The Best Ways to get into Teaching!

by | May 30, 2020 | My TeachFirst Journey, Training

Fresh out of university I needed a job. Any job! So I dipped my foot in and dabbled with the beast that is corporate London. I worked in recruitment for about 6 weeks before I was ready to quit. So I did. And I found myself applying for a Teaching Assistant position.

So in the space of two weeks I was out of recruitment and into school. In my mind teaching had always been a back up option. However, I quickly found myself thoroughly enjoying my work. It wasn’t a chore, it was a challenge. It was exciting and there was not a single boring moment which was very important to me. Therefore I started to consider my options about a career in education.

This post aims to set out the options I had available to me and help you make an informed decision on how to pursue a career in teaching.

Now, you would think that finding out all the information would be easy. But, my first hurdle was just finding an accessible way into teaching – there’s tonnes of information out there but it wasn’t clear and I didn’t know what the best options were. I wanted to get paid and get my qualifications.

After all my research I concluded that for me, there were three viable ways to get into teaching all with their various pros and cons; that is if you didn’t take a traditional Bachelors of Education. Yet, people can find themselves in different positions and I was entering one after having completed my degree in Theatre & Performance with Creative Writing. So I will explore those three options I had to choose between.

There is a basic system that every teacher must go through. There are just different avenues and structures in which you can complete that process. You will have to undergo some training whether on the job or via a formal education provider. After a year you will have completed your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) which allows you to teach and takes a year of working in school. After this year you then have another year to complete your Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) status. Once both these years are completed you will be a qualified teacher.

Teacher Training Update
From September 2021, all NQT’s will undertake a two-year induction called the Early Career Framework. This is a new and enhanced training package to ensure you’re fully supported in your first years of teaching.

  • You still get QTS at the end of year one.
  • In your third year of teaching you will continue to receive support and additional training.
  • If for any reason you leave teaching before three years is up it will be noted how much you completed and you will have to pick up where you left off.
  • You will receive training on: curriculum, behaviour management styles, pedagogy, assessment and professional development.
  • Online training adapted to fit around your timetable.
  • 10% reduced timetable during the first year and 5% in the second year.
    This was introduced by the DfE to increase the quality and duration of training to all new teachers.

Option 1 – TeachFirst
TeachFirst is a not for profit charity with a mission of building a fair education for all. They work by providing an extensive teacher training scheme with exceptional support that allows people to develop into inspirational teachers. They then put these quality teachers and leaders into lower socio-economic schools. Once part of the TeachFirst family you become a part of their network – which provides it’s own opportunities even after you’ve finished training.

They’ve placed over 10,000 teachers in low income areas and have been credited as a leading factor in transforming London schools. They pride themselves on the quality of their teachers and leaders. However, TeachFirst have come under criticism for being elitist and for the incredible workload they put you under for the duration of your 2 year training.

The Pros:

  • TeachFirst allows you to earn a salary and pays your university fees.
  • You gain a PGDE which is worth 120 university credits compared to a PGCE. This qualification is also recognised internationally.
  • You are in school from day one allowing you to make a difference from day one and learn on the job.
  • They have an extensive support network, ensuring you have the best training available.
  • You become part of a growing network of graduates and affiliates.
    **The Cons: **
  • You need to have completed a graduate degree (preferably at 2:1 or higher).
  • You have to balance a full time education on top of a full time job which can take up weekends and holidays and I’m imagining a lot of your social time.
  • You may not consider this a con but you will be working in lower socio-economic schools which can present it’s own challenges yet can have high rewards.

Entry Requirements:

  • 2:1 or above (however 2:2 will be considered).
  • A degree or A-levels that satisfy their curriculum list). You can find that list here: [https://www.teachfirst.org.uk/knowledge-base/eligibility/eligibility-requirements].
  • Grade C/4 or above in GCSE maths and English.
  • You can’t have already completed QTS or a PGCE.

How to Apply:
If you’re keen to apply here’s a link to the TeachFirst website which you can explore and see what they’re about.

