| jcas - I have a degree in marketing and advertising abroad, I would like to get into teaching can you tell me the routes that I can take? |
| Teaching consultant - With your marketing degree if you wanted to teach secondary business studies for example you could apply for a PGCE see www.gttr.ac.uk for providers and the application form. |
| gloriatc - what do you think of the online I-teach course? I want to teach science but have a degree in accounting and a BTEC in pharmaceutical science. Would this be enough to get me on the course if I also did a two week booster course? |
| Teaching consultant - You may be very acceptable for this course you must talk to Canterbury and discuss the timing and style of delivery to ensure that it suits you and your qualifications. |
| john - hi there I'm seriously thinking about moving into training but I’m not really sure of the route I have to go down. I don’t have a degree but I do have all my GCSEs. |
| Teaching consultant - If you want to train for primary you need to look at an undergraduate 3/4 year teaching degree all the details are on the www.teach.gov.uk or www.ucas.com |
| linzibabes - I have a friend that teaches primary school children and would really like to know more about what qualifications would be needed for something like primary school teaching. |
| Teaching consultant - You need to have GCSE English and Maths and Science at Grade C and above and become a graduate either through a teaching degree or through a subject based degree followed by a PGCE. |
| Christine - hi there, I have applied for SCITT and GTP, just worried that they will look upon me unfavourably because I have a young family, my youngest is just six months. Will this affect my chances? I know it sounds silly, but I just need to know, many thanks. |
| Teaching consultant - No it will not affect your chances - they will try to find a school for your experience which is as convenient as possible. |
| Adriano - I am a Portuguese citizen, with my degrees obtained in Brazil. I have a PhD in Chemistry (Sciences) and after my Postdoctoral position (for 5 years) I have been hired as a postdoctoral research Assistant. I would like to teach SCIENCES, for 11-16 year old students. As I have no experience on the UK educational system, I think I need to do some training, which may be an ITT or PGCE. Is that correct? |
| Teaching consultant - you need to apply for a PGCE through www.gttr.ac.uk. It is a one year programme. |
| eguskine - hi, I'd like to teach maths and Spanish in a secondary school, without having to do the PGCE. I understand that you could also start by finding a placement in a school to get your teaching qualifications...is this true? if so how could I get a list of school that provide this training? |
| Teaching consultant - You need to look at the GTP programme please see http://www.tda.gov.uk/ebrcontacts for details of your local contact. |
| Mark - Hello, I am thinking of taking up teaching after several years as a research scientist. I have a degree in chemistry and a Ph.D. in biophysics so I am also unclear which science I should look into teaching. |
| Teaching consultant - You will teach all three science but specialise in a main subject. Chemists are very sought after so that may be the best one to choose. |
| linzibabes - I have a degree in social science. Will I be able to use this to get into teaching?! If so how and will there be any funding available? |
| Teaching consultant - You can get into teaching through a PGCE for Soc Sc look at WWW.GTTR.AC.UK for courses but you will have to apply very soon as these course are very popular. |
| jcas - I am a lone parent and I would like to know if there is a fast track for me to get a PGCE? |
| Teaching consultant - The PGCE is generally one year or 36 weeks from September until June. If you have substantial classroom experience you may be able to shorten the course but most people take one year. Also look at the GTP programme at http://www.tda.gov.uk/ebrcontacts which also takes one year but you are working in school while training. |
| Jane - Hi I have completed my sport degree and started my PGCE secondary PE in September 2007 but in December 2007 I deferred the course until September 2008 due to personal reasons. I have a place to do the course in September 2008, however if I do not return in September 2008 will I be able to gain a route into teaching (PGCE or GTP) at a later date? I am also wondering about doing primary school teaching is it possible to change from secondary to primary? |
| Teaching consultant - Teaching consultant - Yes you will be able to continue at a later date but check with your provider. |
| Ayoonatola - I have previously taught in post-primary institutions of learning in Nigeria. I hold BSc (Hons), PGDE and masters in library studies. |
| Teaching consultant - Teaching consultant - Please look at these sites for the OTT programme http://www.tda.gov.uk/ott OTT Helpline 01245 454 321 OTT Helpline 01245 454 321 or http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachinginengland |
