What are the options?

There are three routes available to those looking to gain QTS (Qualified Teacher Status.) Unsalaried training, Salaried and Assessment Only. There is further information about each of these routes below. The majority of our applicants successfully apply for unsalaried training - this is our most popular route into teaching and suitable for the majority of applicants joining the profession.

What do candidates need to train to teach?

To have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 in GCSE English and mathematics. To teach children aged 3 to 11, candidates also need to have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 in a GCSE science subject.

A university degree 2:2 or above.

School Direct Unsalaried

  • Suitable for graduates with limited or no school experience.
  • Trainees pay tuition fees of £9250 to complete a full-time one year course or £13870 to complete a two-year part time course.
  • Tuition fee loans and maintenance grants are available.
  • Trainee teachers must complete placements at two schools and gradually build from classroom observation to teaching 60-80% of a full time timetable.
  • Suitable for high quality graduates, typically with at least three years’ transferable work history.
  • Schools pay salaried trainee teachers on the UQT pay scale, usually from £18169.
  • Trainee teachers must complete placements at two schools and quickly build from classroom observation to teaching up to 90% of a full time timetable.

School Direct Salaried

  • QTS with the option to add a PGCE.
  • The opportunity for trainees to study full or part time.
  • Plenty of classroom experience in at least two schools – a minimum of 24 weeks of school experience.
  • Training to meet the Teachers’ Standards, which will include classroom management and bespoke subject knowledge / phase mentoring.
  • Expert academic and practical guidance and support from accredited mentors.
  • Active Learning Trust trainees grown in the model for Active Learning Trust schools and our local partners.

 

Both training routes offer

  • QTS with the option to add a PGCE.
  • The opportunity for trainees to study full or part time.
  • Plenty of classroom experience in at least two schools – a minimum of 24 weeks of school experience.
  • Training to meet the Teachers’ Standards, which will include classroom management and bespoke subject knowledge / phase mentoring.
  • Expert academic and practical guidance and support from accredited mentors.
  • Active Learning Trust trainees grown in the model for Active Learning Trust schools and our local partners.

Assessment Only

  • The assessment only route to QTS allows teachers to demonstrate that they already meet all the Teachers’ Standards, without the need for any further training.
  • Teachers need to present detailed evidence for each standard; have taught in at least two Key Stages and two schools for a minimum of two years.
  • Contact us if you believe you meet these criteria and would like advice on how to complete Assessment Only.

Bursaries and Scholarships

The following financial incentives are available in 2021/22:

(These are subject to change each year, so please check back.)

Subject.          Bursary   (£) Scholarship (£)
Chemistry 24,000 26,000
Computing 24,000 26,000
Mathematics 24,000 26,000
Physics 24,000 26,000
Classics 10,000 -
Languages 10,000 -
Biology 7,000