| Ruba – I would like information on how and when to apply for PGCE, I live in Newcastle |
| Teaching consultant – Yes EU students can apply for a PGCE. You can apply now for a PGCE starting in September 2008 (and for flexible and modular courses starting before that). The application will be through http://www.gttr.ac.uk and you can check out all the relevant courses there by using the course search facility. |
| Sophie – I am unsure who would be the best person to get a reference from – please can you suggest? I graduated three years ago and have been doing temporary work ever since |
| Teaching consultant – As you graduated within the last 5 years your first referee should be an academic tutor from your university. |
| Nadiah – I'm planning to teach ICT in secondary. Is it too late to apply now? What if I don't have any teaching experience? |
| Teaching consultant – It is not too late to apply for a September 2008 start, but apply as soon as you can. You can organise a school placement and then mention you are undertaking this on your application form. |
| j2 – I have been working self employed for nearly 4 years, before which I worked for an insurance company for 4 years. Will a reference from a senior member of my team be suitable? Also who could possibly be my second reference? Could it be another person from the same company? I graduated in 1994. |
| Teaching consultant – As you graduated more than 5 years ago, that would be fine for your first referee and second referee. |
| Nadiah – As I can only do the school placement in late January (need to arrange for somebody to take care of he kids), is it too late to apply by that time or should I wait and apply for September 2009 instead? |
| Teaching consultant – Do apply now for September 2008 mentioning that you have organised a placement. Your chosen course provider can then ask about your experience at interview. |
| christine – hello, I am worried that I do not have enough classroom experience, just started 4 hours a week at local school, will be ongoing until September – is this enough? I left university 10 years ago, one reference will be my employer but job is not relevant to teaching, but she can verify I am reliable, mature, hardworking etc is this acceptable. Also, if I do not apply until the last week before the deadline, does this affect my application? cheers Christine |
| Teaching consultant – I guess you are interested in primary as you mention the primary deadline. If your application is submitted by 1 Dec including your first reference then it will be sent to your first choice to consider you. What you make of the classroom experience you have had so far is crucial to your application. See our application assistant on http://www.teach.gov.uk/applicationassistant to help you make the most of your experiences in your personal statement. Primary courses usually state a minimum amount of classroom experience they expect on application so check with your chosen providers if you are not sure you meet this. |
| Sandip – Hello I have a HND in computing statistics and mathematics in 1991 I am interested in teaching middle school, Maths and Science. Will I be required to start a degree from year one or will I be able to top up a year to achieve a degree? |
| Teaching consultant – You do not need to start a degree from year one and can top up your HND to degree level. Ask your local university or the Open university about the possibilities for this. There are a few 2 year full-time BEd courses which will complete your degree and QTS in one go. Call our teaching information line 0845 6000 991 to see if we have one in your area. |
| Nadiah – When can I know if my application is successful or not? |
| Teaching consultant – You will be sent a tracking password from GTTR once they receive your application. You can then go on-line to check the progress of your application. |
| scott1 – Hello I am writing to find out what is best to put in the statement. I have so much to talk about, but I am not sure what parts are most relevant |
| Teaching consultant – The personal statement needs to highlight your suitability for teaching so unpicking your academic background and work (in and out of school) with young people is key. Illustrating your statements with examples from your time observing teaching and learning in schools is particularly effective. See the application assistant on http://www.teach.gov.uk/applicationassistant for help in drawing together your background for maximum impact. |
| Princess – I am not sure do you have to apply for an ITT no matter which route you are taking into teaching. |
| Teaching consultant – ITT stands for Initial Teacher Training which you must undertake to get your QTS (qualified teacher status) to work in state schools in England and Wales. PGCE/SCITT and GTP are all ITT routes for graduates which lead to QTS so you need to undertake one of these if you are a graduate. |
| Daniel – My degree is a 2:2 in Maths and I have been working in industry for 8 years. Can I still apply? |
| Teaching consultant – As a career changer you application would be welcomed. Some courses do have minimum degree classifications they look for. You can check these in the course entry profiles in http://www.gttr.ac.uk |
| Nadia – I am Italian and I would like to know if my Degree in Modern Language can allow me to teach in UK |
| Teaching consultant – Your degree should be accepted as equivalent here. You will need to undertake a graduate ITT (initial teacher training ) course either a 1 year PGCE/SCITT or GTP course to get your QTS (qualified teacher status) to be able to work in schools. |
| Christine – hello, me again, thanks for your reply. Ten years ago I started on a PGCE but due to personal circumstances I did not complete the course. Should I mention this? Or will it be detrimental to my application? thank you for your advice Christine |
| Teaching consultant – You can mention this with an explanation of why it was not appropriate for you at the time and why you are now ready. |
| 'Tim – Which class of graduates are required to take the PGCE or the SCITT and where are this courses available to be taken and for how long do they last? |
| Teaching consultant – If you want to teach in state schools in England or Wales you will need QTS (qualified teacher status). Courses (generally 1 year full-time) leading to QTS for graduates are PGCE/SCITT and GTP. You can check out available locations of PGCE and SCITT courses on http://www.gttr.ac.uk |
| Ruba – I have a PhD in animal science, will it be possible to join PGC course please. Please reply to my queries as soon as you can, your help is highly appreciated |
