Turn your talent to teaching.

www.teach.gov.uk
 About teaching
03 Introduction
04 About teaching
05 The benefits of teaching
06 Who can apply?
07 Experience teaching

Initial teacher training

09 Introduction
10 Choosing a training provider
11 Choosing your age range
12 Overview of the application process
14 Undergraduate training
15 Employment-based training for non-graduates
16 Graduate training
19 Graduate Teacher Programme
21 Teach First
22 Improving your subject knowledge
24 Costs and financial support

Your teaching career

26 Introduction
27 Career progression
29 School leadership

Glossary and further information

31 Glossary of terms
33 Organisations
34 Websites

All content within this publication is correct as of September

Contents 2010. A new UK Government took office on 11 May 2010
and as a result, the content in this brochure may not reflect
02 current Government policy. For up-to-date information
please visit www.teach.gov.uk.
 Teaching is like no other job. It’s challenging,

About teaching
enjoyable and rewarding. And whether you’re
using your knowledge to inspire others, thinking
of creative ways to make a subject interesting,
or opening up young people’s minds to the
world around them – every day is different.

What’s more, as a teacher you’ll be offered

excellent training, competitive financial rewards
and career development opportunities. But most
of all, you’ll engage in inspiring interactions
every day.

About this brochure

This brochure explains how you can find out more
about teaching by spending time in a school and
by talking to teachers, and guides you through the
full range of training options. There’s information on
financial support and case studies in which teachers
talk about their experiences of training and teaching.

Turn your talent to teaching. Introduction

www.teach.gov.uk
03
About teaching

About teaching
This section covers the basics about teaching.
It sets out some of the benefits of becoming a
teacher, and explains who can apply for initial
teacher training. There is also comprehensive
information on how to find out more about
teaching, including observing a lesson through
an open school visit.

About teaching
04
 About teaching
There are many good reasons to go into teaching.
Here are just a few of them.

Rewarding interactions Please refer to the insert Time to pursue your interests
every day in the inside back cover for Teachers get up to 13 weeks
What makes teaching different to information about teacher holiday a year – plenty of time
all other jobs? It’s the company salaries and payments. to travel, pursue your interests
you get to work with every day. Go to www.teachernet.gov.uk/pay and spend time with family
From the light bulb moments, for information about pay and friends.
to the classroom banter, you’ll for all teachers. Flexible working
find no two days are ever the
same when you’re working Benefits and support Many teachers benefit from
with young people. Teaching offers a generous the opportunity to job-share
occupational pension scheme. or work on a part-time basis.
A competitive salary
In England, teachers may also be
As a newly qualified teacher eligible for help with housing
(NQT), you will work your way costs through the Government’s
up a six-point pay scale with key worker living initiative. You
annual performance-related may also qualify for additional
pay rises. Teachers who pass recruitment and retention
performance threshold incentives and benefits
assessments can move on to through the school.
a three-point upper pay scale.
You may also qualify for extra
payments for taking on extra
responsibilities that support
teaching and learning.

The benefits
of teaching

05
 Teachers come from all sorts of different backgrounds, but there
About teaching

are a few common requirements and standards that all potential

teachers need to meet.

Academic qualifications Fitness to teach Under-represented groups

To become a teacher, you When you apply for ITT, you We are committed to
will need a UK degree (or an will be asked to complete a promoting diversity in the
equivalent qualification). You self-disclosure questionnaire teaching profession, making it
must get this first if you want to confirming your physical capacity more representative of society
apply for a graduate initial teacher to teach. If you have a disability as a whole. We particularly
training (ITT) course or for the that could affect your fitness to welcome applications from
Graduate Teacher Programme teach, ITT course providers will under-represented groups in
(GTP). You can apply for a PGCE look at how they can make schools including people from
course in the third year of your reasonable adjustments for black and minority ethnic
undergraduate degree, and be your needs. backgrounds, people with
offered a place pending your disabilities, men wanting to
Criminal Records Bureau
degree results. teach in primary schools and
By law, teachers are subject people able to teach through
To be accepted on to any to a criminal records check.
ITT course, you will need the medium of Welsh in Wales.
A criminal record will only
to demonstrate a standard normally count against you
equivalent to a GCSE grade C if it affects your suitability
(or above) in English to teach. Contact the
and mathematics. Department for Education
If you want to teach primary, (DfE) teacher misconduct
you will also need to demonstrate team on 0870 001 2345
a standard equivalent to a GCSE for more information.
grade C in a science subject. Anyone who is working,
Skills tests volunteering or seeking to
If you train in England, you work or volunteer with children
will need to take three short must apply to register with
computerised skills tests in the Independent Safeguarding
numeracy, literacy and ICT. Authority (ISA). Using data
These are taken during your gathered by the Criminal Records
training course; you can take Bureau (CRB), including relevant
them as many times as you criminal convictions, police
need to at one of nearly intelligence and other appropriate
50 national test centres. sources, the ISA decides whether
a person is suited to work
Go to www.tda.gov.uk/skillstests with children.
for more information.

Who can apply?

