Train to Teach

There are a wide variety of training routes available to those starting their teaching careers in Cambridgeshire. Opportunities in the area consist of both part-time and full-time courses, as well as the choice to opt for our paid teaching internship. All of these options that allow you to further develop your skills and put your knowledge into practice.

See our video for an overview of the teacher training routes into teaching.

We have gathered together all the information you need about training to teach in Cambridgeshire in the details below. The information will not only help you to understand the different skills and qualifications needed to become a teacher, but also the different routes and courses you can take to begin your journey in this profession.

We have also supplied a complete list of different bodies that provide teacher training in the area, as well as the answers to a few questions we get asked regularly by prospective trainee teachers. For example, you can find out what different course types are available based on your experience, and what qualifications are essential for a teaching role.

Eligibility criteria for all teacher training routes.

You must have the following before you can start:

• A degree (for secondary, your degree must be relevant to the subject you want to teach)
• A GCSE grade C/4 in Maths and English (and in Science if a primary teacher)

If you do not have the required GCSEs, you’ll need to show that you have an equivalent level of education.

If your degree is not in the subject you want to teach, or it’s been a while since you studied, you may be able to take a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.

Other key things to consider include the associated costs of training, the flexibility required to attend training at a variety of locations, and the necessary time commitments.

There is also a project running in Fenland and East Cambridgeshire to support local people into teacher training. Please visit the Fully Funded One-to-One Guidance in Fenland and East Cambridgeshire page for more information on how to access this support.

Please see below for the teacher training routes available:

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H		J
	Salaried School Direct	School Direct	University led PGCE	Assessment Only	School Direct non-supported	Bachelor of Education	Education degree	Teacher Apprenticeship		Teach First
I already have a degree and…..	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	yes		yes
GCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 (plus GCSE Science for Primary)	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	yes		yes
I have at least two years’ work experience.	no	no	no	yes	yes	no	no	no		no
I have been teaching (as an unqualified teacher or an HLTA) for at least two years in at least two schools or education settings.	yes	no	no	yes	no	no	no	no		no
I do not have a degree	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	no		no
I do not have a degree and I am working as a teaching assistant in a school or other education setting	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	no		no

 

A        Salaried School Direct

 

Duration of course	Requires you to pay course fees	You receive a salary	Previous work experience required	You could be eligible for a bursary	You must apply through UCAS Teacher Training	Eligible for student loan?
1 year*	No	Yes	No	No	Yes	No

 

On this school-led option, you’re selected directly by the school or partnership of schools you apply to – and you’ll earn a salary during your training. Candidates often have work experience for several years. Schools all over Cambridgeshire have places at different times of year. Visit the UCAS website to see vacancies.

*Part time, two year training programmes are available.

 

B        School Direct

Duration of course	Requires you to pay course fees	You receive a salary	Previous work experience required	You could be eligible for a bursary**	You must apply through UCAS Teacher Training	Eligible for student loan?
*1 year	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes

** teachers’ salaries and benefits

School Direct courses are designed by groups of schools – with a university or a School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT), provider.  The schools recruit you as a trainee onto their School Direct course. Schools all over Cambridgeshire have places at different times of year.  Visit the UCAS website to see vacancies.

*Part time programmes are available over two years.

C          Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)

Duration of course	Requires you to pay course fees	You receive a salary	Previous work experience required	You could be eligible for a bursary*	You must apply through UCAS Teacher Training	Eligible for student loan?
1 year	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes

 This involves study at university and experience in a variety of schools – see individual university courses for details. It is possible to gain a PGCE via some School Direct routes: ask individual providers if you are interested in this.

*teachers’ salaries and benefits

 

D        Assessment Only

Duration of course	Requires you to pay course fees	You receive a salary	Previous work experience required	You could be eligible for a bursary	You must apply through UCAS Teacher Training	Eligible for student loan?
n/a	There is a fee which may be met by the school or the candidate.	Yes	Yes	No	No	No

The assessment only route to QTS allows teachers to demonstrate that they already meet all the QTS standards, without the need for any further training. You must have worked in at least two schools or education settings, for at least two years, to be eligible.

You will need to be employed in a school as an unqualified teacher, and the school needs to be confident that you meet all the teachers’ standards before requesting an assessment. Teachers need to present detailed evidence and their teaching is assessed in a school by an accredited and approved provider.

