How to Become a Teacher

Teaching plays a vital role in shaping the lives of young children, and it can be incredibly rewarding. But how do you actually get into teaching? 

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about becoming a teacher, including the qualifications required, the different training routes and what you’ll get up to during your training.  

Become a teacher today! 

 

What qualifications do you need to become a teacher? 

To become a teacher in England, you need a combination of academic qualifications and teacher-specific qualifications, including: 

• GCSEs- You must have a minimum of a 4/C in English and Maths. If you’re applying for a Primary Teaching course, you will also need a Science GCSE at a 4/C as well. 
   
• Degree- Most teachers must have a bachelor’s degree of 2:2 or higher. For those wanting to teach primary, the subject of the degree is less important, but if you are looking to teach at a secondary level, your degree usually needs to relate to the subject you want to teach. 
   
  If your degree isn’t directly related to the subject you want to teach, you might be asked to complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) before the training course starts. 
   
• Qualified Teacher Status- To become a teacher, you must also achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). QTS essentially means that you have met the Teachers’ Standards in England, which are set by the Government. You will gain QTS by completing a teacher training programme, such as Initial Teacher Training (ITT). 

 

Can you become a teacher without a degree? 

Yes, you can become a teacher without a degree, but you cannot do this through an ITT route.  

The most common way to get into teaching without a degree is through a teacher degree apprenticeship. This follows the same structure as any other apprenticeship, meaning you will train in a school and earn a salary while doing so.  

Some schools employ unqualified teachers and allow them to work towards a qualification while they teach. However, many schools will prefer to take trainees through an ITT course or an apprenticeship.  

What is Initial Teacher Training? 

Initial Teacher Training (ITT) is a school-based or university-led training programme that prepares graduates and career changers for a teaching career by providing them with QTS. Many courses combine QTS with a PGCE, or Postgraduate Certificate in Education, allowing trainees to gain deeper pedagogical knowledge.  

The course involves real-life classroom experience, mentoring from experienced teachers and professional studies designed to support your development as a teacher. 

Our ITT course is school-centred, also known as an SCITT. The course involves you learning while you gain real hands-on experience of working within a school. The programme is made up of three main elements: classroom placements, professional studies and mentoring and assessment.  

Classroom placements 

You will spend the majority of your time on the course teaching in class, building up to 80% teaching by yourself by the end of the course.  

During your placement, you will: 

• Work with an experienced teacher and observe them teaching 
• Plan and deliver lessons  
• Manage classroom behaviour 
• Assess and mark pupil work 
• Gradually take responsibility for teaching classes 

During your time on the course, you will also be placed in a contrasting school to gain essential experience in diverse educational settings.  

Professional studies  

Alongside your everyday classroom experience, you will be required to attend professional study sessions. You will learn about a range of topics, including: 

• How pupils learn 
• Behaviour and classroom management 
• Planning lessons around the national curriculum  
• Assessment of pupils work and effective feedback 
• Inclusive teaching practices 
  
  

Mentoring and assessment 

You will be assigned a mentor at your placement school who will support and guide you through the course. Your mentor will: 

• Provide regular feedback 
• Observe the lessons you teach 
• Guide you on a professional level 
  
  

 

Do you need a PGCE to become a teacher? 

No, you do not strictly need a PGCE to become a teacher in England, since the only legal requirement is QTS, but it can help to give you a deeper understanding teaching on both a macro and micro level.

A PGCE is a highly recognised academic qualification, making it an ideal choice for a number of different teaching jobs, including those overseas. The courses are also based on the latest educational research and theory, giving you a greater insight into teaching than just practical experience alone.

What will I learn on a teacher training course? 

On a teacher training course, you will learn and develop the essential skills, knowledge and practical experience needed to effectively teach in either a primary or secondary school.

Listed below are some of the key areas you will learn about during the course:

• Lesson planning and curriculum design
• Adapting lessons to suit different ability levels
• Explaining concepts clearly to pupils
• Establishing clear classroom routines
• Responding to challenging situations
• Building strong relationships with pupils
• Promoting an inclusive and safe classroom
• Tracking pupil progress and giving effective feedback

You will also learn about a number of topics beyond the classroom, including:

• Working with parents and carers
• Following school policies and procedures
• Maintaining a high standard of professionalism

Apply for Initial Teacher Training 

 

Teacher training FAQs:  

How long does it take to become a qualified teacher? 

Most teacher training courses last around one academic year or 11 months to complete.  

We also offer part-time routes, which are spread across two academic years. 

Do trainee teachers get paid? 

As a standard, trainee teachers do not get paid. However, if a school was to offer a placement for a salaried trainee, they would receive a salary as agreed by the school.  

When you apply for the course, it’s a good idea to also check what student finance or teaching bursary may be available to you.  

Can you change career to teaching?

Yes, you can absolutely change your career to get into teaching and many teachers across the UK enter the profession later on in life after gaining experience from other industries.  

It’s never too late to retrain to become a teacher, and we see many applicants in their 30s, 40s and above applying for the course. Schools often value career changers as they bring maturity, professional experience and different perspectives into the industry.  

Is teacher training difficult? 

Training to be a teacher can be challenging at times, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.  

Our ITT programme is designed to support and help our trainees gradually develop their teaching skills whilst working towards QTS.