There are hundreds of different initial teacher training (ITT) courses available in the UK. Choosing between them is a challenge in itself, and you should be prepared to put in a lot of research.
Your choice of ITT provides the foundation for your future as a teacher. You should consider:
The subject and age group you intend to teach
ITT courses and programmes are organised according to an age group and/or subject. If, for example, you'd like to teach a subject to an advanced level, you may choose to teach at a secondary level, rather than primary.
The kind of ITT you'd like to complete
There are many ways to train as a teacher, designed to support a wide a range of individual circumstances. The courses are designed to be flexible.
Choose from:
- School-based training schemes, such as school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT), the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) or the Registered Teacher Programme (RTP). These courses are taught on the job with the support of experienced teachers. Lectures or discussions that cover the same material as college-based or university courses may make up part of this programme. Please note that SCITT is funded differently from the GTP and RTP.
- Universities and colleges offer both undergraduate and postgraduate courses which include at least 18 weeks spent teaching in schools. Research your course and training provider thoroughly before applying.
- Study online from your own home. The Open University and Hibernia College UK Ltd, for example, offer online ITT. Such courses are suitable for individuals who have employment and/or family commitments.
All trainees will spend time in real classes on your school experience. All trainee teachers, apart from those on employment-based training, receive some training in schools, as well as at their university or higher education institution. Trainee teachers will typically spend at least the following amounts of time being trained in schools:
- Trainees on a four-year undergraduate programme: 160 days (32 weeks)
- Trainees on a two- or three-year undergraduate programme: 120 days (24 weeks)
- Graduate trainees on a secondary programme: 120 days (24 weeks)
- Graduate trainees on primary programme: 90 days (18 weeks)
- Trainees on employment-based schemes: determined by the training programme
All trainees will teach and be trained in at least two schools.
Graduate trainees are expected to have a good understanding of the subject or subjects they are training to teach before they start their ITT programme. Some subject training courses are available to improve subject knowledge and understanding.
Where you'd like to train
Wherever you want to train, and for whatever reason, you'll find there are ITT providers all over the country for you to choose from.
The institution you'd like to attend
No two courses of initial teacher training are the same - largely because no two ITT providers are the same. Universities, colleges and schools all display varying characteristics, strengths and entry requirements, not to mention course content and structure. Compare training providers.