| Adriano - I would like to start the training as soon as possible (eventually in September), do you think that is possible? How do I proceed to ask for funding/bursary (I will attend to full time course)? Where should I ask for this funding? Is it necessary to apply for the course prior to ask for the funding? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes this may be possible you need to apply through www.gttr.ac.uk and the funding is all explained at the following place http://www.teach.gov.uk/pgfunding or http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport |
| ian - I would like to train via the GTP route. however, to apply for Sept 2008, I need to have voluntarily been in a school for eight weeks (as per the application requirements). What do I do for money for this eight week period? |
| Teaching consultant - Have you checked the eight weeks as a volunteer because that is not the same for all EBRs? |
| eguskine - I understand you can do teacher training based in a school, rather than having to do the PGCE... is it true? |
| Teaching consultant - Teaching consultant - http://www.tda.gov.uk/ebrcontacts or http://www.tda.gov.uk/ebr Please check out these providers who offer the GTP. |
| Anne - I'm an Int'l Maths teacher in UK, I got admission to do PGCE Maths at the University of Durham, but surprised that I'm not entitled to the bursary, but was told to pay £9,000, which I don’t have. Are there other routes I can take to realise my dream of teaching maths in UK? |
| Teaching consultant - You need to pay overseas fees as you are not a home student. |
| Robert - How do I go about applying for a teaching bursary from TDA? |
| Teaching consultant - http://www.teach.gov.uk/pgfunding or http://www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport you don’t need to apply it is automatic when you register on the course. |
| Tara - Hi, I’ve been trying to get into teaching for about seven years; I now have a window of around a year to qualify however all of the courses start in September so this wouldn't leave me enough time. Do you have any suggestions of routes I could take? |
| Teaching consultant - If you have links with schools then GTP may work for you otherwise you may want to look at a flexible programme or ITEAC see www.gttr.ac.uk |
| jibs - What are the prospects of starting teacher training at this time of the year - do we have to wait for September? |
| Teaching consultant - here are course in secondary shortage subjects at Brunel, ITEACH and St Mary’s starting Feb and April. |
| rekha - I have done my Masters (MSc) in Zoology and I have five years of teaching experience in India. What options do I have? |
| Teaching consultant - You are an OTT and should look at this programme see http://www.tda.gov.uk/ott or http://www.naric.org.uk or http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachinginengland |
| salam - Hi, I would like to go for a PGCE but my husband has just been posted abroad for a couple of years. Would it be possible for me to do a flexible course from abroad and maybe come back to do the blocks of experience in school? |
| Teaching consultant - Ask Canterbury re iTeach but otherwise no you need to have school experience in England and Wales. |
| Clair - Hi, I would like to become a music teacher for secondary school; do you know what qualifications would be needed to enter at secondary level as compared to primary? I have all my GCSE's, A Level in English and a degree. |
| Teaching consultant - You have everything in place now you need to apply for a Music PGCE and you would be very welcomed as we are short of music specialists. |
| irene - I am interested in science teaching and I have a degree in biology. would I need any extra training in chemistry and if so would this be available as part of my PGCE? |
| Teaching consultant - You will apply for a PGCE in biology and then you will be given support both before and during your PGCE year to up skill the other sciences. |
| Angela - I am graduating this year in textiles and I would like to teach design & technology or art what I need to do? |
| Teaching consultant - You are well placed and would be sought after apply for a D&T PGCE see the courses on www.gttr.ac.uk |
| Natalie - hi there I have a BA in education but no QTS I am looking to get into primary teaching what is the best course a PGCE or on site training? do I need any further qualifications to enrol on the PGCE? |
| Teaching consultant - Your BA is enough to access a PGCE look at www.gttr.ac.uk for application forms and courses. |
| lucy - I made an application for a PGCE primary course at the start of January and am tracking my application online - when can I expect to hear whether I have been successful. |
| Teaching consultant - You should hear within 20 working days. |
| linzibabes - can you obtain funding for a PGCE for soc sc? What sort of age range would I be able to teach after gaining this qualification? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes, you can be funded if you are a home student £6,000 and you would teach secondary 14-18. |
| Robert - I am applying to local schools for a GTP placement. What things should I highlight in my letter to them? |
| Teaching consultant - Your experience in the world of work, your ability to work in a team your communication skills and empathy with children and your passion for your subject or the curriculum. |
