Employment-based teacher training

These programmes suit mature, well-qualified people who can quickly take on teaching responsibilities and who need to earn a living while they train. Many EBTT trainees have relevant experience in other sectors or in a support role in a school. Others are career changers who want to move into teaching. The three EBTT programmes are described below:

Graduate teacher programme

Graduate teacher programme (GTP) trainees must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) pays a grant of up to £4,920 to cover training costs and may pay a grant of up to £14,000 towards the cost of employing the trainee. The GTP is highly competitive and places are allocated to the best schools and graduates in priority categories.

Registered teacher programme

Registered teacher programme (RTP) trainees must have completed two years of higher education and must complete a degree while they train. The TDA pays training costs of up to £9,100 over two years, and the school pays the full salary cost. There are no priority categories for the allocation of places.

Overseas trained teacher programme

Overseas trained teacher programme (OTTP) trainees must have a teaching qualification that is equivalent to a United Kingdom (UK) bachelor’s degree. This programme allows overseas trained teachers (OTTs) to gain QTS while they work in a school. OTTs may apply for QTS assessment without training. If an OTT needs training to help prepare for QTS assessment, the TDA pays up to £1,750 training grant. The school pays the trainee’s salary.