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 SCITTs to enable trainee teachers to work towards gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Many SCITT courses also include a PGCE qualification, but not all do.
QTS only – fee funded Initial Teacher Training (ITT): a fee-paying route, working in partnership with an Initial Teacher Training Provider.
QTS with PGCE – fee funded ITT: a fee-paying route, working in partnership with an Initial Teacher Training Provider and a University.
QTS only – salaried ITT: this route is offered by a few schools, working in partnership with a SCITT or University. On this route you will receive a salary on the unqualified teachers’ pay scale .1 for the duration of your training.
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.
Assessment Only: this programme is offered by a number of universities, colleges and SCITTs 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 the ITT (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.