| Teaching consultant – As a graduate you would be eligible to apply for a PGCE. You can check out the PGCE courses on http://www.gttr.ac.uk. Most have a detailed entry requirements section and a reference to their website so you can check you meet their requirements. If you are not sure contact them directly. |
| 'Tim – Please Where can I enrol for the QTP, how much does it cost and what is the duration? |
| Teaching consultant – GTP (graduate teacher programme) is usually a 1 year full-time programme. There are no fees to pay and you are paid as an unqualified teacher during your training. You apply to an EBITT (employment based initial teacher training) provider for a training place. Each EBITT has its own application process and deadlines. You can find your local EBITTs on http://www.tda.gov.uk/ebrcontacts and they are your first step in enrolling for a GTP |
| princess – I was on a website that told me I needed a GTTR registration number do I need to register through the GTTR website if I am doing a GTP. |
| Teaching consultant – No you do not need to register through the GTTR for the GTP. A GTP provider may ask you if you have also applied for a PGCE/SCITT |
| Daniel – I did my Maths degree some time ago and am worried that my subject knowledge is not very good and this may cause problems with my application. Can you give me some advice? |
| Teaching consultant – You could brush up your maths with some self study (look at text books, past papers for GCSE/A level, etc) and mention on your application that you have put a refresher programme in place. There are 2 week subject knowledge booster courses which you can take just before your course or in chunks during it. Course providers are looking for the combination of your subject knowledge and potential to be a good teacher. |
| Franklin – On the employment section of my GTP application form there is a section for "Nature of Experience". What sort of information should be entered here? |
| Teaching consultant – As all EBITTs for the GTP have their own application forms you should check with the EBITT you are applying to as to what they are looking for. |
| Franklin – Would be regarded as very cheeky to apply for both the SCITT and GTP? |
| Teaching consultant – You can apply to both |
| proctor – I am very nervous about the interview, can you tell me the kinds of things that they will ask so I can prepare? |
| Teaching consultant – Your course provider will let you know the format of the interview in advance to help you prepare. It will usually include a written task and an individual interview with a panel. You may also be asked to do a short presentation or present a portfolio of your work in your subject area. There may be group tasks. For an insight into the individual interview try the interactive interview on http://www.teach.gov.uk/interactiveinterview Your thoughts on your classroom observation experiences will be invaluable to illustrate your answers at every stage of the interview process. |
| OK – Hi I have a degree in quantity surveying, it is only a BSc not with Hons, what are the chances of me making a successful application to start design and technology? |
| Teaching consultant – Course providers vary in their minimum requirements for degree classification they consider. Check this with your chosen providers directly. Some do not specify a minimum. Course tutors will look at your application as a whole so will be assessing your potential to be a good teacher as well as assessing your subject knowledge is sufficient to support your work in school. Good classroom observation experience will help you to demonstrate this. |
| scott1 – if I have not had any classroom experience recently will it drastically affect my application? |
| Teaching consultant – It may do, depending on the course you are applying to. Ask your chosen providers if they have a minimum requirement for classroom experience on application. Most Primary courses do often 1 or 2 weeks in the last year, secondary courses are usually more flexible. |
| christine – is experience with own children's education relevant when mentioning experience e.g. helping with homework and reading? many many thanks for your advice, it has been very helpful, regards, Christine |
| Teaching consultant – Any experiences which give you insights into teaching and learning are helpful. Look at http://www.teach.gov.uk/applicationassistant for help with your personal statement. |
| princess – I'm confused what application comes first, ITT or a GTP |
| Teaching consultant – GTP is an ITT route for graduates. So you apply for GTP. (ITT is an umbrella term for all the teacher training routes.) |
| Nadiah – If I want to teach the secondary, will I need a secondary teaching experience or observation in primary school will do? |
| Teaching consultant – It is worth organising observation in the age range you are planning to apply for as this will be the best enhancement to your application. Check your chosen providers to see if they have any minimum requirements on application. |
| Daniel – I have got GCSEs in Maths and Science but not English, will I need this for teaching Maths at Secondary? |
| Teaching consultant – Yes you will need this or a qualification considered equivalent by your chosen course provider. If you do not have this then they can offer you an equivalence test of their own which you must pass before the PGCE starts. Check with them directly about this. |
| ok – What time scale are we looking at now for applications to be made, received and acted upon? |
| Teaching consultant – You can apply now for courses starting September 2008 and places on courses are filled on a first come first served basis as soon as course providers find suitable applicants. You can track the progress of your GTTR application using the password they will send you when you submit your application. Providers have time limits with the GTTR to consider your application, decide whether to interview you and notify you if you are successful. You can check this through he GTTR website |
| proctor – I have heard that there are lots of changes in the curriculum in Science and I am concerned about not knowing anything about them. Is there anyone I can speak to about this? Or a website I can go to? |
| Teaching consultant – Getting into school to observe science teaching in action is the best way to check this out. If you contact TIL on 0845 6000 991 they can find a 3 day taster course for you to do this. They can also arrange for a science teacher to contact you directly for you to talk about their experiences in the classroom. The curriculum can be found on http://www.nc.uk.net |
