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 Scholarships Bursaries Trainee with 1st/PhD 2:1/ Masters 2:2Other Physics£25,000 £15,000£9,000 Maths£25,000 £20,000£15,000£9,000 Chemistry, computing£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 £9,000 Geography, D&T-£12,000£9,000£4,000£0 Music-£9,000£4,000 £0 English, history, RE, primary -£9,000£4,000£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, 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 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

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 part- time 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

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

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-Into- Teaching 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.

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