Last updated 11:57, Monday, 08 December 2008

WHETHER you’re still at school, about to graduate, or looking for a change of direction, there are more ways to enter the profession – and more support available to help you get there.

To become a fully qualified teacher in state-maintained schools, you’re going to have to gain qualified teacher status (QTS) first. Almost always, that means completing a programme of initial teacher training (ITT).

Combining theoretical learning with at least 18 weeks spent practising teaching on placements in schools, ITT helps you to develop the skills you need to become an effective teacher.

Simply put, you can choose from the following different ways into teaching:

OPTING for a bachelor of education (BEd) course is one of the ways open to you of studying for a degree and completing your initial teacher training at the same time.

Course content varies according to the university providing it, but all graduates receive QTS in addition to their degree.

It is a popular choice for those interested in teaching primary school children, but it is also an option for anyone wanting to teach secondary.

BEd courses generally take three or four years full-time or four to six years part-time.

What qualifications do you need? Entry requirements vary according to the course, but a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent is generally required. To train as a teacher – via any course – you must have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in GCSE English language and mathematics. If you were born on or after September 1 1979, and want to teach primary or Key Stage 2/3 (ages 7-14), you must also have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in a GCSE science subject.

Is there any additional funding available? The financial arrangements for these courses are the same as for all other undergraduate courses.

How do you apply? Since a BEd is an undergraduate qualification, you need to apply as you would for any other degree: through UCAS.

By completing a BA or BSc degree with QTS, you’ll be able to study for a degree and do your initial teacher training at the same time.

Courses generally take three or four years full-time or four to six years part-time. It all depends on the precise course and what you want to do. If you have undergraduate credits from previous study you may be able to complete a course in just two years.

You can complete BA/BSc with QTS degree courses at universities and colleges throughout the UK.

What qualifications do you need? See above

How do you apply? Through UCAS

THE most popular way for graduates to become a teacher is to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Courses focus primarily on developing teaching skills, and not knowledge of the subject you intend to teach, so you are expected to have a good understanding of your chosen subject, usually to degree level, before you start training.

Courses generally last for one or two years full-time. Some PGCE courses which take two years part-time.

PGCE courses are available at universities and colleges throughout the UK but it may be possible for you to earn a PGCE via flexible distance learning, or in a school by completing a programme of school centred initial teacher training (SCITT).

What qualifications do you need? You must have a UK undergraduate degree or a recognised equivalent qualification. Your degree should relate to the subject you want to teach if primary.

You must also have achieved a standard equivalent to at least a grade C in GCSE English language and mathematics. Again, if you were born on or after September 1 1979 and want to teach primary or Key Stage 2/3 (ages 7-14), you need to have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in a GCSE science subject.

Is there any additional funding available? Eligible trainees completing PGCE courses in England are entitled to receive a tax-free training bursary of £6,000-9,000. The amount depends on the subject and course start date.

How do you apply? Most PGCE applications are made through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) but some ITT providers require that you approach them directly.

For secondary courses, you are able to apply to up to four different providers and for primary courses two providers, in order of preference.

If you are unsuccessful with your first choice, your application will be passed on to your second, and so on.

Visit the GTTR website for full details of available courses and how to apply.

SCITT courses are postgraduate ITT programmes designed and delivered by groups of neighbouring schools and colleges. They allow graduates to complete almost all of their training in a school environment.

All SCITT courses lead QTS. Many, though not all, will also award you the PGCE validated by a higher education institution. SCITT is a good option for individuals who would prefer to spend more of their training time in the classroom, putting theory into practice.

Courses generally last one year full-time. These courses are one academic year running from September to June. Some start earlier; The National SCITT in Outstanding Primary Schools, starts in August.

Where can you do SCITT? There are consortia of schools and colleges running SCITT courses all over England.

What qualifications do you need? You must have a UK undergraduate degree or a recognised equivalent qualification. Your degree should relate to the subject you want to teach. You must also have achieved a standard equivalent to at least a grade C GCSE English language and mathematics.

Is there any additional funding available? Eligible trainees completing SCITT courses in England are entitled to a tax-free training bursary of £6,000 -£9,000. The amount depends on the subject and course start date.

