels can vary; prospective trainees in English, Music, or Art and Design may receive bursaries of £10,000, while geography or modern foreign languages might receive bursaries of £25,000.

Additionally, for those on salaried teacher training courses like School Direct (salaried) or Teach First, you’ll earn as you learn, serving as an alternative to traditional financial aid.

Scholarships and Extra Support: Scholarships serve as an enhancement to the standard bursary, offering both a prestigious title and a higher financial incentive. Applying for these requires you to approach the relevant scholarship body, each having its own deadline. Remember that these scholarships replace the bursary, not supplement it.

Extra support exists for trainees with disabilities, those with caring responsibilities, and veterans, including a £40,000 tax-free bursary for ex-service personnel in specific subjects. Scholarships and bursaries are paid by the teacher training provider in at least 10 equal monthly installments.

Non-salaried teacher training courses come with a bursary of up to £27,000, depending on the subject and your degree classification, specifically open to UK/EU students with settled or pre-settled status.

When exploring online teaching courses or face-to-face pgce teaching, you should also consider:

Applying for Financial Aid:

• Check the UCAS and the Get Into Teaching websites for comprehensive guides on teacher training funding.
• For the teacher training bursary, ensure you meet the eligibility criteria considering your subject, qualifications, and the class of the degree.
• Investigate additional funding sources, like UCL's array of scholarships offering tuition fee assistance and maintenance loans, and ensure to apply within the set deadlines.

Looking ahead to train to teach during the 2023-24 academic year, it's advisable to review the latest information on bursaries and scholarships, especially for subjects with broader residency criteria, such as languages and physics. By understanding these financial frameworks and planning accordingly, you'll place yourself on a secure footing to pursue a valued teaching qualification such as the level 3 or level 5 teaching qualification, imparting knowledge to the future generation with less financial stress.

Teacher Training Levels: Course Content and Structure Information

Teacher training in the UK is as varied as the classrooms you might find yourself in. Your training will be organised around the key stages (KS) you wish to teach. These stages group pupils by age and educational level, starting with early years education (ages 3-5) followed by KS1 (ages 5-7), KS2 (ages 7-11), KS3 (ages 11-14), and finally KS4 (ages 14-16). Tailoring your teaching course to a particular stage ensures you're equipped with the specific knowledge and skills to effectively educate within that age range.

The curriculum across these stages includes core subjects such as English, maths, and science, which form the bedrock of primary and secondary education. At KS3, computing is added to this essential mix, and at KS4, pupils must engage in modern foreign languages. Religious education spans all key stages, though parents have the right to withdraw their children from these lessons. Importantly, while certain subjects are compulsory, schools maintain the freedom to introduce additional subjects and topics that enrich the educational experience.

Your pursuit of a teacher training course, be it PGCE teaching or a level 3 or level 5 teaching qualification, will culminate in achieving Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This is essential if your goal is to teach in maintained primary, secondary, or special schools in England.

Online teaching courses also echo the structure of their in-person counterparts, offering similar content tailored for those who need more adaptable study schedules. These courses, available through accredited providers, are on the cusp of change. Following a considerable review of Initial Teacher Training (ITT), the government recognised the need for greater quality and consistency, initiating an accreditation process for ITT providers. From September 2024, accredited providers will ensure that their curricula meet the newly enhanced ITT criteria, focusing on areas critical to teacher development and readiness for the classroom.

The ambition behind these changes is clear: to deliver world-class teacher training that is both rigorous and evidence-based throughout the entirety of a teacher's career. As you search for a teacher training course via the relevant UK websites, consider how these formats align with your personal aspirations, qualifications, and lifestyle. A well-chosen training route will not only fulfil the necessary qualifications but will also immerse you in a structured environment conducive to becoming a highly effective educator, ready to inspire the next generation.

Practical Experience

Embarking on practical experience in schools is a fundamental step in your teacher training journey. It immerses you in the realities of a classroom, giving you the opportunity to witness effective lesson delivery, grasp classroom management nuances, and understand the intricacies of subject-specific pedagogy. This vital hands-on experience not only aids your decision-making process regarding whether teaching is the right fit for you but also allows you to discern your preference for teaching at the primary or secondary level. Engaging in this practical component could pave the way to foster connections with potential employers, setting a solid foundation for your future career.

Experience as a Teaching Assistant can also help you massively on your way to becoming a teacher.

As you contemplate your teacher training course options, including online teaching courses or PGCE teaching, you have multiple avenues to gain school experience:

• 'Get School Experience' Service: The UK Government provides a structured opportunity to spend one to two days, with the possibility of extending up to three weeks, in a school setting. You can arrange visits independently through this service by reaching out to local schools, gaining first-hand insight into the teaching environment.

• Teaching Internships: For those pursuing undergraduate or master’s degrees and considering train to teach in areas like chemistry, computing, languages, maths, or physics, funded internships provide a stipend while you gain valuable classroom exposure.

Alternative experiences that can enhance your teaching course application include:

• Virtual Learning: Access to pre-recorded lessons and a plethora of online resources can give you a glimpse into various teaching styles and strategies.
• Volunteering: Involvement in extracurricular activities such as sports coaching, after-school clubs, or youth groups will bolster your understanding of child development and group dynamics.

