From September 2023, all Teaching School Hubs (TSH) will be expected to deliver the new strategic roles to support local ITT delivery across their TSH area. This will be primarily focused on increasing school engagement in ITT with all ITT providers operating in the hub area - both in school placements and school settings for intensive training and practice.

 

Following a review of user research and engagement with TSH Council and ITT experts, two strategic roles have been identified, which support the ITT market ahead of the ITT reforms in September 2024, and align with your current roles and expertise:

 

1. Increase school engagement in ITT across their TSH region

2. Find and support Intensive Training and Practice across their TSH region

 

TSHs will play an important regional role in their TSH area working with schools and ITT providers to understand the local market, context and challenges. Utilising this local knowledge and intel, TSHs will be well placed to work with schools to raise awareness of ITT, fight misinformation and encourage increased engagement with ITT, particularly in ITT ‘cold spots’ and areas of disadvantage.

 

1. To increase school engagement in ITT, we will: 

• Map school involvement in ITT within our local area, making use of local ITT networks and DfE data to identify schools who are fully engaged, have limited engagement or are not engaged in ITT. We will gather soft intel to understand local issues.

• Using DfE data, we will engage with ITT providers in Bradford to further build knowledge of the ITT landscape in the area.

• Complete targeted engagement by promoting the benefits of ITT, discussing the new ITT reforms and requirements and providing information of the ITT providers operating within their area. Engagement will be focused on schools not involved in ITT and on developing high quality placement opportunities to grow capacity in other priority areas such as shortage subjects, disadvantaged areas and cold spots. 

• Support schools that want to be involved in ITT by providing examples of how this works in practice and what they may need to prepare. We will find and support intensive training and practice (IT&P) in school based settings. 

Although it is a provider’s responsibility to design and secure its own IT&P across its partnership, TSHs can play an important regional role in understanding the local market, raising awareness of the new IT&P requirements with schools and encouraging them to engage.

TSHs are also well placed to support providers to identify suitable schools for IT&P if they do not currently have suitable provision secured.

 

2. To find and support ITaP, we will:

• Complete additional targeted engagement with schools to explain/encourage them to consider hosting IT&P placements including disseminating relevant findings from NIoT’s IT&P pilots evaluation. 

• Work with providers operating in Bradford to understand IT&P delivery models and areas of demand for school-based activity.

• Develop a database of schools willing to host IT&P to support providers in their delivery of ITT against the new reforms. 

 

When undertaking our strategic roles, we must take an independent role and not promote our own ITT provision above that of other local providers.

We have a dedicated ITT Engagement Lead, Laura Morgan. 

She will be delighted to support schools and school leaders at all points in their engagement in ITT.  

Laura can signpost schools and school leaders to local providers and partnerships, as well as offering support and information about the latest ITT reforms.  

Laura can be contacted at the Teaching School Hub, based at Holybrook Primary School. 

Telephone: 01274 622002

Email: laura.morgan@exceedacademiestrust.co.uk 

 

Teachers make a difference.  Much like doctors, nurses and vets, teaching is more than just a job, it is a profession and a vocation. A good teacher can be the difference between a child falling through the cracks or developing a newly discovered interest that could become their lifelong passion and career.

Sitting in every classroom across the country are the entrepreneurs, innovators and craftspeople of tomorrow. By inspiring and supporting the next generation, teachers have a profound impact on society; there are very few other professions that will provide the same sense of achievement and accomplishment. 

As most teachers will tell you, there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ day at work - no two days are the same. You are unlikely ever to be bored by a lack of variety. It is also a career that offers great benefits, opportunities for you to use a wide range of skills and inspire students in the subject you love, to make a difference and inspire the next generation. 

You may remember a truly brilliant teacher from school who made a real difference to your life. As a teacher, you can use your knowledge and passion for your subject to help children unlock capabilities and talents that they did not even know they had. You will develop a wide range of transferable skills for yourself in the process. 

In addition to planning and teaching a range of engaging lessons, you can indulge in your hobbies and interests as part of your work by getting involved in after-school clubs, trips, or sport. 

If you are someone who has a positive outlook, has a passion for making a difference to the lives and development of young people, has good interpersonal skills and is independent, resilient and adaptable - then teaching is for you! 

Bradford is an excellent place to embark on your teaching career due to its vibrant and diverse community that offers a unique and enriching experience.  The city's schools provide a dynamic environment, fostering inclusivity and cultural understanding. Training in Bradford will support you to develop versatile and adaptable teaching methods, catering to the diverse needs of students from various backgrounds. 