How do you apply? In most cases, you need to apply for SCITT courses through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR), although some SCITT providers require direct applications. You are able to apply to up to four different providers, in order of preference. If you are unsuccessful with your first choice, your application will be passed on to your second, and so on. Visit the GTTR website for details.

When should you apply? SCITT courses follow the academic year, so to start your training in September or October you generally need to apply through the GTTR or directly to the provider during the preceding academic year before – but be aware that courses in primary teaching, PE and history are very popular and there is considerable competition for places.

In these cases, to guarantee that your first choice of SCITT provider will consider you, you need to apply by the end of November in the year before you wish to train.

The Graduate Teacher Programme is a programme of on-the-job training allowing graduates to qualify as a teacher while they work.

To take part you can either respond to an advertisement for the GTP programme, apply direct to a GTP provider, or find a job in a school as an unqualified teacher, provided they will support you through the programme.

Training takes from three months to one school year or longer, depending on your previous teaching experience and the individual school.

You can complete the GTP in any English or Welsh maintained school, as long as they are prepared to employ you as an unqualified teacher for the duration of the programme.

What qualifications do you need? You need qualifications at least equivalent to a UK bachelors degree and GCSE grade C or above in mathematics and English.

Is there any financial support available? Your school will pay you an unqualified or qualified teacher’s salary (anywhere from £14,040 depending on your responsibilities, experience and location).

The TDA may pay the school up to £13,000 to help meet your employment costs as well as a training grant of up to £4,000. If the school doesn’t receive this funding, there is also a self-funded option available, by which the school will meet the costs of the GTP.

To find out whether this option is available to you, you will need to enquire at your local GTP provider known as a designated recommending body (DRB) or employment-based teacher training (EBTT) provider.

How do you apply? If you cannot find an advertisement for the GTP to respond to, you should apply for a place through your local GTP provider.

Competition for funded places on the GTP is strong. The quality of the school, the candidate and the training plan are important factors in assessing applications, with places being offered to the strongest.

When should you apply? GTP providers usually recruit well in advance of programme start dates. Speak to your local provider about application deadlines.

This provides a blend of work-based teacher training and academic study, allowing non-graduates with some experience of higher education to complete their degree and qualify as a teacher at the same time.

You first need to be working in a school as an unqualified teacher. This makes the RTP a good option for mature people who want to change to a teaching career but need to continue earning while they train.

Once on the programme your training will be tailored to your own individual needs and lead to QTS.

Your school will also work with a local higher education institution to ensure that you receive suitable training to extend your subject knowledge to degree level.

How long does the RTP take? The programme normally takes two years. However, if you already have some teaching experience, it may take less. The minimum length of time you’ll spend on the programme is one year.

You can complete the RTP in any school, as long as they are able to work with a higher education institution and are prepared to employ you as an unqualified teacher for the duration of the programme.

What qualifications do you need? You must have completed the equivalent of two years (240 CATS) of higher education.

In addition, you need qualifications equivalent to GCSE grade C or above in mathematics and English.

Is there any financial support available? Your school will pay you an unqualified or qualified teacher’s salary (anywhere from £13,599).

The TDA may also provide the school with a grant of up to £4,000 to cover the cost of your training. If the school doesn’t receive this funding, there is also a self-funded option available, by which the school will meet the costs of the RTP.

To find out whether this option is available to you, you will need to enquire at your local RTP provider.

How do you apply? Your first step is to find a school willing to employ you through the programme. You then need to apply directly to your local DRB.

Some DRBs are able to help you find a post in a school otherwise you can look for vacancies in the press.

When should you apply? You can apply to join the RTP at any time. Bear in mind, however, that it is a challenging programme, requiring substantial effort and commitment.

If you already have a degree and substantial experience of working in a school as an instructor or unqualified teacher, you may be able to qualify without any further teacher training.

The QTS only option, or ‘assessment only’ as it’s known, offers you the chance to demonstrate that you meet the standards required to achieve QTS by compiling and submitting a portfolio of evidence of your abilities as a classroom teacher.

Also featuring a day-long assessment visit to your school, the assessment- only process can take up to a year to complete.

The University of Gloucestershire administers this process for England. It is available to teachers of a range of subjects and age groups: Primary; Mathematics; Modern languages; Religious education; Science; Art and design; Geography; History; Physical education.

If you are interested in submitting yourself for QTS assessment only, contact the University of Gloucestershire School of Education.