06
 Before you apply for training, it’s a good idea to find out if teaching

About teaching
really is right for you. There are lots of ways to help you decide.
Explore the options at www.teach.gov.uk/experience

Student Associates Scheme Find out more about the Open Information about training
The Student Associates Scheme Schools Programme (England and teaching in Wales
is for students interested in gaining only) by calling the Teaching For general information about
classroom experience while Information Line (TIL) on 0845 teaching as a career, go to
pursuing their studies. It gives 6000 991. Alternatively, you www.educationcymru.org
you the chance to discover what could contact a school directly or contact the careers adviser
teaching is really like, to work to arrange your own school visit. at your local ITT provider.
alongside experienced teachers, If you’d like to know what it’s like Prepare to teach courses run
and to develop new skills. The to work with children or young by ITT providers and the Open
scheme operates in England only. people, there are other possibilities University in Wales offer the
Students are paid a tax-free too. For example, you could opportunity to experience
bursary for each day of the volunteer to work in a youth club teaching at secondary level
15 days spent in school. Please or with a scout or guide group. in the following subjects:
refer to the insert in the inside Teaching advocates • mathematics
back cover for information If you would like to talk to a
about bursaries. • science
teacher about their experiences
The scheme is open to most of the classroom, call the • modern languages
students registered on relevant Teaching Information Line (TIL) • design and technology
HND, foundation degree, on 0845 6000 991 to arrange
undergraduate degree and for a teacher to contact you. ­ • ICT
graduate programmes, subject Face-to-face recruitment • music
to certain conditions. There events
are providers of the scheme • RE
The Training and Development
throughout England. Students • Welsh
Agency for Schools (TDA) runs
should visit www.teach.gov.uk/
regular recruitment events where E-mail [email protected] for
sas to find out more about
you can talk to experienced more information.
where the scheme operates
teachers and consultants. For information about other
and how to join it.
Go to www.teach.gov.uk/events taster courses in Wales, contact
Open schools
or call the Teaching Information your local ITT provider.
Spending a day in a school is Line (TIL) on 0845 6000 991 to
a great way to find out what find out more.
teachers actually do and what
schools are like.

Experience teaching
07
 Follow the TDA on the web YouTube
About teaching

Visit the TDA’s social media sites Watch videos from our
online to ask a question about events, some exciting science
getting into teaching, or to have experiments, plus interviews with
your say on the issues that real teachers on our YouTube
matter to you. See us on page at www.youtube.com/
Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. tdacampaign
Facebook Twitter
Find out all about life as a teacher Keep up to date with all the latest
by visiting our two Facebook TDA news and videos via our
pages. Ask real teachers questions @TDANews service.
about what teaching is like, and
quiz TDA application experts
about how to apply.
Kaol Rasarathnam is a Design
and Technology teacher with
an MA in Industrial Design –
www.facebook.com/teach
Elizabeth Doyle is an Assistant
Headteacher, Director of ICT
and an Advanced Skills Teacher
– www.facebook.com/teaching

Experience teaching
08
 Initial teacher training
Initial teacher training
Whether you want to study on a full-time
or part-time basis, go to university or learn
on the job, there’s a training course to suit
you. Universities, colleges, schools and other
organisations accredited to provide ITT across
England and Wales offer a wide range of
undergraduate and graduate programmes
leading to qualified teacher status (QTS),
which is a requirement for all who teach in
state maintained schools.
Whichever option you choose, your training
will give you the knowledge and skills you need
to be an effective teacher. This section explains
the process, sets out the options for both
undergraduates and graduates, and tells you
where to go for financial and other support.

Introduction
9
 The TDA website hosts a wealth The site gives detailed
of information on ITT providers information on the routes into
designed to help trainees make ITT and also features a postcode
an informed choice on where search so trainees can search for
and how to teach. an ITT provider near their home
address. Further information
The site includes information
can be found at https://
based on Ofsted inspection
dataprovision.tda.gov.uk/public
reports about the quality of the
training courses, the proportion For performance profiles of
of trainees gaining QTS on training providers in Wales go
completion of their training, to www.hefcw.ac.uk
and the proportion of NQTs who
enter teaching-based employment
within six months of completing
Initial teacher training

their course. It also includes

results of the NQT survey,
which incorporates feedback
from NQTs and what they
thought of the training process.

Choosing a provider
10
 All teachers train in at least two consecutive age ranges
listed in the table below. Spending time in school with pupils
of different ages is the best way to decide which key stage is
right for you.

Primary training 14–19 Diploma training

Age ranges and key stages
As a trainee primary teacher you 14–19 Diploma trainees can train
will work with children from age to teach at key stage 4 and above,
3–11. Your training is likely to demonstrating the knowledge 3–5 Early years
focus on a specific age range, e.g. and understanding required to foundation stage*

Initial teacher training

3–7 or 5–11, and will enable you teach these diplomas.
to teach the primary curriculum 5–7 Key stage 1
Secondary trainees can also
including English, mathematics,
choose to engage in additional
science and in Wales, Welsh. 7–9 Lower key stage 2
diploma experience alongside
Secondary training secondary provision (above)
Secondary school trainees can to enhance their training. 9–11 Upper key stage 2
train to teach pupils from age
11-19. Your training is likely to 11–14 Key stage 3
focus on a specific age range, e.g.
11-16 or 14-19. You will train to 14– Key stage 4
teach one or two subjects and 16
you will need to demonstrate
a sufficient level of subject 16– Post-16
knowledge to enable you to 19
teach the subject(s) effectively.
* From September 2008,
the staged implementation of the
foundation phase began in Wales.
The foundation phase covers the age
range 3–7 and further information can
be found at www.wales.gov.uk/topics/
educationandskills/earlyyearshome/
foundation_phase/?lang=en

Choosing your
age range
11
 The application process varies from provider to provider.
You can find out more in the detailed sections on training
for undergraduates and graduates. But there are some
common aspects, designed to give you the best possible
opportunity to demonstrate your suitability as a teacher.

Completing your application You’ll also need to provide a

When you make your referee. If you are at university
Initial teacher training

application you will need to or college, or have finished your

provide information about studies within the past five years,
your achievements to date. your referee should be a tutor
You’ll also be asked to provide who can comment on your
a personal statement setting academic achievements and
out why you want to teach. suitability for teaching. If you
finished your studies more
This statement is your than five years ago, your referee
opportunity to convince your should be somebody who knows
chosen provider that you can you well enough to write with
make a positive contribution authority about you, for example,
to school life, and that your an employer, training officer or
knowledge, skills and interests careers adviser. Choose someone
are relevant to the subjects who can vouch for your suitability
and age range you’ve chosen. as a teacher, and your enthusiasm
Previous experience of working and aptitude for your subject.
with children is very important, If you apply online, your referees
so if you’ve spent time in a will need to provide confidential
school, as a play scheme online references.
organiser, or working for your
local scout or guide group,
you should include this on
your application.
It’s worth taking time to put
your application together.
No matter how impressive your
achievements and experience,
spelling mistakes, poor grammar
or illegible handwriting will
undermine your application.

