Teachers for the 21st Century

What routes into teaching are available?

Undergraduate

This route combines studying for a degree with gaining Qualified Teacher Status, leading to a B.Ed or B.A. (QTS) qualification.

You will normally need at least two A levels (or their equivalent). You can study these degrees either full or part-time. The full-time study is usually over three or four years.

You will have at least 24 weeks in school placements during a three-year course and 32 weeks during a four-year course. It is sometimes possible to take a shortened course if you have already completed at least one year's full-time higher education.

Details of the courses offered are available from the individual colleges and universities, but applications have to be made through UCAS (www.ucas.ac.uk).

Postgraduate

This is usually a one-year (36 to 38 weeks), full-time route available to people who already have a degree in a suitable subject, i.e. preferably one that forms part of the National Curriculum.

A large part of the course is spent in schools (at least 24 weeks for secondary students, 18 for primary students). There are some two-year PGCE courses and some part-time and flexible PGCE courses available.

Applications for postgraduate courses are made through GTTR (www.gttr.ac.uk).

School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)

SCITT courses are postgraduate initial teacher training (ITT) programmes designed and delivered by groups of schools in Leeds. They allow you to complete almost all of your training in a school environment.

SCITT is a good option for individuals who would prefer to spend more of their training time in the classroom, putting theory into practice and developing confidence through more contact with pupils and other members of staff.

Taught by experienced, practising teachers, and often tailored towards local teaching needs, all SCITT courses lead to qualified teacher status (QTS) and achieve a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

For further information please contact Trinity & All Saints College (www.tasc.ac.uk).