Ultimate Guide on Becoming a Teacher in England
Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions known to man. However, there are many barriers to entry, especially in England. Luckily, here is a guide to help you on your journey to becoming a certified teacher at any level:
Qualifications Required for Teaching
Do you have the desire to become a teacher but don’t know where to start? To begin with, most schools will require you to show a Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) certificate. In case you don’t have one, enrolling in undergraduate teacher training courses in universities and colleges will help you immensely.
For individuals that already have a bachelor’s degree, programs such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and the Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Leadership (PGDE) are worthy postgraduate teacher training programs worth enrolling in.
In addition, a grade four (C) GCSE in Maths and English or equivalent qualification is required for enrollment.
However, individuals who wish to become teachers in Scotland are subject to different qualifications and requirements. Therefore, it is worth doing some more research on the same if you wish to go up north.
Primary or Secondary? Where Should You Teach?
Primary School Requirements
Besides having a GCSE and QTS certificate, teachers in primary school are required to have a grade four (C) in GCSE Science. In addition, you should have an understanding of the age group you desire to teach as qualifications and requirements are tied to these levels. Here are some of the age groups in primary school:
- 3 to 7 years
- 5 to 11 years
- 7 to 11 years
- 7 to 14 years
In addition, specializing in certain subjects is welcome. Primary school teachers can focus on teaching subjects such as languages, mathematics, or even PE. For the lucky ones who decide to teach the 7 to 14 years age group, you are required to be conversant with the primary national curriculum and proficient in a secondary subject.
Secondary School Requirements
Teachers at this stage usually focus on teaching subjects that they studied at university or A levels. As a secondary school teacher, be sure to confirm the range of subjects your qualifications allow you to teach as you may be startled at the number of options available to you.
What if your qualifications don’t meet those of a secondary school teacher? By signing up for a Subject Knowledge Enhancement course (SKE), you are in a position to grow your expertise in the fields you are lacking in. It is worth noting that SKE courses are fully-funded, therefore, easing your path to becoming a secondary school teacher.
What Funding Options are Available for Teachers?
There are three types of funding options available for trainee teachers. It is possible to be eligible for one or all of these options depending on your situation.
Scholarship or Tax-Free Bursary
Trainees can access up to £26,000 in funding that is dependent on the subject they chose to teach.
Non-Graduate Bursary
This funding is to the tune of £9,000 and is available for specific subjects including physics, computing, and maths.
Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan
This option is available to teachers and does not consider subjects or qualifications. Further, additional financial aid is provided to teachers with disabilities or family dependants. If you are passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young disabled people, you can look for Treloars disability school jobs.
Earn While You Learn
Who said you can’t be a teacher in training and still earn a few coins? Here are two ways to accomplish this:
Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship
This program allows you to teach while setting aside 20% of your time to earn a QTS through practical learning. After completing the apprenticeship, you will take an End-Point Assessment (EPA) to check your readiness for a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) status.
School Direct (Salaried)
With this program, schools have the option of recruiting you once your training is over. In addition, completing the program awards you a QTS with some schools granting PGCE or Master’s level credits. However, before applying to this program, be sure to check whether you can survive on the salary offered.
Final Thoughts
Teaching as a profession is a respectable and worthy position. There is no reason why those who are interested should find obstacles in their way. With these helpful guides, you’ll be on your way to becoming a professional teacher in no time.
