UK Graduate
If you’ve already got a degree in a national curriculum related subject, you could get on the job training in one of Coventry’s schools and be a fully qualified teacher within a year.
To be able to teach in the UK, you need to gain a formal qualification that gives Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in this country. A number of degree qualifications have QTS linked with them e.g. the Bachelor of Education (BEd).
To enter initial teacher training (in order to gain QTS) in this country i.e. either Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP), you will need to have the equivalents of the following UK qualifications (national requirements):-
- First degree (at honours level), preferably relating to a national curriculum area for Primary school teaching and mandatory for Secondary school teaching e.g. Maths, English, Modern Foreign Languages, Geography, History, Religious Education, Science, IT, Business Studies, Design and Technology subjects.
- General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in Maths and English (and Science for Primary teaching, if you were born on or after 1st September 1979), at grade C level or above. A number of Designated Recommending Bodies, DRBs offer equivalence tests in GCSE Maths and English. These are a one-off chargeable test. If failed, you would be required to undertake a GCSE course.
(Original qualification certificates to demonstrate you have GCSE Maths and English (and Science, if applicable) and your degree certificate, will need to be produced. Where required, examination boards and universities will issue duplicate copies.)
In addition: -
- You must decide whether you wish to teach in Primary or Secondary schools.
- For Secondary teaching, you will need to be teaching in the subject of your degree.
For both Primary and Secondary teaching, you will need to demonstrate your experience in working with children (whether on a paid or voluntary basis) and knowledge of schools. Currently you must have evidence of a minimum of ten days work experience in UK schools. This is essential because as well as giving insight into Primary / Secondary teaching, it helps you decide whether or not to embark on initial teacher training.
You will need to approach schools directly yourself to arrange for this type of work. A list of Coventry schools and points of contact is available by accessing our Coventry Schools section.
For further information to help you decide on whether the PGCE or GTP is the appropriate route into teaching for you, the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) - formerly the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) prior to 1 September 2005, recruitment web site www.teach.gov.uk provides full information on becoming a teacher, training to teach, applying for training and training providers.
The Training and Development Agency’s information line is also available for you to discuss any aspect or questions about becoming a teacher. They can be contacted on 0845 6000 991 or by email to teaching@ttainfo.gov.uk
Details of additional Government web sites and help lines, which may be of interest, is available by accessing our Useful Contacts list.
Coventry’s teacher recruitment team is here to help and can be contacted by phoning our teacher recruitment help line on 024 7683 2121, or by email on jobs@coventry.gov.uk or by writing to the following address:
Teachers Recruitment
HR Recruitment Service
Room 107
1st Floor Civic Centre 2
Earl Street
Coventry
CV1 5RR
Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
Training via the PGCE involves the majority of the learning taking place at the initial teacher training university / institute with placements in schools. The duration of the course is one year with funding of up to £6,000, or £7,000 for trainee maths and science teachers.
If you are interested in embarking on initial teacher training via the PGCE, then you need to apply to an initial teacher training provider. You should contact the Graduate Teacher Training Registry on 08701 122 205, who will be able to provide details of universities and other information regarding the PGCE application process.
Details of additional Government web sites and help lines, which may be of interest, is available by accessing our Useful Contacts list.
In Coventry, the University of Warwick provides teacher training via both the PGCE and GTP routes. Use this link to access their web site www.warwick.ac.uk.
Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP)
Joanne Cullen: Newly Qualified Teacher through the Graduate Programme. Finham Park Primary School.
"Within the LA there are a wealth of opportunities. Professional development is continually encouraged. I enjoy being involved in all LEA activities".
The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is an employment-based route into teaching i.e. trainees are based in a school, usually in a supernumerary post, and are paid a salary on the unqualified teachers' pay scale.
It is aimed at graduates changing career or overseas trained teachers who need training for QTS. Trainees can take up to one year to complete the programme, or, depending on their experience, as little as three months.
The training is based on the candidate's individual assessment. The school together with a Designated Recommending Body (DRB), i.e. a higher education institute or other recognised initial teacher training body, undertake an assessment of the individual's needs and a training plan is produced in order to bid for a place on the programme.
It is important to stress that there are very few places available on the GTP each year, and coupled with its appeal, (due to being linked with a salary), trying to secure a place on the programme is very competitive with places being allocated quickly. You should be aware that Coventry's Children and Young People's Service does not allocate places on this programme and has no influence over DRBs or schools accepting or not accepting individuals on the programme. As a result, you are advised to also apply for the PGCE as a backup.
In addition to the national qualification and classroom experience requirements for teaching, each DRB has its own specific requirements. As a result, you are advised to contact DRBs directly yourself to inquire whether or not you meet the prerequisites set. Click on Designated Recommending Body's for contact details for the various DRBs.
To allow a DRB to establish a candidate's eligibility, you should provide as much detail as possible about academic qualifications and experience, including:-
- GCSE and A level results, including exam boards
- Any equivalent qualifications
- Details of your degree i.e. the subject, awarding university, classification achieved and year of award. Where it is a composite degree or there is uncertainty regarding whether the degree subject is in a national curriculum area, a breakdown of the degree content will be required i.e. a list of all modules studied and percentage duration spent on each.
If your qualifications and experience have been deemed suitable for the programme by a DRB and you wish to be placed in a Coventry school, then you can forward your details and a brief CV to us for circulation to schools. However, in support of this service, you are advised to look actively for a school yourself.
Once a school agrees to take you on, they will have to work with the DRB in order for you to be accepted on the Graduate Teacher Programme.
Funding may be provided by the Training and Development Agency, up to £13,000 towards the salary and up to £4,000 towards the training of the individual.
Further information about the Graduate Teacher Programme is available from the Governments GTP advice line, who can be contacted on 01245 454 444.
Details of additional Government web sites and help lines, which may be of interest, is available by using this link Useful Contacts.
In Coventry, the University of Warwick provides teacher training via both the PGCE and GTP routes. Use this link to access their web site www2.warwick.ac.uk.
Designated Recommending Body's
Contact details for the various DRBs within the West Midlands are:-
The Marches Consortium
Telephone 01905 425 304
Newman College, Birmingham
Telephone 0121 476 1181 / 0121 483 2274
University of Warwick
Telephone 024 7652 2918
University of Wolverhampton
Telephone 01902 323 201
West Midlands Consortium
Telephone 01952 200 000
Further information is also available on the Training and Development Agency's web site www.tda.gov.uk/recruit.
