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With a shortage of teachers in the UK, especially in maths and sciences, now is as good a time as ever to earn Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and become an education professional. A person with QTS is eligible to take a teaching position in any of the UK’s maintained schools. While there are routes to teaching in the classroom that do not necessarily require QTS, the straightforward steps to earning this qualification make the added benefits and skills well worth it. The following outlines the basic steps a person must take in order to get ready to undergo teacher training and take a professional teaching job as a nationally qualified educator with QTS standing. GCSE requirements All candidates for teacher training must first fulfill one basic GCSE requirement: They must have a C grade or better in GCSE English and Maths. (Candidates looking to train for primary education also need a grade of C or better in GCSE science.) If teacher hopefuls fail to meet this initial requirement, there are options available. If they are still at school, they can do what it takes to earn the overall English and Maths C grade. However, if they have already left school without meeting this requirement, they can look to take additional courses in their area of interest to prove that they understand the material. Also, some Initial Teacher Training programs offer GCSE equivalency tests, so candidates not meeting the GCSE requirement can study, pass the needed equivalency tests and continue on their path to teaching. Degree requirements The next step after the GCSE requirements are met is for ITT candidates to choose a degree that is relevant to the subject which they are interested in teaching. The Department of Education website states that all ITT candidates must have a degree. For a person who would like to teach mathematics, for example, first degrees (undergraduate degree) in either maths or physics are two great options. If a postgraduate teacher training program feels that a candidate’s degree does not necessitate the skills needed for teaching the subject in which they are interested, subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses are available. If a person successfully completes a Bachelor of Education or Bachelor of Arts or Science with QTS, they do not need to participate in a postgraduate teacher training course. Starting initial teacher training (ITT) All ITT candidates who have fulfilled the degree requirement and who do not have undergraduate degrees in education enroll in an initial teacher training program. There are three ways in which ITT can be completed: 1. Through employment at a school In employment-based initial teacher training, candidates learn while working a salaried job at a UK school. The pay rate is calibrated using the unqualified teacher pay ranges. One of the requirements for this type of training is to have at least three years of experience in working life, so this is a great option for people who want to become teachers after a first career. When it comes to completing ITT through employment for QTS in Maths, professionals with degrees in accountancy, finance or other maths-related fields make great candidates. 2. Through higher education Initial teacher training can be completed through an institution of higher education. For those wishing to teach primary school, this consists of 18 weeks of classes, and for those wishing to teach secondary school, this phase consists of 24 weeks of classes. These can be completed full-time or part-time, so people who are currently employed have the option of enrolling part-time so they can continue to work. Upon successful completion, students gain QTS and are ready to start their first year as qualified teachers. 3. Through a school School-centered initial teacher training (SCITT) caters to graduates. SCITT programs are in and run by schools. Most of these award QTS and PGCE, but some do not. Much more information about the different types of SCITT programmes can be found on the Department of Education and Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Teacher Training websites. Other information People interested in becoming qualified teachers are encouraged to visit the Department of Education website for information about gaining Qualified Teacher Status. Important aspects of this process can be found here, including info about the various bursaries and scholarships available, stories about teacher life, events, different subject areas and salaries.
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