Option 2 – Schools Direct (Salaried)
Schools Direct is an employment based route for graduates. You are generally required to have at least three years’ of transferable work experience before going in. This process is run by individual schools or groups of schools. They in turn have training providers such as a university or school-centered initial teacher training (SCITT). There is a ‘salaried’ and ‘non salaried’ version of Schools Direct but of course we are always going to aim for the salaried version. A lot of the Schools Direct programs include a PGCE, however, some do not so you need to make sure you check if this is included in the training. Schools Direct is good for getting the practical, hands on experience and immediately immersing yourself in school life, while being mentored and observed by experienced teachers.

You are employed as an unqualified teacher while you learn on the job which pays around £15,000 – £19,000 in your first year. You generally start on a reduced timetable perhaps starting on six hours of teaching and gradually upping it to around 18 hours a week. If you are already working in a school and have connections it can be a great avenue to stay where you are and often you can speak to people to get involved.

The Pros:

  • Employed as an unqualified teacher and can therefore be salaried.
  • More hands on time in school which can give you confidence and experience.
  • Opportunity to gain a PGCE while training.
  • Can allow you to continue working in a school you’re already at.

The Cons:

  • Fast introduction can be a lot of initial stress to handle.
  • Likely to get a placement further away from home.
  • If you need to complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course via distance learning you might not feel as confident.
  • Depending on the course you may have to pay tuition fees or be unsalaried.

Entry Requirements:

  • You’ll need to hold an undergraduate degree provided by a UK higher education provider.
  • You’ll need to have achieved grade C/4 or above in English and Maths.
  • To teach Primary (Aged 3-11) you must also have achieved a C/4 in Science.

How to apply:
UCAS Teacher Training supports postgraduate teacher training programs.
To get going use this link here for England & Wales.
And here for Scotland.
Search for ‘UCAS Teacher Training’ and apply for Schools Direct (salaried).

You can search for programmes on the link above. You can search via different filters for example: subject, training provider and location to make sure you find the right course for you.

You’ll then need to register with UCAS Teach Training to submit and track the progress of your application.

Option 3 – Traditional PGCE
The PGCE or Post Graduate Certificate of Education is a one/ two years higher education course in the UK which provides academic training alongside your QTS which allows you to become a teacher. You complete a PGCE after your initial degree as an access route into teaching. As mentioned you have the possibility of gaining a PGCE via school-led training (Schools Direct). The PGCE course works towards gaining your QTS which is what is required to teach in school. You will generally spend time being taught at university as well as having placement schools in which you will gain experience.

For PGCE you generally have two placements throughout the year. This is to give you a diverse range of experience of different systems. It is also the most traditional and standardly accepted method of post graduate routes into teaching.

The Pros:

  • You’re eased into teaching and given a gentler introduction into teaching.
  • You have the support of your lecturers if there any issues at school.
  • Easier to make friends and have a network of social support.
  • Internationally recognised qualification allowing you to teach abroad.

The Cons:

  • Less time spent in school means you may not feel as prepared or experienced.
  • Possibly a higher focus on educational theory and written work.
  • You will have to pay for your tuition.

Entry Requirements:

  • Bachelors degree (minimum 2:1 equivalent)
  • Two A-levels in non-vocational subjects (minimum grade C/4)
  • GCSEs in English Language, Maths and Science plus at least three non-vocational subjects (minimum grade C/4)

**How to apply: **
If you’re looking for just a PGCE you can search for it via the UCAS website.
Or you can look at the Department for Education’s search service.
You can filter your results for a ‘Postgraduate Certificate of Education with Qualified Teacher Status’ only.
You can search various universities for their PGCE courses and then apply for them via UCAS.

Now what happens if you haven’t got a degree?
Good question. Some schools, such as private schools or academies are able to recruit teachers without a degree. However, it can then become more difficult to progress or move school in the future.

I hope this helped give you some information and weigh up some of your options. Teaching is not a backup option and it is not where people go who can’t do. It is a demanding and challenging profession that requires a inspirational and motivated person that wants to affect change in a generation of young people.

I hope you follow along for the journey. This was my starting point and there’s so much more to come.