Bradford's rich history and cultural heritage contribute to a unique learning atmosphere that encourages creativity and innovation in the classroom. Aspiring teachers in Bradford can expect a supportive community, a wealth of resources, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students while honing their teaching skills in a setting that values diversity and inclusion.

A good place to start for general information on becoming a teacher is the DfE Get into Teaching website. This offers good general information, from how to set up a school experience visits, to seeing what primary/secondary school life is like, to checking if you have the correct qualifications to apply for a teacher training course, to how to apply for a place on a teacher training course. There is also a step-by-step guide to the process, from thinking about training to teach through to application. 

If you prefer to speak directly to local teacher training providers for more information, you might be interested in the Department for Education’s virtual and face-to-face Train to Teach events. There are a range of events hosted from around the country that will showcase local providers in your area, and you will be able to book a slot to speak to the providers that you are interested in.

You can search for local train to teach information events here: https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/events

The DfE also offers a useful tailored advice service which provides you with personalised advice from a team of telephone agents who can talk you through training options, the application process and your next steps. You can register for this here.

 

Visit and volunteer in schools

To help you decide if teaching is right for you, and to support your application, you should do some observation, work or volunteering in schools. If you are not sure which age or subject would suit you, contact schools in your area and ask to observe in a classroom. You should also speak to the teaching staff about the challenges and rewards of teaching and ensure you understand both the nature and demands of the job. This will not only help you make your decision but will ensure you are stronger in the interview process.

 

How to apply

If you have any questions about teaching or the application process, you should register with the Department for Education's advisors who can help you on your personal journey to becoming a teacher - register here. This service offers personal advice from an experienced teacher. They can support with the following:

• Help with finding school experience
• Tailored advice and information about teaching
• Entry to our exclusive nationwide teaching events, where you can meet local training providers and get bespoke advice
• Email updates full of important information and tips to help you make the best teacher training application
• Help with the application process

The Department for Education website has a really helpful step by step guide on how to apply.

 

Applying for teacher training via the Department for Education website

To apply for teacher training courses in England, you should use the DfE's Apply for teacher training service.

The Apply for teacher training service is easy to use and gives clear guidance to help potential teachers make strong applications.

To learn more about the new service and to get help with your application, visit Get into Teaching.

 

Writing a personal statement

You will need a personal statement for your application. Your personal statement is used to explain why you want to become a teacher and your suitability for the role.

Take your time writing your personal statement; be prepared to receive constructive feedback and write a few drafts before you send it off. For support on what to write click here

 

If you’re a qualified teacher from outside the UK, you can work as a teacher in England for up to 4 years without Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

After that, you’ll need QTS to teach in many schools in England. Although it’s not a legal requirement in all types of schools (for example, academies, free schools, and private schools), you’ll find it easier to get a teaching job in England if you have QTS.

This guidance explains how to apply for QTS if you qualified to teach or have gained teaching experience outside the UK.

To become a qualified teacher in state-maintained schools across the UK, you need to undertake Initial Teacher Training (ITT)  Entry is generally competitive, but less so for shortage subjects such as maths, physics, and languages. Completion of an ITT course leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England and Wales. This qualifies you to teach.

 

3 routes that lead to QTS:

From September 2024, all ITT that leads to QTS should be defined within three core routes:

- Undergraduate fee-funded

- Postgraduate fee-funded

- Postgraduate employment based

 

Some providers will also offer further academic awards such as PGCE or master’s credits.

There are also qualifications for non-UK applicants who wish to apply for international qualified teacher status (iQTS).

What is an employment-based route?

• There are some teacher training courses that come with a salary.
• This means you will not have to pay tuition fees and will receive a salary while you train to get Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This is what you need to teach in many primary, secondary, and special schools in England.
• The main salaried courses include salaried and postgraduate teaching apprenticeships.
• This is a competitive route and you may need prior teaching experience and a school willing to employ you.

Your eligibility for each route will depend on:

• Where you qualified
• Your subject specialism
• Whether you already have teaching experience
• Your personal circumstances

Financial support while you train

There is plenty of financial support available during your teacher training depending on the subject you want to teach and your chosen training route.

Funding is available to help you train to teach. You can apply for: 

• A tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 to cover your teacher training, so you do not need to pay course fees upfront
• A maintenance loan of up to £13,022 to help with living costs

You can apply for a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan if you already have a student loan, and regardless of whether you get a teaching bursary or scholarship.

