Training to Teach

    There are various routes to gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Initial teacher training (ITT) develops the skills and knowledge you need to teach effectively, laying the foundations for your future teaching career.

    You can train after gaining your degree or study for a degree and train at the same time. There are also employment-based routes.

    For more information on routes into teaching, enhancement and extension courses, grants and financial support, contact the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) Information Line on 0845 6000 991 or website www.tda.gov.uk.

    For the latest copy of the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) and to apply on line for a postgraduate ITT course go to www.gttr.ac.uk.

    Graduate Teacher Programme

    The Graduate Teacher Programme is an employment-based route into teaching for graduates who wish to train ‘on the job’. It is a maximum of a one-year programme of postgraduate training leading to qualified teacher status (QTS). The GTP suits mature people who want to continue earning while they train. The training is tailored to the individual’s needs and entry to the scheme is highly competitive

    This scheme has been highly successful in Waltham Forest with over 60 teachers on the Graduate Teacher programme. We have 5 training schools in the LA in addition to other Primary and Secondary Schools who accept graduates on the GTP.

    Who is eligible?

    All applicants must have a first degree or equivalent and GCSE Grade C (or equivalent) in maths and English. For primary teaching those born on or after 1 September 1979 need GCSE grade C (or equivalent) in science.

    For secondary placements candidates must teach in the subject area of their first degree. Some places are reserved for key shortage subjects ie English, Maths, Science, Design Technology, ICT, Modern Foreign Languages.

    Finding a school

    Prospective trainees are responsible for finding a school placement before applying to the Designated Recommending Body (DRB). All schools other than those in special measures or Pupil Referral Units are able to take GTPs but not all schools take part in the training programme.

    See our Schools List for contact details of all schools in Waltham Forest.

    Applying for a GTP place

    Waltham Forest has 3 intakes for GTP in September, January and at Easter. We work in partnership with 2 DRBs, the North East London Partnership (NELP) and London North Consortium (LoNoCo). You will be interviewed by the DRB before they will consider offering you a place on the programme.

    Payment

    Trainees are paid as unqualified teachers and the annual salary is currently £17,523.

    Further information

    The following are sources of further information:

    TDA Website www.tda.gov.uk
    NELP - Tel: 020 7536 7048 , www.nelp-gtp.org
    NLP - Tel: 020 8411 4602, www.lonoco.co.uk
    GRTP Advice Line - Tel: 01245 454 444

    Fast Track Teachers

    The Fast Track Teaching programme closed on 31 August 2009.

    Fast Track Teaching was an accelerated leadership programme designed for classroom teachers in the early stages of their careers, who demonstrated the potential to rapidly progress into senior leadership positions. The programme provided bespoke coaching, mentoring and development opportunities to enable teachers to accelerate into the role of assistant or deputy headteacher, advanced skills teacher (AST) or local authority adviser within four to five years.

    Student Associates Scheme

    The Student Associate Scheme is a three-year programme funded by the Teacher Training Agency bringing together the Teacher Associates and Undergraduate Credit Scheme pilots. The Scheme gives students in higher education the opportunity to acquire knowledge and experience relevant to teaching and have the chance to explore teaching as a career while still studying for their degree.

     

    This scheme was very successful in Waltham Forest last year with over 40 students placed in our schools. This year we have over 100 placements available in both Secondary and Primary Schools.

    Who is eligible to apply?

    The scheme is open to students registered on relevant HND, foundation degree, undergraduate degree and postgraduate programmes subject to certain conditions.

    What the scheme involves

    Students can experience 10 or more days of school-centred training on the scheme. The training shows students what it is like to be a teacher and guides them in working with pupils. It allows them to use their subject Specialism in schools or to develop an area of particular interest.

    The Scheme consists of two levels:

    • Level 1 allows students to test out whether they are suited to working in classrooms.
    • Level 2 allows those who wish to progress past Level 1 to do so or, for those students who show an aptitude for and commitment to working in classrooms, to come directly in at this Level and to experience training much more closely related to the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

    Participating students can gather evidence of achievement against the Standards for QTS. They may later be able to use this evidence on entry to an initial teacher-training programme.

    Payment

    Students will be paid £40.00 per day spent in school (tax free)

    Further information

    TDA website at www.tda.gov.uk/studentassociates  

    Taster Courses

     

    Due to the current recruitment priorities within initial teacher training, courses are tailored to focus on the needs of specific groups under-represented in the teaching profession and priority subject areas.

    For further information and a list of course organisers go to www.tda.gov.uk or contact the Teaching Information Line of 0845 6000 991  

    Taster courses are designed to provide prospective training applicants with a clear insight into what teacher is like. All courses include a school visit, where you can observe the work of teachers with the age range or subject you want to teach.