Overview of the
application process
12
The interview For primary courses, you may

Initial teacher training

Initial teacher training

An interview is an essential part be asked to complete a written
of the application process for test to assess your knowledge
all initial teacher training (ITT). of the curriculum and your basic
Interviews usually take place over numeracy and literacy skills. For
a full day, and you will be sent a secondary courses, you may be
programme beforehand. The aim asked to bring a portfolio showing
is for you and the interviewers to achievements in your subject.
find out if teaching is right for you. Online help
In your interview (with one For help with both your
person or a small panel), you will application and interview the
be asked about your experience TDA has some online tools to aid
of working with young people, you. Please visit www.tda.gov.
your commitment to teaching, uk/recruit/thetrainingprocess/
your training needs, and your makingyourapplication.aspx
relevant knowledge and skills.
Interviewers will be looking for
good communication skills and
subject knowledge, and an
awareness of your own
strengths and weaknesses.
As well as an individual interview
there may be group tasks, such as
giving a presentation, teaching a
mini-lesson, or taking part in a
group discussion. Interviewers will
be looking for teamworking and
communication skills, and the
ability to solve problems.

Overview of the
application process
13
 On an undergraduate training course, you’ll be studying for
a degree and training as a teacher at the same time. You can
also opt for other various employment-based routes.

As an undergraduate, you can How to apply Applications are made online via
choose to work towards a BEd – The Universities and Colleges the UCAS website. Their progress
a degree in education which Admissions Service (UCAS) can also be tracked online. The
combines ITT with subject studies deals with applications for UCAS application fee for the 2011
– or a BA/BSc with QTS, where undergraduate training courses. application cycle is £11 for a
teacher training is a supplement You can apply for up to five single course and £21 for two
to your subject degree. Full-time courses. Applications should be or more.
Initial teacher training

courses usually take three to four made between September and

years; part-time courses take six January for courses starting in the
to eight years. following September or October.
Choosing your training provider For a full list of courses leading to
QTS, go to www.ucas.com and
Research your course and training
search for ‘QTS’ in the Course
provider thoroughly. Look on
Search section.
www.tda.gov.uk/pprofiles
for performance profiles for
all training providers in England.
Go to www.hefcw.ac.uk for
performance profiles for Welsh
training providers. You can use
the course search function
on www.ucas.com to view
Entry Profiles for most courses
plus up-to-date vacancy
information and links to
training providers’ websites.
Key dates
• Early September: opening date for applications.
• 15 January: completed applications, including a
reference, should have been sent to UCAS.
• 30 June: the final deadline. All applications received
by UCAS by this date are processed and sent to the
universities and colleges.
• 30 June: applications that UCAS receive after this date
will not be sent to the universities and colleges in the
normal way. Instead these applications will go directly
into ‘Clearing’.

Undergraduate
training
14
 Initial teacher training
The Registered Teacher Finding an RTP place How to apply
Programme RTP places are limited. You are Each EBITT has its own
The Registered Teacher advised to consider completing application process and deadlines
Programme (RTP) is an your degree, then applying for a – usually well in advance of
employment-based programme place on a training programme. programme start dates.
for non-graduates with some
In England, RTP places are offered In England, your application will
experience of higher education.
by employment-based initial be assessed by the EBITT. You
The programme operates in
teacher training providers (EBITTs).will need to provide detailed
England only and is currently not
Go to www.teach.gov.uk/rtp for information about your education
available in Wales.
a full list of EBITTs. and experience of working in
To join the programme, you’ll schools. If your application is
EBITTs usually recruit locally and
need to be working in a school selected for the next stage, you
for the September term, although
as an instructor. You’ll also need to will be invited to take part in an
some will recruit for January and
have completed at least two years interview and selection process,
April. For more information go
of higher education, equivalent to which may involve identifying
to www.teach.gov.uk or call the
240 credit accumulation and your individual training needs. If
Teaching Information Line (TIL)
transfer scheme (CATS) points you are offered a place, the EBITT
on 0845 6000 991.
(for example, an HND or part of will design an individually tailored
a degree). It will take at least one For more information visit training plan to help you meet
year (usually two) to gain QTS www.educationcymru.org or the standards for the award of
on the RTP. See the enclosed call the Teaching Information Line QTS. You will also need to talk
leaflet in the inside back (TIL) on 0845 6000 991 (0845 to your school and provider
cover for information about 6000 992 for Welsh speakers). about completing your degree.
starting salaries.

Employment-based training
for non-graduates
15
 If you have a degree, there are several routes you can take to
QTS. Trainees wishing to teach at secondary level will have a
background in a subject related to the one they wish to teach.

