Routes into teaching

Teaching is a graduate profession, so you will need either a teaching degree leading to QTS or an undergraduate degree plus a postgraduate qualification, which can be obtained either through a university-based or a school-based path.

An undergraduate initial teacher training (ITT) course

For those who do not already have an undergraduate degree, a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) / Bachelor of Science (BSc) with qualified teacher status (QTS) course is available. These courses enable you to study for a degree and complete your ITT at the same time.

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

This is the route for those who already have a degree and wish to train as a secondary or primary school teacher. A PGCE course will develop teaching skills, and many courses may also provide support for the development of subject knowledge. PGCE courses involve a mixture of lectures, seminars and other taught sessions at the university, as well as teaching placements in schools. Find the right postgraduate teacher training course for you here.

Dedicated subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses may be available in some secondary subjects prior to embarking on the course.

On these training programmes, you will be based at a university and have classroom placements in a school. You can do an undergraduate (BEd or BA/BSc) three-year full-time course, or a postgraduate (PGCE) one-year full-time course.

In Hertfordshire, our local 'home' university offers both undergraduate and post graduate training options. You can find information about these here.

Since 2023, Teaching School Hubs play a key role in supporting local Initial Teacher Training across their DfE designated areas, working closely with school-based and university-based training providers to understand the local market, context and challenges. 

TSHs offer information and support to applicants wishing to get started on a teaching career, as well as to schools looking to engage in ITT for the first time or increase their engagement in ITT.

Contact your local teaching school hub for more information on all local routes into teaching, across a wide range of providers and schools offering placements in your local area.

The Alban Teaching School Hub: Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers, Watford, Welwyn Hatfield.

The Chiltern Teaching School Hub: Broxbourne, East Hertfordshire, Luton, North Hertfordshire, Stevenage.

Further guidance on Teaching School Hubs across the UK can be found here.

School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)

SCITT programmes are designed and delivered by groups of neighbouring schools and colleges. They provide practical, hands-on teacher training programmes, taught by experienced, practising teachers. You’ll usually be based in one school from the consortium – the lead school – while completing teaching practice at others in the group.

Training programmes generally last for one academic year full-time, running from September to June and result in QTS. Some start earlier. You may be eligible to receive funding through student finance while you train for your SCITT.

You can find out more about these through the relevant Teaching School Hub.

TES Institute - Straight to Teaching

If you’re a graduate and are already working in a school as a TA or unqualifed teacher, the Straight to Teaching programme from TES can help you to take the next step in your career and become a qualified teacher without having to leave your current school. Discounts are available for schools and settings working with HFL Education and Teach in Herts. See additional info here and quote HFL5 to receive your 5% discount on course fees.

TES Institute Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships 

This route is designed for apprentices who will be employed in Primary or Secondary education in mainstream schools in England. The two age ranges are 5-11 or 11-16.

The employing school needs to ensure the trainee is on an Unqualified Teacher scale salary, minimum scale 1. 

The programme will run for 15 months which will combine school based and online training, followed by preparation for and undertaking.

Please see here for more information

Requirements

To gain entry onto any ITT course, you will need:

1. GCSE English and maths grade 4 or above (grade C or above under the old grading structure)
2. If you intend to train to teach pupils aged 3–11 (early years and primary), you must also have achieved GCSE grade 4 or above in a science subject (grade C under the old grading structure)
3. If you haven’t achieved the required GCSEs, there are options to study the qualifications through local colleges, or at home through organisations like the National Extension College (NEC).

If you studied outside the UK, check the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) to find out whether your qualifications are of an equivalent level to UK GCSEs, A levels and an undergraduate degree. If you have non-UK qualifications, you will need a Statement of Comparability from NARIC, the national agency for providing information and advice on worldwide qualifications. This can take some time, so we would advise you to start the process before you submit your application

Check the requirements with the training providers you're interested in – some training programmes have many more applications than places available, so their requirements might be higher.

Non-academic requirements

Declaration of criminal convictions

If you have a criminal record, it won’t necessarily prevent you from becoming a teacher. However, to working with children and young people you will be required to disclose any criminal convictions, cautions or bind-overs, and you'll need to agree to an enhanced criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We also advise you to discuss your circumstances with training providers before you apply.

Useful links

Get into teaching - https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/

Professional skills tests – sta.education.gov.uk

SKE – www.gov.uk/government/publications/subject-knowledge-enhancement-course-directory

NARIC – www.naric.org.uk/naric

NEC – www.nec.ac.uk

Disclosure and Barring Service – www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service

To find out more about financial support available visit:

https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/funding-my-teacher-training/bursaries-and-scholarships-for-teacher-training