You will only have to make loan repayments once you are earning. Your repayments will not increase if you already have a student loan and take an additional loan for teacher training.

Training to be a teacher can be a big investment. You need to consider course and living costs, which can vary between programmes and regions of the UK. Find out what financial help is available by visiting the Department for Education’s funding page.

Across the UK, Initial Teacher Education Trainees (ITET) are entitled to the same student finance as undergraduates.

The amount of funding you receive for teacher training depends on:

• Your chosen route
• Your degree classification or highest relevant academic qualification
• The subject you have chosen to teach
• Where you live and plan to study
• Your personal circumstances
• Teaching bursaries for training in England

 

Employment-based teacher training courses, including salaried and Teacher Apprenticeships

If you are a trainee on an employment-based training route, such as a salaried route or a Teacher Apprenticeship Route, you are treated as an employee from the beginning. This means that you will earn a salary while you train, and so will not be entitled to other financial support packages.

For salaried teacher training and the Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship route, you will be paid as a member of staff and training costs to gain QTS will be covered by the school. This may also include a PGCE element. Your salary will depend on the school you train in and what subject you are teaching. This all must be agreed in your contract of employment with the school. Not all schools will offer this route for all subjects, so you will need to do your research or speak to an expert advisor. A training programme will be part of your employment.

 

Bursaries

To encourage graduates to teach certain subjects, bursaries of up to £27,000 are available in England. To be eligible for a bursary you will need the following degree requirements: a first, 2:1, 2:2, Masters or PhD. Certain eligibility requirements depend on the subject and age range you plan to teach and your degree class. Bursaries are only available if you are on a course leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and are not currently employed as a teacher. For information on Bursaries for individual subjects click here.

There is also the option to calculate your funding based on your personal circumstances here.

 

Scholarships

An alternative to a bursary, teaching scholarships of £29,000 are available to fund your teacher training for some subjects only. This is set up in partnership with highly regarded professional subject associations. These competitive scholarships are aimed at those with a first or 2:1 degree. Applicants with a 2:2 and extensive experience can apply. Scholarships are only available for some subjects.

For more information, click here.

 

Student loans and Tuition fees

Tuition fee loans are paid directly to your university, college, or ITT provider - it does not matter if you already have a student loan from your undergraduate degree. You can still apply for this student loan to support your teacher training. You will not need to make any repayments until you are working and earning. Use the DfE's student finance calculator to check your eligibility.

 

Is there any other financial help?

 

Maintenance loans

You may also be eligible for extra support to help with living costs. Students with children or a disability can apply for further funding from Student Finance - this could include the Childcare Grant, Parents' Learning Allowance, Adult Dependents' grants and Disabled Students' Allowance, which do not have to be paid back.

Details about these grants and the funding arrangements for trainees can be found here.

 

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

DSA is paid in addition to other student finance to help pay the extra costs you may incur because of your disability. It does not have to be repaid, depends on your individual needs, and is not assessed according to your household income. Find out more about Disabled Students' Allowance here.

 

To support your application to train to teach you can visit local schools to get unpaid experience in the classroom before you start your initial teacher training (ITT).

It can help you:

• Decide if you want to train to be a teacher
• Discover which setting you’d like to teach in (primary or secondary)
• Build a relationship with a school you might want to work for later

 

What to expect

Your experience will either be in a school or joining classes and meeting teachers online. Placements usually last 1 or 2 days, but some can last up to 3 weeks.

During your experience, you will get to do things like:

• Observe lessons
• See how teachers manage a classroom
• Find out how specific subjects are taught
• Speak to teachers and interact with pupils
• Learn more about teacher training - including the application and interview process

 

Find school experience

The Department for Education has a website where you can search for and request school experience in England:

www.schoolexperience.education.gov.uk 

If you are interested in training with Saffron Teaching School Hub, select Saffron Walden County High School as your school placement. Our ITT Lead Angela Rodda can then support you with a suitable primary or secondary school visit. Angela can be contacted at arodda@swchs.net.

Alternatively, email phaslam@swchs.net to ask about a school placement in the Saffron Teaching School Hub areas of Braintree, Chelmsford, Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford.

We strongly encourage potential candidates to take up the offer of school experience, especially if you have not had much previous school experience. It can give you lots to refer to in your interview too.

Some schools may ask you to have a DBS check before attending, others will ensure you are always accompanied during your visit to avoid this.