The landscape of professional development in education is ever-evolving. High-quality, continuous learning opportunities are quintessential for teacher satisfaction and education quality. Recent developments underscore the importance of well-rounded professional development, including:

• Specialist Training: Updated reviews highlight an increasing need for enhanced training in supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and training focused on mental health and well-being.
• Early Career Framework (ECF): This initiative supports the ongoing learning of those new to the profession, reinforcing training with specialist areas of focus.
• Reformed NPQs: A suite of reformed national professional qualifications (NPQs) offers teachers and leaders the chance to specialise further in areas of teaching or leadership.

Certification and Qualifications

As your teacher training course comes to an end, obtaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is a pivotal step towards your teaching profession in England.

• Awarding of QTS: In England, the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) oversees the awarding of QTS. Teachers trained in England or Wales receive this status automatically, with the latter's qualification recognised in England.
• Requirements for Overseas Teachers: If you've trained in Northern Ireland or Scotland, an application for QTS is required to teach in maintained schools or non-maintained special schools in England. Those with qualifications from outside the UK should seek specific guidance on routes to QTS tailored for international qualifications.

Successfully gaining QTS marks the start of your career as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) – check out our full guide for Early Career teachers here!

Support and Resources

As you progress through your teacher training, it's crucial to be aware of the vast array of support systems and resources designed to guide and enrich your experience as a trainee teacher. The following resources are tailored to address specific facets of your professional growth:

University of Brighton ITE Partnership: This resource hub provides invaluable support across various key areas essential to your development:

• Safeguarding: Gain insights into important safeguarding concerns with resources on issues such as bullying, children missing from education, gender-based violence, and mental health.
• Literacy and Numeracy Support: Strengthen your foundational skills, critical for teaching proficiency across all subjects.
• Cultural Diversity and PSHE: Equip yourself with the knowledge to foster an inclusive classroom that caters to a rich tapestry of cultural backgrounds.
• Citizenship: Understand how to instil fundamental British values within your teaching practices. To access these resources, visit Brighton ITE Partnership Resources.

Teach First: Teach First extends its support with various initiatives and resources that are particularly useful in these challenging times. A few key highlights are:

• A comprehensive guide for running a summer school and navigating the complex landscape of education during the pandemic.
• Collaboration with Oak National Academy to provide a rich repository of online teaching resources.
• Online forums for real-time discussions to connect with peers and experts in the field.

For more information, visit Teach First Resources.

Government Funding and Mental Health Support: Additional support channels include:

• Government scholarships, bursaries, and salary grants worth £196 million have been allocated to support trainee teachers through your Initial Teacher Training (ITT), helping you focus on your training without financial barriers.

• Education Support, a dedicated UK charity, is at your service to promote mental health wellbeing, providing a variety of supports such as a helpline and financial grants. Explore their resources at Education Support for Teachers.

By tapping into these comprehensive resources, you can enhance your teaching course knowledge, broaden your pedagogical skills, and fortify your support network. These provisions offer the tools you’ll need to successfully train to teach, encompassing everything from PGCE teaching to level 3 teaching qualification and level 5 teaching qualification. Investing time in exploring these resources will serve to not only support you throughout your teacher training course but also set a solid foundation for your future career in education.

FAQs

How long does teacher training typically take in the UK?

Teacher training courses in the UK usually take one year to complete if studied full-time. Undergraduate routes like the Bachelor of Education (BEd) typically take three to four years. Part-time and flexible routes may take longer, depending on the programme's structure.

What sort of salary could I expect at first?

Well, it varies depending on various factors – including where you live. Specifically, where you live in relation to London.

See our full guide to Early Career Teacher pay here.

Can I specialise in a particular subject or educational level during my teacher training?

Yes, most teacher training routes allow you to specialise in a particular subject (for secondary education) or focus on a specific educational level (early years, primary, or secondary). Specialisation often depends on your qualifications and the course you choose.

What are Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses, and who needs them?

SKE courses are designed for individuals who wish to teach a subject but need to deepen their knowledge before starting teacher training. They are especially useful for career changers or those whose degrees did not focus extensively on the subject they wish to teach.

How competitive is the application process for teacher training programmes?

The competitiveness of teacher training programmes can vary by the route, institution, and subject area. High-demand subjects like sciences, maths, and languages may offer more bursaries and may have different levels of competition compared to other subjects.

Is there a maximum age limit for starting teacher training?

No, there is no maximum age limit for starting teacher training in the UK. Teaching is a profession that welcomes entrants from all stages of life, including those making a career change later in life.

How do I choose the right teacher training course for me?

Consider your career goals, lifestyle, learning preferences, and the subject or age group you wish to teach. Research different training routes and institutions, attend open days, and speak to current teachers or trainees. Consider factors such as course content, location, length, and funding options.

What happens after I complete my teacher training?

After completing your teacher training, you'll need to complete your induction period as an Early Career Teacher (ECT) if you train in England. This usually lasts for two years and is a requirement to achieve full registration as a qualified teacher.

Can I teach in other countries with a UK teaching qualification?

UK teaching qualifications are highly respected worldwide, but the ability to teach in another country depends on local regulations and the recognition of UK qualifications. It's advisable to check the specific requirements of the country where you wish to teach.

What are the prospects for career progression in teaching?

Teaching offers numerous paths for career progression, including roles in senior teaching, curriculum development, school leadership (e.g., headteacher or SENCo), and educational consultancy. Further qualifications, such as a National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH), may be required for some positions.

How can I stay updated on changes in the education sector and continue my professional development after qualifying?

Engage with professional bodies, subscribe to educational publications, attend workshops and conferences, and pursue further qualifications like the National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) or master's degrees in education. The education sector values continuous professional development (CPD), offering many opportunities for growth and learning.