The options
Higher education institutions
Universities, colleges and other higher education institutions offer you both undergraduate and postgraduate initial teacher training courses. With this option you will also undergo a teacher placement in schools. It is advisable that you fully research institutions before you apply. Click here to view a complete list of higher education institutions offering ITT.
Teach First
Teach First is an independent charity which transforms the life chances of children from all backgrounds by recruiting and supporting high-calibre, highly motivated graduates to teach and lead in schools in challenging circumstances across the UK.
Through a two-year Leadership Development programme participants are trained to be effective teachers and leaders in schools facing challenging circumstances. The programme ensures participants maximise their impact on pupil achievement, access and aspirations in the short term and develop a set of transferable skills that will ensure their broader impact on educational disadvantage in the future.
Participants undertake the Teach First Leadership Development Programme for two years and, upon successful completion, graduate to become Teach First Ambassadors.
The Leadership Development Programme is available in five regions: Yorkshire, West Midlands, East Midlands, Greater London and the North West. From 2011 Teach First will also operate in the North East.
Please click here to find out more information on the qualification needed and further information on funding and how to apply.
Schools
You can choose to complete your initial teacher training at a school, either through a set school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) course or an employment-based programme, tailored to you by a employment based initial teacher training provider (EBITT provider).
- Graduate teacher programme (GTP) – The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is an on-the-job training programme that allows graduates to qualify as a teacher while they work. On the GTP you will be employed by a school, earn a salary and towards QTS all at the same time.
- Registered teacher programme (RTP) – The RTP 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.
- Overseas trained teacher programme (OTTP) – If you are qualified as a teacher inside the EU, mobility laws apply and you can access teaching positions in the same way as home trained teachers.
If you are qualified as a teacher overseas and outside the EEA, you may be eligible to work in England as a temporary teacher without QTS for up to four years. This programme is currently available in England only.
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