| Elisabed - I am a British citizen, graduated from the Georgian Technical University in Tbilisi, with a Master’s Degree (NARIC equivalent-Batchelor’s Degree with Honours) in organic chemistry. We are living in Doha, Qatar now because of my husband’s job and planning to go back to England in couple of years. I am interested in developing a career as a chemistry teacher, and wish to know if I can do a PGCE course on-line to qualify as a teacher, while I am out of the UK. I have recently been volunteering my services as a lab technician at Park House Secondary British School here in Doha and have been offered their support to help me attain my goal. |
| Teaching consultant - You could look at iTeach at Canterbury www.gttr.ac.uk |
| jibs - In yesterday's paper (letter to the times) it was suggested that teacher training 'on the job' was an unfair alternative to using trained supply teachers! Do the school authorities agree with this or do they like training teachers within their schools? |
| Teaching consultant - Most trainees training "on the job" are supernumerary i.e. they are extra to the school staffing and in the same way as PGCE trainees are weaned into the role there are thousands of people who have successfully trained this way and feel that it has been an effective route for them after all they are being paid £14,000 out of London plus London allowance in London and their tax and NI is also paid for them. |
| christine - hello again, another question I have is: if I do not get accepted for a place this year, would I be able to get feedback as to why not? so that I could improve my chances and apply again next time? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes you can ask for feedback from the provider. |
| Jane - Once on PGCE you can not apply GTP? |
| Teaching consultant - You are already on a course and being paid a bursary so unless your circumstances have changed a lot and you cant continue on a PGCE then you should remain and complete the programme. |
| Joanna - Hi, Do you know what is the best way to start out as a teaching assistant? I'd like to do this job, but can't see the best way to do it - is it by doing an NVQ or by getting experience in a school? |
| Teaching consultant - Experience in a school is the most important and looking for vacancies in the local authority vacancy bulletin online. |
| norra - hi I would like to teach French in primary school I have a BA in education sciences what is the right route for me? |
| Teaching consultant - If your French is good enough there are PGCE programmes that specialise in French see www.gttr.ac.uk for details. |
| lucyj - where can I find adverts of GTP course adverts? |
| Teaching consultant - You need to look at http://www.tda.gov.uk/ebrcontacts or http://www.tda.gov.uk/ebr |
| Jane - Hi if I am already on PGCE secondary PE can I change to primary? |
| Teaching consultant - Not unless your training provider has vacancies and has agreed that the skills are transferable You may have to re apply for 2008. |
| Clair B - Regarding the Music PGCE, my degree is in media production in which I used my music qualifications in conjunction with the media side of the degree... would I need to complete a booster course or a music degree to then apply for the Music PGCE? I am aware that I may need a degree specifically related to the area I want to teach in so I want to get started with any training / extra education I need to apply for the PGCE. |
| Teaching consultant - You need to talk to the music providers in your area and find out how they view your qualifications -they will make suggestions about topping up subject knowledge. |
| Robert - I've been to the website to find out about applying for teaching bursaries but cannot find out the information. Please would you let me know. |
| Teaching consultant - Teaching consultant - Bursaries vary depending on the subject and phase which is why http://www.teach.gov.uk/pgfunding is the best place to look. |
| lucyj - all the places for primary EBITT courses for September 08 in the Kent area are taken at the moment, is it worth applying for a place at a neighbouring LEA e.g Sussex or London? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes definitely. |
| linzibabes - £6,000 is half the amount of money that I am earning at present. is there a way to study part time so that I can still earn? Does this affect the funding available? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes you can study part time but not in Social Sc as many people want to be Soc Sc teachers there are limited places and therefore there are not many, if any part time courses see www.gttr.ac.uk for details. |
| Tara - Hi again, you recommended I look at an ITEAW. What is this as it isn't recognised in the GTP search engine? |
| Teaching consultant - Teaching consultant - iTEACH |
| richard - I went for a degree that finished in 2000. Unfortunately I fell just short, failing my dissertation and therefore my degree. Is there any quick way to get the degree to the satisfaction of going for teacher training? Or do I have to start a new degree completely from scratch? |
