Teaching is a challenging and rewarding career choice, here's how you can take it on.
To take up teaching you will first need to complete some form of teacher training, whether you take up a training post at a school (School Direct), go through university, train through a SCITT (school-centred initial teacher training) program or any other form of teacher training, the most important thing is achieving your QTS (qualified teacher status).
Below are 10 questions that when answered may help you better understand how you can get into teacher training.
Are you up-to-date with modern teaching?
If you're not already, then it's important that you get yourself up to speed with the profession as it now stands. The curriculum may have changed, new educational policies may have come in and the landscape of the career could now be very different.
Take the time to get up to speed by doing your research, getting involved with online communities and asking any teaching friends / relatives that you may have.
Are you qualified?
Now that you're up to speed with teaching; you should know whether you're qualified or not. The qualification requirements for becoming a teacher are relatively simple:
You must hold at least a 2:2 degree
You must also have achieved a grade C or equivalent in GCSE maths and English (and science if you're looking to teach at primary level).
If you meet these qualification requirements then you should look to take the professional skills test; a set of tests that must be passed prior to starting your teacher training.
Have you decided on an age range or a particular subject?
The age range you decide may dictate the subject you teach. Primary level teachers will cover the compulsory subjects, literacy and maths, but will also be expected to take other subjects e.g. Science, ICT, History, PE, Music, Art, RE, Foreign Language etc..
You should hold a degree in the subject you want to teach at secondary level, if you do not then you will have to go on a subject knowledge enhancement course. One potential advantage of secondary teaching is that you can teach/focus one subject, rather than a few.
Teaching at primary level will see you working with children between the ages of 3-7 or 5-11, so if you enjoy working with younger children then this is likely the best choice for you. Secondary level will see you teach pupils between the ages of 11 and 18 years old. If you're unsure about what age level you'd like to teach at then try getting some classroom experience.
How much experience do you have?
In order to secure a teaching position, you'll have to display good experience in a classroom environment. Observing lessons is a great way to gain experience, decide what subject / age range you want to teach and also pick up some great tricks of the trade from current teachers.
Which form of teacher training are you going to complete?
There is more than one type of teacher training course available and you're sure to find one that meets your needs. Click here to see some of the routes you can take into teaching.
To take up teaching you will first need to complete some form of teacher training, whether you take up a training post at a school (School Direct), go through university, train through a SCITT (school-centred initial teacher training) program or any other form of teacher training, the most important thing is achieving your QTS (qualified teacher status).
Below are 10 questions that when answered may help you better understand how you can get into teacher training.
Are you up-to-date with modern teaching?
If you're not already, then it's important that you get yourself up to speed with the profession as it now stands. The curriculum may have changed, new educational policies may have come in and the landscape of the career could now be very different.
Take the time to get up to speed by doing your research, getting involved with online communities and asking any teaching friends / relatives that you may have.
Are you qualified?
Now that you're up to speed with teaching; you should know whether you're qualified or not. The qualification requirements for becoming a teacher are relatively simple:
You must hold at least a 2:2 degree
You must also have achieved a grade C or equivalent in GCSE maths and English (and science if you're looking to teach at primary level).
If you meet these qualification requirements then you should look to take the professional skills test; a set of tests that must be passed prior to starting your teacher training.
Have you decided on an age range or a particular subject?
The age range you decide may dictate the subject you teach. Primary level teachers will cover the compulsory subjects, literacy and maths, but will also be expected to take other subjects e.g. Science, ICT, History, PE, Music, Art, RE, Foreign Language etc..
You should hold a degree in the subject you want to teach at secondary level, if you do not then you will have to go on a subject knowledge enhancement course. One potential advantage of secondary teaching is that you can teach/focus one subject, rather than a few.
Teaching at primary level will see you working with children between the ages of 3-7 or 5-11, so if you enjoy working with younger children then this is likely the best choice for you. Secondary level will see you teach pupils between the ages of 11 and 18 years old. If you're unsure about what age level you'd like to teach at then try getting some classroom experience.
How much experience do you have?
In order to secure a teaching position, you'll have to display good experience in a classroom environment. Observing lessons is a great way to gain experience, decide what subject / age range you want to teach and also pick up some great tricks of the trade from current teachers.
Which form of teacher training are you going to complete?
There is more than one type of teacher training course available and you're sure to find one that meets your needs. Click here to see some of the routes you can take into teaching.