PGCE The experience All SCITT courses lead to QTS,

The professional and The PGCE focuses on the skills, and many will award you a PGCE,
postgraduate certificates in knowledge, understanding and validated by a higher education
education (PGCE) are popular attributes needed to teach in the institution, on completion.
routes to QTS and usually take classroom. The course will include The experience
one academic year to complete, experience of teaching and
This route is open to graduates
though you may prefer to take a training in at least two schools
Initial teacher training

and is taught by a combination

part-time PGCE over two years, and time in a college setting
of practising teachers and Higher
allowing you time to build up attending seminars and tutorials
Education staff. While most of
your subject knowledge. Some with other trainees.
the time will be spent in one
higher education institutions Things to consider school, trainees also complete
(HEIs) also offer flexible distance school-based training experiences
Although you receive no salary
learning. The professional in other schools in the area.
on the PGCE, there are many
graduate certificate in education
funding options available, please A consortia of schools and
is the same level academically
see the insert at the back of colleges run SCITT courses all
as the final year of an honours
this brochure. over England. SCITT courses
degree course (H level). The
postgraduate certificate in SCITT are available for primary and
education contains some credits secondary and cater for every
Style of training
at masters degree level (M level subject. While there are no SCITTs
An alternative to the PGCE is running in Wales, some consortia
credits) and H level credits. school-centred initial teacher run on the English-Welsh border
Style of training training (SCITT), which involves and may use Welsh schools as
PGCE courses are offered completing your teacher training part of their programmes.
at numerous HEIs across the programme in a school, rather
country, so it’s a good idea to than a university environment.
research courses and training
providers thoroughly to help
you make the right decision.

Graduate training
16
Things to consider Financial support for PGCE
The SCITT route would suit and SCITT routes Key dates
graduates who may be looking for Eligible trainees on PGCE or SCITT • Early September: start of
very local training or who prefer courses may receive a tax-free the application cycle. Early
to be in schools for the whole training bursary. The precise application is recommended.
course. SCITT programmes amount depends on the subject,
• 1 December: if you are
usually have small cohorts of where you train, and the date
applying for primary
students. Funding options are your course starts. Please see
teaching courses, the
available for SCITT trainees, the insert at the back of this
GTTR must receive your
please see the insert at the brochure for information about
application by 1 December
back of this brochure. financial support.
to guarantee that they
Requirements for the PGCE If you do need to enrol on a can send it to your first
route and SCITT programmes pre-training course to enhance choice training provider
your subject knowledge, you may for consideration.
To enrol on a PGCE route or

Initial teacher training

Initial teacher training

also receive financial support
any SCITT programme you • Mid-March: unplaced
while on the course. Pre-training
need to demonstrate a standard applicants can apply to
courses vary in length; please refer
equivalent to a GCSE grade C or providers that still have
to the insert enclosed in the inside
above in English and mathematics. places using GTTR’s online
back cover for financial support
If you want to teach primary, you Extra service.
details. The length of the course
will also need to demonstrate a
you take will depend on how • 1 July: clearing begins.
standard equivalent to a GCSE
much subject knowledge Unplaced applicants can
grade C in a science subject. You
you need. apply direct to providers
will need a UK undergraduate
with places available.
degree (or recognised equivalent). Finding out more about
If your degree is not closely PGCE and SCITT courses
related to the subject you wish
You can investigate SCITT and
to teach, your ITT provider may
PGCE courses on the Graduate
recommend that you enrol on a
Teacher Training Registry website
pre-training course to enhance
www.gttr.ac.uk. It lists all
your subject knowledge.
the ITT providers in the GTTR
application system, and you can
search by subject or geographical
region. There are some SCITT
courses that require you to apply
direct to the institution.

Graduate training
17
 Sabina’s story
Post: Maths NQT, secondary school
Education and training: Biochemistry degree, maths enhancement
course and PGCE
Years in teaching: Three
“I did a science degree, but when I came out of university I knew I
couldn’t work in an office; I like to be around lots of people and I
thought teaching would be a career where every day is different.
My maths knowledge was strong enough from my degree, but I
didn’t feel confident enough to go straight onto the PGCE. So I did
a maths enhancement course. I really enjoyed it, I made loads of
friends, and that really helped me when it came to going on to the
Initial teacher training

PGCE course as I knew faces before I joined.

I feel like I made huge strides in my confidence and teaching ability
in my last school placement. I’m not really nervous these days as
I feel they prepare you well on the PGCE. The tutors were really
supportive too.
Every class is different, as is every lesson. Even if you are teaching
the same topic to the same year group throughout the day you
have to teach it in different ways according to the class. It’s so
challenging, I can’t see myself ever getting bored. ”

Julia’s story

Post: ICT teacher

Education and training: Computer science degree and GTP
Years in teaching: Six
“After taking a career break from my role as a software engineer,
I decided to enter the teaching profession. I felt I wanted to do
something completely different to what I had been doing
previously. So after taking a short break from IT, I started helping
out at a local school and really enjoyed it. I then found out a bit
more about the profession and decided to enrol on an ICT place
within the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP).
The knowledge I gained from my first career really comes in useful
as I can show students how ICT relates to the real world. I also enjoy
showing students the practical elements of what they’re learning.
They never have to think ‘why am I learning this, I’ll never use it?’
I have also found the creativity involved in teaching extremely
Case study rewarding. I love having to discover new ways of bringing my subject
to life, including coming up with practical demonstrations to get an
18 idea across. I just can’t imagine going back to an office job now.”
Graduate Teacher Information about providers Finance
Programme and what they require you to Trainees receive the unqualified
do prior to applying, along with teacher salary; please refer to the
Style of training application dates, is available leaflet enclosed in the inside back
The Graduate Teacher through the GTP search cover for salary details.
Programme (GTP) allows you to facility on the TDA website
complete initial teacher training www.tda.gov.uk/gtp Things to consider
in a school environment, in The GTP would ideally suit career
Once you have chosen a GTP
England or Wales, while you work changers who want to earn as
training provider – and found an
as an unqualified teacher. The they train. Each GTP trainee’s
employing school if required by
training usually lasts for one year course is tailored to their
that training provider – you can
but can be shorter, depending individual needs and can last
then apply for a place on the
on how much experience you from three to 12 months. In
GTP. Applications for the GTP
already have. This route is very England, previous school
in England must be made
popular and competition is high. experience is essential and