 

E        School Direct non-supported

Duration of course	Requires you to pay course fees	You receive a salary	Previous work experience required	You could be eligible for a bursary	You must apply through UCAS Teacher Training	Eligible for student loan?
1 year	Yes	Yes	Not officially, but in practice yes.	No	No	No

 All applicants through this route must be employed by a school, as an unqualified teacher, and be supported in their application by their employing school. Trainees work alongside outstanding practitioners and spend a greater proportion of their time training in the classroom and in school. Trainees following this route will attend centrally provided training one day per week for the duration of the programme.

 

F        Bachelor of Education

Duration of course	Requires you to pay course fees	You receive a salary	Previous work experience required	You could be eligible for a bursary	You must apply through UCAS	Eligible for student loan?
4 years	Yes	No	No	No	Yes	Yes

This is usually a four year degree which includes Qualified Teacher Status (check that it does include QTS before applying). It is more commonly taken by primary teachers:  usually secondary schools prefer you to have a degree in a subject related to the one you plan to teach, with QTS gained via one of the routes C-H above.

 

G         Education degree

Duration of course	Requires you to pay course fees	You receive a salary	Previous work experience required	You could be eligible for a bursary	You must apply through UCAS	Eligible for student loan?
3 or 4 years*	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No

 

At the end of your degree course you would apply for a one-year teacher training programme to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), via one of routes A-D or F above.

*The University of Bedfordshire offers a four-year part-time course, designed for those currently working in the education sector in support roles such as Nursery Nurses, Teaching Assistants and Extended School provision.

 

H        Teacher Apprenticeship

Duration of course	Requires you to pay course fees	You receive a salary	Previous work experience required	You could be eligible for a bursary	You must apply through UCAS	Eligible for student loan?
1 year	No	Yes	Not officially, but in practice yes – you need to have a school ready to employ you before you apply.	No	Yes	No

The postgraduate teaching apprenticeship is a school-led initial teacher training (ITT) route that combines paid work with on- and off-the-job training, qualifications, and progression. It is open for Primary, Secondary and Special school candidates.

ITT providers and schools will decide the overall structure of the apprenticeship, but the apprentice must spend 20% of their time in off-the-job training. The usual time for completion of the apprenticeship is four terms – it can take longer if an apprentice needs more support, for example, or if an apprentice is part time.

Information about the apprenticeship standard can be found here: www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/teacher-v1-0 and more about applying can be found here: www.ucas.com/teaching-option/postgraduate-teaching-apprenticeship.  Please note that there are eligibility criteria for funding, including residency in the England/EEA.  More information about this route can be found on this page

J        Teach First

Duration of course	Requires you to pay course fees	You receive a salary	Previous work experience required	You could be eligible for a bursary	You must apply through UCAS	Eligible for student loan?
2 years	No	yes	Check before you apply.	Yes	No ( direct to TF)	No

If you’re a graduate or career changer with a 2:1 or above, you may also be eligible to join the Teach First training programme.

This option combines leadership development and teacher training, giving applicants the chance to become an inspirational leader in classrooms that need it the most. It is a two year salaried programme, leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) qualification. Following five weeks of intensive training, you’ll continue to learn on the job while you work towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Which providers offer which routes?

Salaried School Direct

School Direct

University-led PGCE

Assessment Only

Non supported School Direct

Apprenticeship

Education BA with QTS

Education BA without QTS

Early Years ITT

Primary

Secondary

Early Years

Provider Name

CTSN

yes

yes

yes

yes

CASSA

yes

yes

yes

yes

AGTSA

yes

yes

yes

yes

Cambridge Partnership

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

University of Bedfordshire

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

University of Cambridge

yes

yes

yes

Anglia Ruskin University

yes

West Essex

yes

yes

yes

Inspiration

yes

yes

yes

yes

United Teaching

yes

yes

yes

yes

yes

Teach First

yes

yes

yes

 

More information about UK entry requirements can be found on the Get into Teaching website, which is a UK government website.

For FAQs about Teacher Training go to this page.

Returning to teaching

If you are a qualified teacher thinking about returning to the profession, talk to us about what support we can offer to get you back into teaching.

Opportunity Area One to One Guidance  This is  fully funded service provided by the Opportunity area for those seeking to join the profession in Fenland and East Cambridgeshire areas.