Fancy educating Yorkshire, Cheshire, Essex..... ?

This time last year I was writing about the changes taking place within teacher training. It’s no surprise that 12 months on I’m still writing about changes taking place within teacher training!

If you are considering primary or secondary teacher training starting in 2014 you have a number of options to choose from:

·         University-based Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

·         School-based School Direct

·         School-based School Direct Salaried (for those with 3 years school experience)

·         School-based School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)

·         Teach First

All lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and some, but not all, will also lead to the award of a PGCE. Information on all options is available at:
www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options

Applications to Initial Teacher Training 2013/14

If you are going to apply for initial teacher training (ITT) programmes offered through PGCEs, School Direct and SCITTs, with a start date in 2014, you will now apply through a single online system UCAS Teacher Training. Applications for Teach First need to be made direct to their website.

Points:

·       The UCAS Teacher Training online application process opens on the 1^st November 2013 for 2014 entry.

·        The application process is in two parts. All candidates begin with Apply 1, regardless of when they make their application. They make up to three choices which will be considered simultaneously by their chosen providers. All three choices must be made at once. Candidates who do not hold an offer through Apply 1 can then make further applications to one provider at a time, through Apply 2, which opens in January 2014.

·        Providers must notify their decision within forty working days of receipt of the application. This means that candidates may receive invitations to three interview days within a very short space of time.

·        There are no deadlines. Apply 1 will remain open until 15 September 2014 and Apply 2 until 31 October 2014 for any programmes with places still available.

·        Candidates should book their professional skills tests as soon as possible – some providers will make an offer conditional on passing them by a specified date or by the time they are interviewed.  There is a new version of the tests this year.  Candidates should check whether their provider is offering any support with preparing for the tests.

·        Applications for Teach First 2014 Leadership Development Programme opened during the summer. You will need to monitor subject availability; History and Business Studies are already nearing capacity.

Information and advice

If you have any questions regarding teacher training contact Careers and Employability and speak to a Careers Adviser. Also, watch out for our workshops in October covering teacher training. On Tuesday 15 October, Patrick Greenhalgh (Careers Adviser) will be giving an overview on routes into teaching with particular emphasis on the application process. On Wednesday 16 October, Kevin Mattinson, head of Keele’s PGCE courses  will be talking about Keele’s primary and secondary courses. Both presentations take place between 1pm – 2pm. Go to the Careers and Employability website for details and to book online.