Initial teacher training

Initial teacher training

electronically, through the TDA
the competition for GTP
The experience website www.tda.gov.uk/gtp
places is high.
This on-the-job route completely If you are having difficulties
submerges the trainee in school completing the online application
life from day one and the form, or require further advice
programme is especially tailored about the GTP in England, please
to meet individual trainee needs. contact the Teaching Information
GTP trainees will take classes of Line on 0845 6000 991 for
their own and receive help and advice and assistance.
support from staff mentors at
the school and another mentor. In Wales, GTP places are
allocated by the Welsh Assembly
In England, GTP places are Government and applications
offered by employment-based are made via a recommending
initial teacher training providers body (RB). To find out more
(EBITTs). Some EBITTs will help about the GTP in Wales go to
you find a school in which to www.educationcymru.org
undertake the GTP, while others or call the Teaching Information
will expect you to find a school Line (TIL) on 0845 6000 991
before applying. GTP training (0845 6000 992 for
providers usually recruit well Welsh speakers).
in advance of the programme.
Starting dates and application
deadlines will vary between
training providers.

Graduate teacher
programme
19
 Noorizah’s story

Post: Science teacher

Education and training: Biology degree and GTP
Years in teaching: Three

“I did a degree in biology in Mauritius, where I’m from, then

went to work with GlaxoSmithKline for seven years. I ran
conferences and taught doctors and nurses how to prescribe
new drugs properly. I gained a lot of communication and
people skills.
The whole experience made me realise how much I enjoyed
the feeling of having an audience in front of me and interacting
“I enjoy building
Initial teacher training

with them. This was a major reason why I considered teaching.

I started reading about the different ways into teaching on the relationships and the
TDA website, and one of the ways that appealed to me was the pastoral care side of
Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) route. I also spent some teaching. I never had time
time in schools observing classes before applying, which really
convinced me that teaching was the career for me.
to build those kinds of
relationships before, and
I now teach chemistry, physics and biology. Whenever I can I try
to give creative homework – I’m amazed how children respond.
when you’re being
You always have to find different ways to engage with them. responded to in such a
Today we were learning about muscles and blood, endurance positive way it makes
and resistance, and ended up having an arm wrestle! It was so such a huge difference.”
much fun and everyone was laughing, but learning too.
In industry you have to be very professional in terms of
attitude and appearance, and you have to be on time. You
also have to be very organised, and I’ve transferred all of these
skills to teaching to manage the classwork, homework and all
the planning.
I enjoy building relationships and the pastoral care side of
teaching. I never had time to build those kinds of relationships
before, and when you’re being responded to in such a positive
way it makes such a huge difference.
If everything goes well, I have my sights set on working my way
up to become head of science in a couple of years. My ambition
is to achieve excellent teacher status − that’s very important
to me. I know with hard work and determination I can reach
that goal.”

Case study
20
Teach First On joining Teach First, you will
be employed by the school
Teach First is an independent
where you are placed. You will
charity which recruits, trains,
receive a training salary during
places and supports exceptional
the first year on the unqualified
graduates to become teachers
teacher pay scale and the normal
and leaders who can make a real
newly qualified teacher salary
difference in the most challenged
during the second year of the
secondary and primary schools.
programme. Your salary,
It places teachers in six regions
benefits and terms and
of England – East Midlands,
conditions will depend on
London, North East, North West,
where you are placed. Visit
West Midlands and Yorkshire
www.teachfirst.org.uk for
and the Humber.
more information.
Teach First combines initial

Initial teacher training

Initial teacher training

teacher training with access to
coaching from leading employers,
networking opportunities and a
bespoke leadership development
programme. Beyond the two year
programme, graduates are
supported to engage with the
mission as Teach First
ambassadors.

Teach First
21
 Before you start your graduate initial teacher training,
you’ll want to make sure your subject knowledge is up to
scratch. There are a number of options open to candidates
in England.

Subject knowledge Which subject knowledge Modern foreign languages

enhancement courses enhancement course would If you wish to teach modern
Subject knowledge enhancement you like to take? foreign languages, many providers
courses are available for The length of subject knowledge require you to have knowledge of
graduates who are interested enhancement course you need two foreign languages before you
Initial teacher training

in teaching, but who need to to take will depend on how start training to teach. If you are
develop their subject knowledge much knowledge of the subject fluent in one foreign language,
before starting teacher training. you already have. you can extend your skills by
learning a second language to a
These courses are intended to For example, if you only need to
level that enables you to teach
offer you the flexibility to follow brush up on some aspects of the
pupils in secondary schools.
the best route to meeting the subject you wish to teach, then a
subject knowledge requirements short, two-week course may be Funding for subject knowledge
of teacher training. The most most appropriate. enhancement courses
popular course lengths are two Eligible trainees will receive a
However, if you only have
weeks, six months and one year, training bursary* for a one-year
knowledge of the subject up to
but there are many intervals in subject knowledge enhancement
A-level (or equivalent) standard
between. Courses are offered in a course. See the leaflet enclosed
you may need to enrol on a
number of formats, such as full- in the inside back cover for bursary
longer course. For example, you
time, part-time, distance learning details. However, the precise
may have an A-level in the
or a combination of these, and amount you receive will depend
subject, have an element of it
can start at different points on the length and type (full-
in your degree course, or have
during the year. time, distance learning etc) of
occupational experience of
The full range of flexibility the subject. the course.
is available for people who The trainee does not have to pay
are interested in teaching fees to the provider for the subject
mathematics, physics and knowledge enhancement course.
chemistry. In other subject
* Please note: only ‘home’ and EU
areas there is less flexibility. trainees are eligible for the training
Please see www.teach.gov.uk/ bursary, in line with funding
arrangements for initial teacher training.
enhancement for more
information.

