Routes into teaching

Learning outcomes

• Describe the routes into early years, primary, secondary & FE teaching
• Define the basic entry requirements into the above
• Understand how to apply for teacher training via UCAS 
• Identify 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

• EYTS seen as equivalent but not the same as QTS
• So in effect teachers in the 3-5 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 the age range you can teach

Early Years 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 (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

EYTS Four Training Routes Available

EYTS Funding

EYTS Important points

• Apply direct to accredited provider (not UCAS)
• 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

You must have qualified teacher status (QTS) to take up a teaching post in England in a:

Maintained primary school
Maintained secondary school
Maintained special school
Non-maintained special school

(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 in the national curriculum (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 (Primary & Secondary)



1. School Direct
2. SCITT
3. Teach First


Understand the differences
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 late Oct 3 choices, can be a mix)
• Tuition fees apply.  Scholarships and bursaries available (criteria apply)

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 

School Direct v SCITT (Subtle differences)



1. Main difference is how the training is accredited. Although you end up with the same quals.

2. School Direct comes in two flavours. SCITT just one.

3. School Direct has the expectation of employment afterwards

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 2016 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

Routes in more detail

What the government 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 5
• Covers A levels, BTECs, NVQs, Diplomas, FdA, HNC, HND

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

Many PGCE FE courses offer eligibility for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status

"Since April 2012, QLTS has been approved by the Department for Education as being equivalent to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for schools and therefore there is the possibility of teaching in a school if your specialist subject is part of the curriculum for the given age range".

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

1. Complexity in entry requirements & routes

2. Take ownership of your own research
(things change quickly)

3. Double check routes and entry requirements before committing

4. Understand and work within the preferred timescales

5. There is always 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 working day response period for Apply 1 & 2

UCAS Teacher Training deadlines (subject to change)

• (Apply 1 opens)
• (Apply 2 opens if no offer from Apply 1)
• (Apply 1 cycle ends)
• (Apply 2 cycle ends)
• Get applications in as early as possible. 

Untitled Slide

Student Support

Funding