| Teaching consultant - You could look at the Open University and ask them how much credit they will give you for your study so far. You should have some credits awarded by your previous university. |
| christine - last question: since November I have been helping out in the local nursery and school. but all I have been given to do, despite explaining my intentions, is help with reading, is this enough? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes any experience is good however just being in a school you will have absorbed a lot of information - ask the teachers to let you see the curriculum and their planning docs especially the new primary curriculum. That will help also go onto the QCA website and look at the changes. |
| ianm - do all local authorities run GTP courses ? My authority is not included on the list. |
| Teaching consultant - No only those on the list offer the programme. |
| Jayne - I graduated in 1998 with a 2ii in Business Studies, my career so far has been office based. Will voluntary work working with children help my application? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes absolutely. |
| Jane - I have deferred my PGCE secondary PE course at the moment until September 2008 and I am thinking maybe about doing primary instead of secondary, is this possible? |
| Teaching consultant - Only if you apply for primary and you need to do this quickly as places are filling fast. |
| Adriano - The iTeach course by Canterbury College also allows me to have a bursary? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes if you are a home student. |
| Jayne - I have just begun to find out about the routes into teaching and will be attending the Train to Teach event in February. Is there still time to apply for 2008 courses or will I be looking ahead to Sept 09? (Lancashire area). |
| Teaching consultant - yes but it depends what you want to teach. |
| linzibabes - can I use my soc sc degree to teach another subject at primary school level? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes you can use it but you would have to probably look also at your A levels to support the whole curriculum as you will teach all subjects in primary Literacy, numeracy, science, etc. |
| Sammy - Hi, I hold a professional qualification equivalent to a postgraduate programme and am interested in the Employment Based Route to teaching. However, I don't have a science GCSE. Is any science subject acceptable? |
| Teaching consultant - You need science for primary teaching not for secondary and you must ask your local provider what they will accept but usually any science will be fine. |
| Sammy - Please advise the first steps to teaching via EBR. Is it to find an employer or course provider? |
| Teaching consultant - Both - you need to line up the provider and the school. |
| Jane - can you transfer from primary to secondary and secondary to primary easily? |
| Teaching consultant - It's done but not often - what you need to do is to create evidence that you understand the curriculum, assessment, SATS etc in both phases so that a school can be confident that you are capable of giving the best advantage to the children. |
| linzibabes - my a levels are in sociology psychology and English language with my soc sc degree - do you think that I would be able to teach at primary school level with these subjects? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes these sound very suitable as you have some numeracy and literacy there. |
| Rebecca - hi- I am NNEB trained and have a Montessori teaching diploma but wish to teach in primary school. What course do I need to do and can I do it part time? |
| Teaching consultant - You can do the GTP programme part time and some PGCE's can be done part time www.gttr.ac.uk has all the details. |
| JohnM - How interesting would an old(50) IT hack with no particular experience with children be to A/ a PGCE provider and B/ Head teachers after completion? |
| Teaching consultant - There is no age discrimination so you would be very welcomed but you must get some classroom voluntary experience to be sure that this is right for you and to find out if working with children is what you want. Please look for a three day taster course these are free and can be found at http://www.teach.gov.uk/exploration |
| Jane - I heard that if you fail PGCE or any teacher training course that you not reapply ever is this the case? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes you cannot become a teacher if you fail the course. You have the right to appeal the failure but if that doesn’t work then you can't teach. |
| linzibabes - so if I want to teach primary school children can I study part time? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes see the part time programmes at www.gttr.ac.uk |
| Natalie - I live in Wales. What funding can I get and how do I find about fees ? Do I pay them or is there a local authority to help? |
| Teaching consultant - http://www.tda.gov.uk/recruit/thetrainingprocess/fundinginwales.aspx has all the details for you. |
| Adriano - What are QTS skills tests? When should I do them? |
| Teaching consultant - The skills tests can be done anytime once you have enrolled on a course and there are past papers on the web for you to practice. There is literacy, numeracy and ICT and you book a sitting at a test centre a bit like the driving test and you have as many attempts as you like see http://www.tda.gov.uk/skillstests. |
