Routes into teaching

Learning outcomes

• Understand the routes into early years, primary, secondary & FE teaching
• Understand the basic entry requirements into the above
• Understand how to apply for teacher training via UCAS 
• Know where you can get additional info and support

What age range do you want to teach?

• Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) 0-5 years
• Primary 3-11 years (includes nursery, reception)
• Secondary 11-18 years (include A levels)
• Further Education 14+ age range
• Note the cross over.  This will get confusing!

Routes in more detail

Early Years Foundation Stage

• From Sept 14, early years ITT run by accredited ITT providers only
• EYTS seen as equivalent but not the same as QTS
• So in effect teachers on the 0-5 age group could have EYTS or QTS  
• Entry requirements for EYTS and QTS Early Years are the same
• However there are differences in pay scales and age range you can teach

Early Years Entry Reqs for ITT (EYTS and QTS Route)

• GCSE grade C (or equivalent) in English, maths and a science subject
• First degree from a UK HE institution or equivalent qualification (in the case of grad routes)
• Rigorous selection process designed to assess your suitability to teach
• Have passed the professional skills tests before you start ITT

Early Years (EYTS Route)

• 4 ways for early years teacher status to be awarded
• Funding is available from the (NCTL) for 2 of these routes
• Graduate entry mainstream (FT) Academic (funded)
• Graduate entry employment based (PT & funded)

Early Years (EYTS Route)

• Undergraduate entry (full-time, degree, SFE funded loans )
• Assessment only (already working in early years, self-funded)
• There is not pay parity between EYTS and QTS.
• EYTS means you cannot teach from KS1
• But an Early Years Teacher (QTS) can teach 3-7 years

Routes in more detail

"Anyone who wants to teach in a state maintained school in England & Wales needs to gain QTS, although academies can employ people without QTS if they believe they are suitably qualified"

Department for Education

Primary (the basics)

• Often age specific specialisms (3-7, 5-11, 7-11)
• Covers Key Stage 1 & 2.
• You need a sound, basic knowledge of all the subjects in the curriculum
• Two main routes 
• University based and school based

Primary basic entry reqs for ITT

• GCSE grade C (or equivalent) in English, maths and a science subject
• First degree from a UK HE institution or equivalent qualification (grad routes)
• Rigorous selection process designed to assess your suitability to teach
• Have passed the professional skills tests before you start ITT
• Classroom experience

Secondary (the basics)

• Teach 11-18 & specialise in 1 or 2 subjects (includes 6th form)
• Degree should be relevant to what you want to teach (at least 50%)
• Subject Knowledge Enhancement available for certain subjects
• Two main routes (university based and school based)
• Be aware of shortage subjects each year (extra funding)

Secondary basic entry reqs for ITT

• GCSE  C (or equivalent) in English, maths (science if KS2-3 middle school)
• First degree from a UK HE institution or equivalent qualification (grad routes)
• Rigorous selection process designed to assess your suitability to teach
• Have passed the professional skills tests before you start ITT
• Classroom experience

University-led routes: Apply via UCAS

• BEd (Hons) comes with QTS. Mainly for Primary
• PGCE (1 year FT or 2-3 years PT & comes with QTS) 
• Strong placement element (20 week average)
• Focus on teaching skills rather than subject knowledge
• Bursaries depending on subjects / grades

School-led routes

• SCITT 
• Schools Direct
• Teach First
• Understand the differences of each
• Weigh up the Pros and Cons

SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training)

• Hands on teacher training for one year run by a consortium of schools
• All SCITT courses confer QTS but not all award a PGCE
• Apply via UCAS (Apply 1 from 28th Oct, 3 choices, can be a mix)
• Tuition fees apply.  Scholarships and bursaries available (criteria apply)
• Can have a maths or MFL specialism

Schools Direct

• Similar to SCITT, school based for one year FT but can be PT 
• All school direct courses confer QTS but may not include the PGCE
• This means attendance and involvement at a uni will vary course to course
• Schools direct offer salaried and unsalaried places (Apply via UCAS)
• Tuition fees apply if a PGCE is offered, but not for salaried QTS only 

Teach First

• School based 2 year programme based in a deprived area
• 2.1 degree or above (certain subjects) & 300 UCAS points 
• Recruit on a rolling basis.  Apply early NOW for 2015 via the website
• You will gain a PGCE and QTS status
• No training fees.  Paid a salary which varies by region

Additional support for Secondary

• Premier Plus (enhanced service for priority subjects)
• Available for maths, phys, chem, MFL, comp, D&T
• Hold (or are predicted) a first class, 2:1 or 2:2 degree
• http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/premier-plus

Additional route for Primary & Secondary

• Challenge to Teach (academy version of school direct)
• Candidates will be paid around £20,000 a year for the two years of training
• 2:1 particularly interested in those studying Math, Eng Lit/Lang, Biol, Chem or Phys
• Confers QTS and a PGCE

Routes in more detail

What the law says

"Legislative regulations covering qualification requirements for FE teachers were revoked in September 2013. Individual employers are however likely to make decisions about the qualifications they require their staff to hold or work towards".

Source: http://www.feadvice.org.uk/

Further Education (the basics)

• This includes 6th form, College, Employers & Training Providers
• Learners will be 14+ (mainly 16-18 age range) 
• Wide range of qualifications and levels i.e
• Entry level to Level 4 (FdA, HNC)
• Covers A levels, BTECs, NVQs, Diplomas 

Basic entry requirements

• Qualifications will vary depending on what you want to teach
• For the PGCE Post 14 you need a degree relevant to the FE sector
• You will also need GCSE English and maths C or above
• For vocational courses you will need industry experience
• May also need a professional/craft qualification for vocational subjects

Routes into Further Education

• Three main routes: In-service, pre-service, transferring
• Pre-service: PGCE Post 14 / Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training
• In-service: Train on the job (more likely for vocational subjects)
• In-service: Could be PGCE or new Diploma L5. Will still need prof qual 
• Transfer: Hold QTS or transfer from higher education

Summary

• Complexity in entry requirements and routes
• Take ownership of your own research
• Double check routes and entry requirements
• Understand the timescales
• High competition for places.  

Applying for teaching

Teaching application process

• Most but not all opportunities on UCAS TT
• Excludes some academies and some FE providers
• UCAS Apply 1 = 3 choices
• UCAS Apply 2 - 1 choice at a time
• 40 day response period for Apply 1 & 2

UCAS Teacher Training deadlines (subject to change)

• 28th Oct 14 (Apply 1 opens)
• 2nd Jan 15(Apply 2 opens if no offer from Apply 1)
• 15th Sept 15 (Apply 1 cycle ends)
• 9th Oct 15 (Apply 2 cycle ends)
• Get applications in as early as possible. 

Student Support

Bursary information

• http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding

Main sources of information & advice

• http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching
• http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/teacher-training
• http://www.feadvice.org.uk/
• http://www.theguardian.com/education/teachertraining
• Teaching Line on freephone 0800 389 2500

Central teaching workshops: 5 steps to support you

• Step 1: Is teaching for me?
• Step 2: Routes into teaching
• Step 3: Want to teach: pre-entry checklist
• Step 4: Personal statements & application refresher
• Step 5: Teaching interviews & assessment

Questions? & Connecting with us

• www.derby.ac.uk/careers
• email: careers@derby.ac.uk
• Facebook: Derby Uni Careers Service
• Twitter: @derbyunicareers
• LinkedIn: University of Derby students and graduates