Improving your
subject knowledge
22
 Initial teacher training
Courses are available in the A small number of places are
following subjects and course available on one-year courses
lengths throughout England, in the following subjects:
with lengths from two weeks other sciences, music and
to one year: religious education.
• mathematics (secondary level) See www.teach.gov.uk/
enhancement for more
• physics (secondary level)
information on these courses.
• chemistry (secondary level) You can also approach your
• design and technology local initial teacher training
(secondary level) providers for further information,
including whether or not they
• information and offer a subject knowledge
communications technology enhancement course.
(secondary level)
• modern languages
(secondary level)

Improving your
subject knowledge
23
 Whatever your route into teaching, you could benefit from the
range of financial support on offer both during and after your
training. All bursaries and grants are subject to conditions and
are not available to trainees on employment-based programmes,
who will receive a salary on the unqualified teacher pay scale.

Training bursaries in England* you will not have to repay. This Loans

Graduate trainees in England will be means-tested by your Student loans are available to
Initial teacher training

who are classed as ‘home’ or local authority. help you; the interest rates are
‘European Union’ may be eligible If you are training on a graduate linked to inflation, so the amount
for a tax-free bursary. Please route to QTS, and are classed as you pay back will be the same
refer to the leaflet enclosed a ‘home’ student, an annual, in≈real terms as the amount you
in the inside back cover for all non-repayable maintenance grant borrowed. You start paying back
bursary details. may be available, part of which is the loan once you finish your
means-tested. For further details course and are earning over a
Fees in England
about these grants, please refer certain amount.
Universities and colleges can
to the leaflet enclosed in the Student loans are also available
charge new full-time students
inside back cover. to ‘home’ students to help with
tuition fees. Exactly what
you’re charged depends on the To apply for a maintenance grant, living costs, and most trainee
university or college you attend, you will need to contact your teachers are eligible for a loan,
your course, and where in the UK local authority. If you are eligible depending on circumstances.
you study. Check your university for the grant, it will be paid to you For more information, visit
or college prospectus to find out by the Student Loans Company. www.direct.gov.uk and
the tuition fees for your course. If you are classed as ‘independent’, www.slc.co.uk
For information about financial the assessment will be based on Full financial support details
support to help pay your fees, your own household income for fees and loans are outlined
please see section on loans. (which may include your partner’s in the leaflet enclosed in the
income) rather than your parents’ inside back cover.
Grants
income. If you are a graduate
You will also need to allow for student applying for the non- Training bursaries in Wales
living expenses. If you are training means-tested element of the
The package of support available
to teach via an undergraduate grant, you will not need to for courses in Wales ensures that
route, an annual maintenance provide details of your Welsh students benefit from the
grant may be available, which household income. same level of support as students
in England.

Costs and
financial support
24 *Please note that the packages of financial support listed in this section are not
available to trainees on employment-based routes.
From 2010/11 eligible graduate The secondary undergraduate In England, all undergraduate
trainees in Wales who are classed placement grant is available via and graduate trainees can apply
as ‘home’ or ‘EU’ are eligible for ITT providers in Wales to support for discretionary, means-tested
a tax-free training grant. Please undergraduates during their hardship funds. These are
see the leaflet enclosed in the school placement. A grant is sometimes awarded as a loan.
inside back cover for details of available annually for priority For more information, contact
training grants in Wales or visit subject courses. your training provider.
www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
If you are undertaking a secondary In Wales, additional help is
to find out more.
ITT graduate course through the available to those from low
Fees in Wales medium of Welsh, you may be income families. There is also
HEIs can charge tuition fees; most eligible to apply for a grant extra help for students with
trainee teachers can take out a payment under the Welsh special circumstances. Go to
loan to cover the cost of their fees Medium Improvement Scheme. www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
and apply for a means- tested Decisions on eligibility will be for more information.

Initial teacher training

Initial teacher training

Assembly Learning Grant (ALG). made by the participating ITT
Local authorities in both England
Please refer to the leaflet providers. Please refer to the
and Wales can provide small
enclosed in the inside back leaflet enclosed in the inside
hardship grants.
cover of this brochure for details back cover for details or go to
about fees and loans, or visit www.studentfinancewales.co.uk For more information on
www.studentfinancewales.co.uk for more information on student financial support, go to:
and www.educationcymru.org financial support in Wales. • www.direct.gov.uk
Living expenses in Wales Help with financial hardship • www.wales.gov.uk
You can take out a maintenance Additional financial help is
• www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
loan available for students available for trainees, including
studying in Wales. The loan is paid childcare grants, and an allowance
back according to your earnings, for any extra costs directly
once you have completed your associated with a disability.
course and earn over a certain
amount. Details of loans are
outlined in the leaflet enclosed
in the inside back cover.

Costs and
financial support
25
 Your teaching career
Qualifying as a teacher and starting work in
a school is the first step towards a rewarding
career. As a teacher, you can look forward
Your teaching career

to plenty of opportunities to take on new

responsibilities and continue developing
your knowledge and skills. In this section,
you can find out more about what to expect
during your first year of teaching, the various
career progression routes you can follow, and
becoming a school leader.

Introduction
26
 As your career develops there will be opportunities to
take on new responsibilities, such as managing a subject
department or becoming an advanced skills teacher.

The newly qualified teacher Advanced skills teachers Professional development

(NQT) pay scale Becoming an advanced skills As a teacher you’re used to
NQTs start on a six-point pay teacher (AST) is an opportunity thinking about the needs of
scale and move up a point each for experienced teachers to take your pupils. It’s also important
year, subject to satisfactory on new challenges and move that you’re able to further your
performance. Depending on on to a higher pay scale while own development.
your performance, you may remaining classroom teachers.
For some teachers and teams
be able to progress up the scale ASTs disseminate good practice
of teachers, the most effective
more quickly. to schools other than their own,
learning and development is a
by working in other schools.
There are also opportunities to sustained, in-depth programme
support pupils across the school ASTs’ pay will depend on the of study that leads to a
by leading a year group, tackling nature of their work and their postgraduate award.
barriers to learning, or working skills and experience, and will Please refer to the insert enclosed
with pupils who are at risk of be determined by the school’s in the inside back cover for details
being excluded. governing body and headteacher. of pay scales and extra incentives.
Moving on to the upper Excellent Teacher Scheme
pay scale The Excellent Teacher Scheme
Within the first five years of being offers experienced classroom
a teacher, subject to satisfactory teachers a rewarding route to
performance, you will reach the career advancement, and is an

Your teaching career

top of the six-point main pay alternative to existing routes
scale. You will then have the such as leadership group posts.
opportunity to take a performance Excellent teachers use and share
threshold assessment. If you are their skills in classroom teaching
successful you will move on to for the benefit of professional
the upper pay scale. development of other teachers
within their school.

