Train to Teach

There are a wide variety of training routes available to those starting their teaching careers in Peterborough. Opportunities in the area consist of both school centred and university based courses, as well as the choice to opt for our paid teacher internship. All of these options allow you to further develop your skills and put your knowledge into practice.

We have gathered together all the information you need about training to teach in Peterborough below. The information will not only help you to understand the different skills and qualifications needed to become a teacher, but also the different routes and courses you can take to begin your journey in this profession.

We have also supplied a list of different bodies that provide teacher training in the area, as well as the answers to a few questions we get asked regularly by prospective trainee teachers.

Eligibility criteria for all teacher training routes

You must have the following before you can start:

  • A degree (for secondary, your degree must be relevant to the subject you want to teach)
  • A GCSE grade C/4 in Maths and English Language (and in Science if a primary teacher). If you do not have the required GCSEs, you’ll need to show that you have an equivalent level of education.

If your degree is not in the subject you want to teach, or it’s been a while since you studied, you may be able to take a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.

Other key things to consider include the associated costs of training, the flexibility required to attend training at a variety of locations, and the necessary time commitments.

Please see below for the main teacher training routes available in the Peterborough area:

  A B C D E F G H I
  Salaried School Direct School Direct University led PGCE Assessment Only School Direct non-supported Bachelor of Education Education degree Teacher Apprenticeship Teach First
I already have a degree AND… yes yes yes yes yes yes yes
GCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 (plus GCSE Science for Primary C/4) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes
I have at least three years’ work experience in any sector yes yes
I have been teaching (as an unqualified teacher or an HLTA) for at least two years in at least two schools or education settings. yes yes
I do not have a degree

 

yes yes
I do not have a degree and I am working as a teaching assistant in a school or other education setting yes yes

 

A        Salaried School Direct

 

Duration of course Requires you to pay course fees You receive a salary Previous work experience required You could be eligible for a bursary You must apply through UCAS Teacher Training Eligible for student loan?
1 year No Yes No No Yes No

 

On this school-led option, you’re selected directly by the school or partnership of schools you apply to – and you’ll earn a salary during your training. Candidates often have work experience for several years. Schools all over Peterborough have places at different times of year. Visit the UCAS website to see vacancies.

B        School Direct

Duration of course Requires you to pay course fees You receive a salary Previous work experience required You could be eligible for a bursary**

 

You must apply through UCAS Teacher Training Eligible for student loan?
*1 year Yes No No Yes Yes Yes

 

** teachers’ salaries and benefits

School Direct courses are designed by groups of schools – with a university or a School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT), provider.  The schools recruit you as a trainee onto their School Direct course. Schools all over Peterborough have places at different times of year.  Visit the UCAS website to see vacancies.

C          Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)

Duration of course Requires you to pay course fees You receive a salary Previous work experience required You could be eligible for a bursary* You must apply through UCAS Teacher Training Eligible for student loan?
1 year Yes No No Yes Yes Yes

 

This involves study at university and experience in a variety of schools – see individual university courses for details. It is possible to gain a PGCE via some School Direct routes: ask individual providers if you are interested in this. 

*teachers’ salaries and benefits

D        Assessment Only

Duration of course Requires you to pay course fees You receive a salary Previous work experience required You could be eligible for a bursary You must apply through UCAS Teacher

Training

Eligible for student loan?
n/a There is a fee which may be met by the school or the candidate. Yes Yes No No No

 

The assessment only route to QTS allows teachers to demonstrate that they already meet all the QTS standards, without the need for any further training. You must have worked in at least two schools or education settings, for at least two years, to be eligible.

You will need to be employed in a school as an unqualified teacher, and the school needs to be confident that you meet all the teachers’ standards before requesting an assessment. Teachers need to present detailed evidence and their teaching is assessed in a school by an accredited and approved provider.

E        School Direct non-supported

Duration of course Requires you to pay course fees You receive a salary Previous work experience required You could be eligible for a bursary You must apply through UCAS Teacher

Training

Eligible for student loan?
1 year Yes Yes Not officially, but in practice yes. No No No

 

All applicants through this route must be employed by a school, as an unqualified teacher, and be supported in their application by their employing school. Trainees work alongside outstanding practitioners and spend a greater proportion of their time training in the classroom and in school. Trainees following this route will attend centrally provided training one day per week for the duration of the programme.

 

F        Bachelor of Education

Duration of course Requires you to pay course fees You receive a salary Previous work experience required You could be eligible for a bursary You must apply through UCAS

 

Eligible for student loan?
4 years Yes No No No Yes Yes

 

This is usually a four year degree which includes Qualified Teacher Status (check that it does include QTS before applying). It is more commonly taken by primary teachers:  usually secondary schools prefer you to have a degree in a subject related to the one you plan to teach, with QTS gained via one of the routes C-H above.

G         Education degree

 

Duration of course Requires you to pay course fees You receive a salary Previous work experience required You could be eligible for a bursary You must apply through UCAS Eligible for student loan?
3 or 4 years* Yes Yes Yes No Yes No

At the end of your degree course you would apply for a one-year teacher training programme to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), via one of routes A-D or F above.

*The University of Bedfordshire offers a four-year part-time course, designed for those currently working in the education sector in support roles such as Nursery Nurses, Teaching Assistants and Extended School provision.

H        Teacher Apprenticeship

Duration of course Requires you to pay course fees You receive a salary Previous work experience required You could be eligible for a bursary You must apply through UCAS

 

Eligible for student loan?
1 year No Yes Not officially, but in practice yes – you need to have a school ready to employ you before you apply. No Yes No

 

The postgraduate teaching apprenticeship is a school-led initial teacher training (ITT) route that combines paid work with on- and off-the-job training, qualifications, and progression.

ITT providers and schools will decide the overall structure of the apprenticeship, but the apprentice must spend 20% of their time in off-the-job training. The usual time for completion of the apprenticeship is four terms – it can take longer if an apprentice needs more support, for example, or if an apprentice is part time.

 

Information about the apprenticeship standard can be found here: www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/teacher-v1-0 and more about applying can be found here: www.ucas.com/teaching-option/postgraduate-teaching-apprenticeship.  Please note that there are eligibility criteria for funding.

 

I         Teach First

 

Duration of course Requires you to pay course fees You receive a salary Previous work experience required You could be eligible for a bursary You must apply through UCAS

 

Eligible for student loan?
2 years No yes Check before you apply. Yes No ( direct to TF) No

If you’re a graduate or career changer with a 2:1 or above, you may also be eligible to join the Teach First training programme.

This option combines leadership development and teacher training, giving applicants the chance to become an inspirational leader in classrooms that need it the most. It is a two year salaried programme, leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) qualification. Following five weeks of intensive training, you’ll continue to learn on the job while you work towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Providers in the Peterborough area:

Paragon Teaching School Alliance

Teach East

Bedford University

The Cambridge Partnership

Teach First

Lime Trust

More information about UK entry requirements can be found on the Get into Teaching website, which is a UK government website.

Menu