| misbah - Hi there I did MSc psychology, post Magisterial diploma in clinical psychology and B.ED from Pakistan. I also taught there on secondary and post graduate level. Now I am living in England and want to go for teaching. I have no UK teaching experience. Which training programme I can go for and do I need verification of my degrees I am already registered with British psychological society , and can I teach psychology? |
| Teaching consultant - You can teach psychology you are an OTT and need to look at that programme see http://www.tda.gov.uk/ott |
| Jane - I understand that you can not teach if you have failed the course but can you not reapply or change the age group from secondary to primary for example? |
| Teaching consultant - No I am afraid not as we will not fund another programme. |
| Helen - I would like to start a career in teaching, my previous experience has been as a senior marketing manager and I am looking at what subjects I can teach. I have a business studies degree and would ideally like to work in a secondary school teaching business, commerce? is there anything on the curriculum that matches this knowledge? My other option would be teaching English and drama at junior school level - but I'm concerned this maybe oversubscribed, I would be looking in the Surrey area. |
| Teaching consultant - You can apply for a PGCE Business Studies at Kingston Roehampton or St Mary’s they all do PGCE and you can apply now for 2008 September start at www.gttr.ac.uk |
| Adriano - After reading some questions here, I would like to confirm this with you: I am a Portuguese citizen, but my degrees were obtained in Brazil (PhD in Sciences), do I qualify as EU student? |
| Teaching consultant - You do if you have kept your residence in an EU country. |
| misbah - on which level I can teach? |
| Teaching consultant - Any level but you can only teach your subject at secondary post 16. |
| Natalie - where can I get help for filling in my application for PGCE and what type of person should I have do a reference? |
| Teaching consultant - You can look at http://www.teach.gov.uk/interactiveinterview and interactive application will both help you as does the GTTR website and you need to have an academic ref if you are less than five years out of university and the second ref can be someone who knows your other abilities like a work colleague. |
| Jane - to teach 16 plus at a college do you need a PGCE? |
| Teaching consultant - You can use a school teaching PGCE to teach post 16 in a college but you cannot use an FE teaching PGCE to be classed as qualified in school and yes there are FE PGCE's called PCET which confer QTLS. |
| jcas - I want to confirm do I take my qualification in marketing and advertising to the university I apply or do I have to take it some where else before applying because I did not study in the UK? |
| Teaching consultant - You need to check your qualifications with UK NARIC at http://www.naric.org.uk then if they say that you have degree equivalence then you take a PGCE for teaching. |
| Angela - what's the difference between a PGSCE in art and one in art and design? |
| Teaching consultant - You will need to talk to the providers about the actual distinction but the obvious difference is that one will contain 3D and the other be more pure painting and drawing. |
| Salam - If I applied and studied for secondary level can I teach primary as well? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes if you can assure a school that you understand and can deliver the curriculum. |
| tiggy - is it still worth applying this year? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes absolutely. |
| Steve - I am a 33 year old male from south London looking to get into primary teaching and went on a taster course at UEL last week, spending two days observing in a primary school. I enjoyed it and would like to start training this Sept but would prefer a GTP or SCITT rather than a PGCE. Are there still SCITT or GTP places starting in Sept 2008? And with only two days school experience so far, will this weaken any application I make? |
| Teaching consultant - There are possibly some GTP and SCITT places but you need to really hurry with an application -you can always apply and you may be given a conditional place depending on gaining more experience. |
| tiggy - Do you need "evidence of recent learning" like you do for some other courses? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes you do for a UG course but not for a PGCE. |
| Adriano - What about directgov funding for EU students? Should I apply for this and also TDA funding? |
| Teaching consultant - You have to apply for the relevant EU student funding see the student funding website. |
| jcas - if I have a degree in PGCE can I work in another country? |
| Teaching consultant - Yes. |
| tiggy - How easy is it for an NQT to find employment? I do not want to leave the area I live in now. |
| Teaching consultant - Usually very easy unless you happen to be in a very popular area but even then very few people wait too long to get a job. |
