Teacher Training FAQs
General
How much do teachers get paid?
Your annual salary starts at around £21,588
(inner London between £22,686 to £27,000) and goes up each
year.
Undergraduate
Could I go abroad and study?
You will be offered an opportunity to go on a
two week placement in Year 2. If you chose Primary Languages as
your Advanced Professional Focus in Year 3 there will be
opportunities offered to study abroad.
What should I do when I am preparing for the course?
You must have a recent experience in a school
classroom and/or Early Years setting so that you have a fully
informed view of the role of the teacher and some experience of how
children learn.
Why must I choose between 3-7 and 5-11?
You must be trained to teach in two Key Stages
to meet the standards for QTS. Lower primary is working with
children 3-7 years in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1. Upper
primary is with children aged 5-11 years in Key Stages 1 and 2.
Your school experiences will relate to your chosen Key Stages and
lectures may relate to specific age phases. It does not mean
that you can never teach in the other Key Stage in your future
career.
Postgraduate
Does the PGCE have a specialism or specialist area?
No. The PGCE is a generalist programme
where you will be introduced to all primary curriculum areas,
including core and foundation subjects, Primary Languages, RE and
PSCHE. You will be qualified to teach any age of the primary
range from 3 years to 11 years.
How much experience do I need before applying?
As a minimum, you need ten days in a state
school in England within the last two years, although many
applicants have substantially more than this. As the
programme is fairly intense, you need to be able to demonstrate
that you are aware of learning and teaching and the current issues
in today’s primary schools. Additional experience that would
support your application includes taking extra-curricular clubs,
sports or summer camps, Sunday School, Brownies and Cubs, working
in a crèche or playgroup.
Does it matter what my first degree specialism is?
First degrees cover many aspects associated
with the primary curriculum, therefore is doesn’t necessarily have
to a current National Curriculum subject. Successful
applicants have entered the programme with a degree in Law,
Business Studies, Psychology and Archaeology, to name a few.
When do interviews take place?
Interviews occur from mid-October to March,
usually every two to three weeks. Places are offered on a
first-come, first-served basis so you are advised to apply
early.
Full-time PGCE - The GTTR on-line application
usually opens in mid-September for the following year’s
entry. You can apply from September to December, although
later applications may also reach us in time.
If I have a 2:2 degree, how much experience in schools do I
need?
You should have been into schools regularly
within the last twelve months.
What equivalency qualifications do you accept?
We only accept equivalency qualifications for
Science and Mathematics. Details can be found at
http://www.equivalencytesting.com/