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Routes into Teaching

Back to the classroom? Get into teaching.

Becoming a teacher might be easier than you think. With the right support and training, you can have a rewarding career at the front of the classroom.

Explore the information below to discover more information about teaching in a school:

Want to become a qualified teacher?

Teaching is a rewarding and challenging profession, for which you will need the correct training and support. In order to teach in a maintained primary, secondary or special school you are required to have obtained Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Once you have been awarded QTS you can be paid on the qualified teachers’ pay scale and work according to the Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document.

There are several training options for obtaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). From a BA in Education, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or an employment-based route, you will gain valuable schools experience whilst learning the skills you need to begin a successful teaching career.

For further information about routes into teaching, visit http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching

Are you already trained as a teacher overseas?

Overseas trained teachers (OTTs) can be a valuable part of the schools’ workforce. However there are some things to consider before first teaching in a UK maintained school. In addition to any right to work in the UK / sponsorship criteria, you may need to be aware of the conditions of your teacher status.

Teachers from within the EEA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the US.

If you have successfully qualified as a teacher from within a member state of the EEA, your teaching qualification can be recognised and you can be awarded UK QTS without having to undertake any further training or assessment. Teachers who qualified in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States of America (USA) will also be recognised as qualified teachers and awarded qualified teacher status (QTS) in England. If you are an OTT from one of these countries, you will need to complete verification with the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). Once you have been awarded this, you can be paid on the qualified teacher’s pay scale and subject to the same conditions and entitlements as other teachers.

Teachers from outside of the EEA

Teachers from countries outside of the EEA or not listed in the information above, will be subject to the four year rule. This means that although you are not recognised as having UK QTS, you will be able to teach in a maintained school for up to four years and be paid on the unqualified teacher’s pay scale. This four year rule starts with the first day of employment in a maintained UK school and does not stop with any breaks in that employment. Once the 4 years have expired, you will need to cease teaching and find employment in another post if you have not gained UK QTS by this time.

For further information please see: https://www.gov.uk/qualified-teacher-status-qts

Straight to Teaching (TES Institute)

Hounslow is a Hub for the Straight to Teaching work-based route to QTS, from the TES Institute. This pathway is for graduates with some teaching experience or who are already working in a school. This is the ideal path to QTS for Teaching Assistant, Cover Supervisors or Learning Support staff who would like to become a Teacher. The course takes place as you work in a school and can take from 2 years to 2 terms to complete depending on your experience. There is also the option for the Assessment Only route (AO) for those who have a teaching qualification from another country. 

For more information, please email cpd@hounslow.gov.uk 

 

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