Career
progression
27
 Stuart’s story

Post: Head of Upper Sixth Form

Education and training: Economics and economic history
degree and PGCE
Years in teaching: Six

“I was a money broker in the city until I was diagnosed with a

neurological condition called transverse myelitis which affects
my mobility and limits me to working part-time.
After I came to terms with my illness, and had undergone
extensive rehabilitation, I enrolled on an undergraduate course
in economics and economic history at the London School of
Economics. In my final year I started helping out the first year
students with their work, and someone said to me ‘You know,
when you explain things I seem to understand them. You could
“The reward for ambition do this teaching thing for a living’. That’s when I enrolled on a
and hard work is excellent, PGCE in business and economics.
and this is certainly My teacher training was quite challenging as I don’t think the
reflected in the salary.” provider had had many disabled students prior to me, but my
mentors and peers were very supportive, and it proved to be
a very productive and rewarding experience.
The government scheme – Access To Work − helped cover
the initial cost of equipment such as my wheelchair, and the PC
Tablet and projector I use to replicate standing at the whiteboard.
Teaching has changed a great deal now. The rewards for
Your teaching career

ambition and hard work are there, and this is certainly now
reflected in the salary and career paths.
I like to keep the children engaged by keeping the lessons as
real as possible. I teach economics and politics – so we read the
papers, watch news videos, and fervently debate issues in class.
Every year we go into the city to meet my former colleagues
and learn about economics in practice, and we even went to
the EU Parliament to take part in a conference with 15 schools
from 15 countries. To me, that’s exciting.
As for my wheelchair, it’s one of those top-of-the-range ones
that would give an F1 car a run for its money. I sometimes use
it as a reward – a free go if you do well in your exams, or a
threat – they may ‘accidentally’ get run over if they haven’t
done their homework!”

Case study
28
 Headteachers shape the vision for, lead and manage the
school community. Assistant and deputy headteachers
combine senior management with classroom teaching.
These are challenging, exciting and rewarding posts
which require a broad range of skills.

Training for leadership

The National College for
School Leadership (NCSL)
supports existing and aspiring
school leaders in England. It
also provides training for the
national professional qualification
for headship (NPQH) required by
all first-time headteachers in
England. In Wales, the Welsh
Assembly Government provides
support for school leaders.
The leadership pay scale
The leadership pay scale has
43 points altogether and the
salary range for the leadership
team will depend on the size of

Your teaching career

school, its location and the age
of the pupils. For details of the
leadership pay scale, see the
insert enclosed in the inside
back cover.

School
leadership
29
 Mike’s story

Post: Maths teacher

Years in teaching: Five

“I went into the IT industry straight from university, as a

computer programmer and then as an analyst at Citigroup.
I worked for some quite big names like IBM, M&S, and abroad
as well – in Luxembourg and France for an investment bank.
The instability of the IT industry made me consider a change
of career. I have a maths degree and teaching made sense
financially. I was nearly 50 years old and it was a case of ‘it’s
now or never!’
I was used to working nine to five staring at a screen all day,
so there was a period of adjustment once I started teaching. I
originally came as a supply teacher for a couple of months, and
during that time I got a great feeling from the staff and the kids.
“With teaching, it’s not It’s the best job! It really is the best job! Never mind the long
like a nine to five job. It’s holidays. On a daily basis you can see the pupils’ development.
I have run the football team. I was involved in the maths club
a lifestyle choice – and and the drama club. I have been on trips to France, and the
it’s a fantastic lifestyle.” skiing trip. You’re living in a community here, and that’s what
makes it so interesting. It’s more than just a job.
As well as the job satisfaction, the career progression is great
too. A newly qualified teacher starting salary is very competitive
compared with other jobs. I have also found there are plenty of

Your teaching career

Your teaching career

opportunities to take on new responsibilities, develop more skills,

and work your way up the career ladder, which of course means
more money.
My advice would be to make sure you really want to do it and
persevere. With teaching, it’s not like a nine to five job. It’s a
lifestyle choice – and it’s a fantastic lifestyle.”

Case study
30
Glossary of terms
This is a glossary of the most GCSE Local authority
common terms, abbreviations General certificate of secondary Local authorities provide services
and acronyms you are likely to education. The examination taken for schools in their area and have
come across in this booklet, and by most pupils at 16. particular responsibilities for
in other resources about teaching. helping schools to monitor
GTP
and improve performance.
AST Graduate Teacher Programme.
Advanced skills teacher. Employment-based ITT NQT
Experienced and expert teachers qualification for graduates. Newly qualified teacher. A
who spend 20 per cent of their teacher who has successfully
GTTR
time working with other teachers completed ITT and been
Graduate Teacher Training
to raise standards of teaching awarded QTS.
Registry. Deals with graduate
and learning.
applications for ITT. OTTP
BA with QTS Overseas Trained Teacher
HEI
Arts degree-level ITT Programme. If you were
Higher education institution
qualification. trained and qualified as a
(universities and colleges).
teacher overseas, the OTTP
BEd
HND offers you a way to achieve
Education degree-level ITT
Higher national diploma. QTS while working as a teacher.
qualification.
An intermediate-level
PE
BSc with QTS qualification.
Physical education.
Science degree-level ITT
ICT
qualification.
Information and communications
DfE technology.
Department for Education.
ITT
D&T Initial teacher training. Training
Design and technology. that leads to the award of QTS.
EBITT KS
Employment-based initial teacher Key stage. Training is aligned
training provider. A partnership to the key stages of school
responsible for providing GTP or education – foundation, KS1, KS2,
RTP training in England. KS3 and KS4.

