For more information and find out how to GET STARTED
1. PREPARATION
Check your qualifications to meet the entry criteria
- a degree (UK or equivalent)
- GCSE grade C / 4 in English and maths — and a science subject for primary trainees (equivalent)
- Check overseas qualifications.and equivalency (UK ENIC)
Look for Teaching Taster Events
To get an insight into teaching and teacher training (online or face to face) and find out more about teacher training providers and what they can offer, and the route that will suit you
2. APPLYING
- Find teacher training courses
Use the Department for Education site to search and find suitable courses for you
- Write your personal statement
The personal statement is your chance to make your application stand and make the most of the qualities you have suitable for teacher training/teaching
What to include
Think about the things that providers will want to know about you.
- your reason(s) for wanting to teach
- evidence that you understand the rewards and challenges of teaching
- details of your previous education and how you have benefitted from it
- any other work with young people, such as helping with a youth club, working at a summer camp or running a sports team
- the range of relevant abilities and skills you can bring to teaching, for example, practical experience, managing people
- working with or leading a team, and communication skills
- whether you’ve taken part in the school experience programme or similar
In addition to the details you give in the school and work experience section, you can also expand on your experience of teaching, such as visits to schools, classroom observations or working as a teaching assistant.
3. REFERENCES
Your referees will tell providers about your qualities and abilities, so it’s important they know you well.
You will be asked to name two referees.
- If you’re still at university or got your degree within the past five years, one reference must be from someone at your university who can comment on your academic ability and potential.
- The other reference can be from someone who knows you from work, or who can comment on your character and your potential as a teacher.
- If you’re applying for a School Direct (salaried) route or are working in a school/educational settting
- Your primary reference MUST be from your current employer
- If it’s from a school you have been or are currently employed by, it must be supplied by the headteacher
- If you left university more than five years ago, you can choose two referees who know you from work, or who can comment on how suitable you are for teaching. You can still use an academic referee if you think that’s the right thing for you.
- If you’re providing a reference from a school where you have been employed or have done classroom observation, it should come from the headteacher
- You mustn’t use family members, friends, partners or ex-partners as referees.
- It’s important to use the correct email addresses for your referees – professional email address ideally
- do not use an email address that will result in an automated response (e.g. a generic HR address)
- your references must be done online – make sure your referees know this – We cannot accept paper or emailed references
4. SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
You can apply using a GOV.UK service called Apply for teacher training
