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, subject information and enhancement courses, grants and financial support, contact The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) 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 1 Secondary training school in the borough 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 for example, English, Maths, Science, Design Technology, ICT and Modern Foreign Languages.

    Finding a school

    Prospective trainees are responsible for finding a school placement before applying to the Employment based initial teacher training (EBITT). 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 EBITTs, the North East London Partnership (NELP) and London North Consortium (LoNoCo). You will be interviewed by the EBITT before they will consider offering you a place on the programme.

    Payment

    Trainees are paid as unqualified teachers and the annual salary for outer London is currently £18,789.

    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
    ULF – Tel: 0207 536 7048: www.glos.ac.uk
    GTTR – Customer service: 0871 468 0 469

    Student Associates Scheme

    The Student Associates Scheme is for students interested in gaining classroom experience while pursuing their studies.
    The Student Associates Scheme gives you the chance to:
    • discover what teaching is really like
    • work alongside experienced teachers, and
    • develop new skills.

    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. 2010-11 placements are available in the following secondary priority subjects: mathematics, physics, chemistry, ICT and design & technology; and for men into primary. SAS students must be eligible for placements in these areas. This scheme is only available in England.
    This scheme was very successful in Waltham Forest last year with over 100 placements available in both Secondary and Primary Schools.

    What the scheme involves

    All students participating in the scheme are given a training and induction programme to prepare them for working with young people. You will then spend fifteen days in a school or college working alongside experienced teachers and assisting them in classroom teaching. The fifteen days of the scheme can be planned to fit your studies.

    How do you apply to join the scheme?

    You will need to contact an organisation that offers the Student Associates Scheme directly. When you have done this, you can register online for the Student Associates Scheme.

    Providers of the Student Associate Scheme

    University of East London, London Metropolitan University, Middlesex University, Willowfield 2 Schools SAS Partnership, Institute of Education, University of London and Kingston University.
    Further information: TDA website at www.tda.gov.uk/studentassociates

    Open Schools Programme

    If you're at the early stages of deciding about a career in teaching and would like to make sure that your observation will be sufficiently well structured, you might like to arrange a visit through the open schools programme (available in England only).
    The programme is open to those enquirers who want to teach maths, physics, chemistry, design and technology (D&T) or information and communication technology (ICT) at secondary level and those from under-represented groups in teaching (men who want to teach at primary level, black and minority groups and those with a disability).
    The exact structure of the day will vary from school to school, but a typical visit could include opportunities to sit in on two different lessons plus a pastoral session – like an assembly or tutor period – and a discussion with a member of the school’s senior management team.

    What can you do?

    Try approaching schools in your local area. They should be happy to arrange for you to spend a day or so observing one of their classes or shadowing one of their teachers. If you have more time to spare, then you could speak to a local school about becoming a regular volunteer – perhaps as a classroom assistant.
    Perhaps the best, and simplest, way to find out whether you are suited to life as a teacher is to spend some time in a school, observing experienced teachers as they deliver lessons and go about their daily professional lives.
    If you are interested in visiting an open school for a day, please call the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991, bearing in mind that, owing to high demand for places, visits are subject to availability.