Glossary

Glossary
of terms
31
 PGCE RB
Professional graduate and/or Recommending body can be
postgraduate certificate in a school, ITT provider, local
education (PGCE) qualification authority or any other body
with the award of QTS. The in Wales which is able to
professional graduate certificate meet the Welsh Assembly
in education is the same level Government’s requirements.
academically as the final year
RE
of an honours degree course
Religious education.
(H level). The postgraduate
certificate in education contains RTP
some credits at masters Registered Teacher Programme.
degree level (M level credits) An employment-based ITT
and H level credits. programme which enables you
to complete your degree while
Priority subjects
you train.
Subjects warranting additional
financial incentives. These SAS
include: Student Associates Scheme.
An opportunity for students
• mathematics
to gain classroom experience
• science while pursuing their studies.
See www.tda.gov.uk/sas
• modern languages
for more details.
• music
SCITT
• religious education School-centred initial teacher
• design and technology training. Training provided by
schools in partnership with HEIs
• ICT, and and local authorities.
• Welsh. TIL
QTS Teaching Information Line.
Qualified teacher status. The Provides information on
status trainees achieve when teaching and training. Tel:
they have met all the standards 0845 6000 991 (0845 6000
necessary to become a teacher. 992 for Welsh speakers).
To teach in a state-maintained
school as a qualified teacher you For a full glossary of terms
must have QTS. and acronyms, go to
www.teach.gov.uk
Glossary

Glossary of terms
32
Organisations
Training and Development Graduate Teacher Training Universities and Colleges
Agency for Schools (TDA) Registry (GTTR) Admissions Service (UCAS)
The Training and Development The central agency that processes The central organisation that
Agency for Schools (TDA) is the applications for most graduate ITT processes applications for
national agency and recognised courses in England and Wales. undergraduate courses at UK
sector body responsible for the universities and colleges.
Tel: 0871 468 0469
training and development of the
Tel: 0871 468 0468
school workforce. www.gttr.ac.uk
www.ucas.com
www.tda.gov.uk For information on employment-
based routes into teaching in Welsh Assembly Government
The TDA recruitment website at
Wales, contact the Teaching Develops and implements
www.teach.gov.uk provides full
Information Line (TIL). education policy in Wales
information on being a teacher,
through the Department of
training to teach, applying for Telephone: 0845 6000 991
Children, Education, Lifelong
training, training providers, 0845 6000 992 Learning and Skills.
financial support and (for Welsh speakers)
careers events. Tel: 0845 010 3300
Higher Education Funding
www.teach.gov.uk Tel: 0845 010 4400
Council for England (HEFCE)
(for Welsh speakers)
Teaching Information Line (TIL) Responsible for supporting
Information from trained teaching and research in http://new.wales.gov.uk/?lang=en
consultants about teaching, universities and colleges
training and opportunities in England.
to explore teaching further. Tel: 0117 931 7438
Tel: 0845 6000 991 www.hefce.ac.uk
0845 6000 992 Higher Education Funding
(for Welsh speakers) Council for Wales (HEFCW)
Minicom number for TIL is Responsible for the funding of
0117 9156645 higher education, including ITT
and the accreditation of ITT
Department for Education
providers in Wales.
(DfE)
The Department for Education Tel: 029 2076 1861
was formed on 12 May 2010 and www.hefcw.ac.uk
is responsible for education and
children’s services. Tel: 0870 000
2288 (general information), 0800
731 9133 (student support
information line, including
advice on student loans).
www.education.gov.uk
Glossary

Organisations
33
 Websites
www.ase.org.uk www.ssatrust.org.uk
Association for Science Specialist Schools and Academies
Education (ASE). Trust. The lead body for the
Government’s specialist
www.direct.gov.uk
schools programme.
Information on higher education,
from career planning to choosing www.teachernet.gov.uk
your course, student life and Wide-ranging online resource for
student finance. the teaching profession, including
advice on starting out in teaching,
www.estyn.gov.uk
professional development and
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for
teaching skills.
Education and Training in Wales.
Includes reports of inspections www.teachersupport.info
of schools and teacher training The Teacher Support Network is
providers. a national, independent charity
providing free support services
www.naric.org.uk
to teachers and lecturers from
National Recognition Information
training to post retirement.
Centre for the UK (UK NARIC),
the official source of information www.educationcymru.org
on comparability of international Bilingual website with information
qualifications with those in the about ITT opportunities in Wales.
United Kingdom.
www.teachers.tv
www.nc.uk.net A wide-ranging resource which
Information on national curriculum includes information on lessons
programmes of study for England planning and over 1,500 videos
(programmes of study for Wales available online.
are at www.accac.org.uk).
www.ofsted.gov.uk
Ofsted is the inspectorate for
children and learners in England.
Inspection reports on all aspects
of education, including schools
and teacher training providers.
www.skill.org.uk
National Bureau for Students
with Disabilities. Promotes
education, training and
employment opportunities
for students with any kind
of disability.
Glossary

Websites
34
Teaching Information Line (TIL): 0845 6000 991

www.teach.gov.uk
 For further information visit www.teach.gov.uk or call
the Teaching Information Line (TIL) on 0845 6000 991
The TDA is committed to providing accessible information.
To request this item in another language or format, contact
TDA corporate communications at the address below or e-mail:
[email protected]. Please tell us what you require
and we will consider with you how to meet your needs.
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