ITT - Strategic Role
Download our factsheet "How Schools Can Engage in ITT and Recruitment" here
As a school leader you might also want to look at this video which explains some of the changes to initial teacher training from Sept 2024. Click here to watch.
(Required 20hours of mentor training has been removed by the DfE)
Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Routes explained:
The most common route into teaching is the PGCE, which can be studied at university or as part of a school-based training programme.
QTS is a professional qualification for teachers that makes them eligible to work in schools in England. For many schools, such as state schools, the QTS is a requirement for teaching jobs. Other institutions like private schools, free schools and academies might employ teachers without QTS, but it’s still a useful qualification and many be desirable even in these institutions.
There are multiple ways of getting QTS.
A SCITT is a post-graduate teacher training route that will lead to QTS. This teacher training route is designed and delivered by schools linked to an accredited SCITT provider. Most of the training involves being in the classroom, teaching and learning alongside experienced teachers. You will gain experience in two contrasting school settings and two different key stages during the training and there will also be professional studies and subject based training session related to the theory of teaching, learning and classroom management.
A SCITT usually takes 1 academic year, although some providers also provide graduate SCITT routes.
Most SCITT programmes also involve studying for a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE), and will be linked to a University for this.
PGCE courses based at university start with an academic focus that covers teaching, learning theory and managing classroom behaviour. You apply to study with a specific training provider/university and will conduct the majority of your study on campus. You’ll also get classroom experience, spending time teaching and being trained in at least two schools for a minimum of 24 weeks.
A graduate route for experienced unqualified teachers to achieve QTS.
This programme is offered by a number of universities, colleges and SCITTs, in England. If you are working as an unqualified teacher, you could achieve QTS via the Assessment Only route. If you have a degree and substantial experience of working in a school, early years, or further education setting, this option allows you to gain QTS without undergoing a teacher training programme.
University or school-led training programmes leading to EYTS.
A number of postgraduate Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) programmes are available via university or school-led training routes. All lead to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) on successful completion. EYTS allows you to specialise in working with children up to five years old only.
An employment-based route that allows you earn a salary while you train.
Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships are a new, nationally-recognised, work-based route into teaching. In addition to working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on successful completion of the course, apprentices will also complete an end point assessment (EPA) after the summer to consolidate learning from initial teacher training.
Superb employment opportunities within partner MATs
Training in an Outstanding context with practicing primary experts
