Routes into teaching

Routes into teaching

Your route

Teaching is recognised as one of the most challenging yet rewarding professions in the world. It’s a profession that requires passion, resilience, patience and commitment.

There are different routes you can take when looking to enter teacher training. Whilst there are a number of distinctions between them, all will include:

  • At least 24 weeks of classroom-based work experience, across two placements
  • Achieving Qualified Teacher status

Depending on the course, you can also gain either a Postgraduate Certificate in Education, or Qualified Teacher Status. Both accreditations qualify you to teach in the UK.

More on potential routes into teaching:

Hammersmith, Ealing and West London College also run a post-16 training course. Each approach has its own advantages, depending on whether you feel that you would benefit from more time observing other teachers or being taught yourself.

Candidates should apply through UCAS for all teacher training courses and directly to a school for the School Direct route.

Basic requirements & funding

Before you can enter any teacher training programme, you will need:

  • An undergraduate degree or equivalent
  • GCSE grades C or above in maths and English. If you are looking to teach in primary schools, you will need the same in a science subject
  • Strong knowledge in your chosen subject
  • To have passed the Professional Skills Test

You may also require some work experience within a school setting.

Depending on the route you choose and your specialism, you will find that there are a number of opportunities to receive funding whilst you train, including a tax-free bursary, salary or scholarship. Please refer to TRA website for current funding arrangements.

More info on Get Into Teaching.

Return to teaching

Whatever the reason for your break may have been, returning to teaching has never been easier. As long as you are a qualified teacher, your skills and experience will be a valuable asset to our schools and the pupils.

A large number of schools are now participating in the Return to Teaching programme, which is an opportunity for returning teachers to undergo refresher training in their chosen subject areas, as well as receive updates on current classroom practice, behaviour management and access to classroom experience and mentoring.

In many cases, opportunities for flexible working arrangements are available to make the transition back into teaching as easy as possible.

More info on Return to teaching