Why go into teaching?
- Teaching has changed. More people with a 2:1 or first degree than ever before are training to be teachers.
- You could receive a substantial tax-free bursary while you train
- Teacher training is better than ever before
- Apply to train through School Direct, which is already attracting some of the top graduates in the country.
- Starting salaries in teaching are higher than you think
- Good teachers are in demand and there are excellent employment prospects
- Teachers love teaching and stay in the career longer than other graduates
- There are excellent opportunities for career progression
- Primary teaching is as important as secondary teaching because children who fail to learn at primary level tend to fail at secondary too.
- You will receive support from us throughout the application process
The rewards of teaching
- Teachers begin on an average starting salary of £22,900.
- Headteachers earn between £42,803 - £113,303.
- Prospects of employment in teaching are better than most other professions - 9 out of 10 new teachers, who want to teach, found teaching jobs in the first 12 months.
- Teachers are twice as likely to be in management positions 3.5 years into their career, compared to fellow graduates (19 per cent teachers, 10 per cent science, 9 per cent accountants, 6 per cent legal).
|
England and Wales
(excluding London and fringes) |
Inner London |
Outer London |
London fringe |
| Head teachers |
| Max |
£106,148 |
£113,303 |
£109,151 |
£107,199 |
| Min |
£42,803 |
£49,961 |
£45,805 |
£43,851 |
| Leading practitioners |
| Max |
£57,520 |
£64,677 |
£60,525 |
£58,565 |
| Min |
£37,836 |
£44,986 |
£40,838 |
£38,878 |
| Upper pay ranges |
| Max |
£37,124 |
£45,450 |
£40,838 |
£38,173 |
| Min |
£34,523 |
£41,912 |
£37,975 |
£35,571 |
| Main pay ranges |
| Max |
£31,868 |
£36,751 |
£35,468 |
£32,914 |
| Min |
£21,804 |
£27,270 |
£25,369 |
£22,853 |
| Unqualified teachers |
| Max |
£25,267 |
£29,379 |
£28,272 |
£26,313 |
| Min |
£15,976 |
£20,092 |
£18,977 |
£17,025 |
Qualifications and demand
Teaching is increasingly a career for the most able graduates. Last year’s ITT entrants were the highest proportion of 2:1s and above on record: 71 per cent of
entrants to university-based training had a 2:1 or better.
Minimum entry requirements
- UK undergraduate degree or a recognised equivalent qualification.
- Standard equivalent to a grade C in GCSE English and mathematics.
- Standard equivalent to a grade C in a science GCSE (primary only).
- Most providers will expect applicants to have experience of working with children
In demand subjects
Some subjects such as History, English, Geography, Biology and Music are extremely popular so applying early can make all the difference in securing a training place.
With more than twice as many applicants as places, History and English are two of the most popular subjects for teacher training and 80% of our successful applicants
have usually applied by the end of November. Geography and Biology are popular subjects for teacher training and two thirds of our successful applicants have usually
applied by the end of December.
Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Modern Languages and Computing teachers are particularly in demand in schools at the moment. So employment prospects
are high in these subjects.
Primary is one of the most popular courses for teacher training. If you are interested in teaching primary, you need to apply early to ensure your application
is seen by your first choice.
School experience
Gaining classroom experience before starting your initial teacher training (ITT) can help you be sure that a career in teaching is right for you. It is also essential to
support your application for ITT. You could write to, or telephone your local school to ask if you can observe any lessons, preferably in the area or subject you wish to
teach. If you have to support your application for ITT. You could write to, or telephone your local school to ask if you can observe any lessons, preferably in the area
or subject you wish to teach. If you have any friends or family who are currently teaching, maybe approach them and ask whether you could observe a lesson at their
school.
Your teaching training
Whichever course you choose you will receive rigorous training and comprehensive guided preparation for your new career. New teachers rate their training as a very good
preparation for the classroom.
- All courses deliver over 1000 hours of training.
- Behaviour management is compulsory.
90% of all newly qualified secondary teachers, and 89% of newly qualified primary teachers highly rated the overall quality of their training.
School Direct
- school-based training
- full-time
- salaried and non-salaried route
School Direct is a great way to gain the skills you need to become a teacher. This school-led path includes some of the country’s best schools, and you could be specially
selected by one of them with a job in mind just for you.
Other paths
SCITT
If you are a graduate and want to complete your training in a school environment, consider school-centred initial teacher training. It is designed and delivered by groups
of neighbouring schools and colleges. In our case, Bromley Schools Collegiate. You will be taught by experienced, practising teachers, and often tailored towards local
teaching needs, all SCITT courses lead to qualified teacher status (QTS). Many, though not all, will also award you a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)
validated by a higher education institution.
Teach First
independent charity with a vision that no child’s educational success should be limited by their socio-economic background.
Subject knowledge enhancement
Do not hold back from applying because of your subject knowledge confidence. If you are intending to teach Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Modern Languages or Computing,
you could benefit from a subject knowledge enhancement course.
Each provider has a different entry requirement so talk to your chosen provider about your own subject levels. If your provider feels that you would make a good
teacher but you need to undertake some additional study in the subject you want to teach before you start training then your chosen provider can discuss a range of
subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses available to you.
When should I apply?
Applications for PGCE courses and School Direct Programmes starting from September 2015 opened on 28th October 2014. If you are interested in teaching Primary,
you need to apply early to ensure your application is seen by your first choice.
Please see the UCAS website for further details on how to apply: www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/teacher-training
Skills tests
All candidates wanting to start a teacher training course must have passed the professional skills tests in numeracy and literacy before beginning training. Training
providers will use skills tests results to inform decisions during the application process; it is in your interest to pass the tests as soon as possible to increase your
chances of success.
The skills tests registration system for applicants for courses starting in AY2014/15 will open soon and can be accessed via the skills tests pages of the DfE
website at www.education.gov.uk/teachskillstests.
What providers are looking for
This is your moment to stand out from the rest.
- It is important to convey why you want to teach.
- Show what you can offer and why you will make a good teacher.
- Tell them how you know that teaching is right for you.
- Include what experience you have had in schools that has confirmed this.
- Convey your communication skills.
The personal statement is the most crucial part of your application form. It is used by training providers to assess your commitment to teaching, desire for
self-development, and enthusiasm about education.
Your interview Practical tips: