Training to become a Teacher

1. Training to become a Teacher www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching

2. Recruitment for 2015 • Anyone starting PGCE teacher training will, in general, need to hold at least a second class honours first degree of a UK HEI or equivalent qualification. • Your degree classification may determine the level of financial support that you are entitled to: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/funding.aspx

3. How to Apply • PGCE full-time routes apply online via UCAS Teacher Training: www.ucas.ac.uk You can start applying for 2015 courses from the end of October 2014

4. UCAS Teacher Training (UTT) has replaced the Graduate Teacher Training Registry and UCAS now includes applications to the School Direct scheme and Post Compulsory PGCE. • Applicants decide which is the best route for them and apply appropriately

5.  Applicants will have three (concurrent) choices. Institutions have 40 working days to make a final decision or the applicant is automatically rejected. • Applicants have ten working days from the time that they get a all their decisions to decide which offer to accept.

6. Programmes open in November 2014 for 2015 entry but forms can start to be completed towards the end of this month. Programmes stay open for 10 working days initially. After that, programmes can be opened and closed.  • Someone not holding an offer after ‘Apply 1’ can enter ‘clearing’ known as ‘Apply 2’.

7. In UCAS Teacher Training applicants will be able to make a comparison between providers before making their choice. • Two interviews on the same day: Alternate interview dates may not be possible within the 40 working day decision making period.

8. For some PGCE programmes providers will remain ‘open’ all year round as is that case at the moment. Others might only open for 10 working and then close.

9. PGCE Options at Canterbury Christ Church • Primary (This includes the PGCE 7-14 option) • PGCE 11-18 (and a small number of 14-19 places) • Post-Compulsory

10. Direct Application for: • PGCE 11-18 – Modular • Primary – Part-Time and Modular • (PGCE Post Compulsory) Access the forms via the website http://www.canterbury.ac.uk/courses/prospectus/pgce/HowToApply.asp

11. Maths, English and Science GCSE • National requirement that teachers have the equivalent of the GCSE Maths and English and Science for Primary and 7-14 age range • Can take GCSE or institution test, but the Canterbury Christ Church test is not a GCSE. • At Canterbury Christ Church the University Maths, English and Science tests do not give you a certificate for future use.

12. Content of First Degree • Tutors look at this part of the form to judge if you are suitable. You need to prove that the percentage of study undertaken in the degree is sufficient. • A second class degree classification is now needed

13. Primary PGCE • The candidate has to prove that their degree is an appropriate foundation for the primary curriculum. • Non-standard degrees include: Psychology, Economics, Law, Business Studies. Applicant needs to show a background in the area/specialism they want to teach.

14. PGCE 7-14, 11-18, 14-19 • We are looking for you to be able to prove that 50% of your degree is in the curriculum area that you want to teach.

15. Personal Statement • We are looking for people who have considered why they want to be a teacher and can articulate this. • Awareness of current issues in education • Understand the positive values of teaching. • Have had some recent relevant experience in a school – or FE College for PGCE Post Compulsory

16. Work Experience • For Primary you need to have undertaken a few weeks work, if less than that you will struggle as you will be competing with Classroom Assistants amongst others. • PGCE 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19. You should have been into at least one school. • Post Compulsory. An understanding of how FE Colleges work.

17. Referees • Your academic referee needs to know why you are applying for teaching. • Second reference should be a teacher where you have had school experience. • Both references have to be completed before the form can be sent to your PGCE/School Direct choices.

18. The PGCE Interview • Fail the interview and no matter how good the application form and the reference you will be rejected. • The interview needs careful preparation especially for Primary PGCE and those subjects in 11-18 which are very popular.

19. Clearance • Any offer is subject to medical clearance. • All trainee teachers currently need to be checked and cleared by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

20. School Experience If accepted onto a course you need to complete school experience which you arrange. • Primary - two weeks • PGCE 7-14, 11-18 and 14-19, one week in a primary.

21. School Placement • If you live in Canterbury the University tries to place you in, or close to the city. • If you don’t live in Canterbury the University places you in a school unless a preference is stated. • Wait until placement sorted until you decide where you are going to live as 2/3rds of the time is spent in school.

22. Professional Skills Tests • If you're starting a PGCE you are required to pass the professional skills tests in literacy and numeracy before you start your course.   • Once you have submitted your application form, you will be eligible to book your skills tests via the Department of Education website. You will need to register online in order to book your tests: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/apply-for-teacher-training/skills-tests

23. Post Compulsory PGCE • The Post Compulsory Sector includes all education and training following compulsory school education. • Further Education and Tertiary Colleges • Sixth Forms and Sixth Form Colleges • Adult Education Centres

24. Entry Qualifications • a degree or equivalent with a good academic record • academic and/or industrial and commercial experience related to your chosen curriculum area • can demonstrate involvement with young people or adults in the community