Routes explained
SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training): this teacher training route is designed and delivered by groups of neighbouring schools and colleges. Most of the training is delivered in the classroom by experienced teachers. Many schools work in close partnerships with universities for SCITT programmes, enabling trainee teachers to gain a PGCE or PGDE alongside working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Many SCITT courses also include a PGCE qualification, but not all do.
Provider-Led: a fee-paying route provided by a SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training), a partnership of schools offering training.
SCITT & School Direct: a fee-paying route provided by schools, working in partnership with a SCITT or University.
School Direct Salaried: this route is offered by schools, working in partnership with a SCITT or University. On this route your fee is paid by your employing school and you will receive a salary on the unqualified teachers’ pay scale for the duration of your training.
School Direct Non-Salaried: this route means that the school works in partnership with a range of providers, including some Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), to provide you with a QTS-only or PGCE qualification. With this training route, you’ll be based in a school, but will also be taught by the university, college, or SCITT that the school partners with. The school won’t be your employer, and in many ways, your training will be similar to other programmes in universities, colleges, and SCITTs.
QTS: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is required in England and Wales to work as a teacher of children in state schools under local authority control, and in special education schools.
PGCE: the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a one- or two-year academic qualification that can be achieved during teacher training.
PGCE in Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET): this is a professional teacher education programme that will qualify you to teach in the post compulsory education and training sector.
Assessment Only: this programme is offered by a number of universities, colleges, SCITTs, and School Direct training providers in England. If you are already working as an unqualified teacher, QTS can be achieved via the Assessment Only route. Individuals with a degree and substantial experience of working in a school, early years, or further education setting, can use this option to gain QTS without undergoing a teacher training programme.
Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship: similar to School Direct (salaried) programmes, Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships are a new work-based route into teaching. In addition to working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on successful completion of the course, apprentices will also complete an end point assessment (EPA) after the summer to consolidate learning from initial teacher training.
PGDE: a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) is worth double the credits of a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which means it’s easier to upgrade it to a Master’s degree.
Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT): a number of postgraduate Early Years Initial Teacher Training (EYITT) programmes are available via university or school-led training routes. All lead to Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) on successful completion. EYTS allows you to specialise in working with children up to five years old only.