Stand out from the Crowd!
You've made an excellent decision to get into teaching! Everyone does it for their own reasons, but it's one of the most rewarding vocational professions and forms the grass roots of every other profession. So once, you've taken that first step, what should you do next?
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There are a variety of ways you can meet us and talk to us about teacher training, gaining experience, funding etc. You can talk to us via our forum, send us an email, contact the school at which you're interested in training or come along to one of the many information evenings and recruitment events that are on throughout the year.
Once you've decided which route you're going to take and what funding may be available to you, the next step is to make sure that you will meet the eligibility criteria. This varies from provider to provider, but at the basic level you will need a good honours degree, maths and English GCSE or equivalent at grade C (and a science as well if you are applying for primary). You also need to pass your Skills Tests in Literacy and Numeracy.
Make sure that you have some recent experience of working with young people. Most, if not all of the schools in our partnership will offer some school experience if you are genuinely interested in applying for teaching. The School Experience Programme is also available should you wish to try further afield.
Now you're ready to apply! Applications for teacher training are via UCAS. You have two opportunities to apply. Apply 1 opens in October (usually in the half term week), and Apply 2 opens in November. Apply 1 provides you with the opportunity to apply to three different providers/courses at the same time. They have to process your application within 40 days of receiving it. All the providers receive your application on the same day. If you're successful in getting through the sifting process, you may be offered an interview.
Before setting pen to paper - set up your referees, you will need two of them. One who knows you professionally, and one who can attest to your academic prowess. Universities will want you to be able to handle academic study and write dissertations. They are also going to want to know that you can handle the pressure. Let them know that you are providing their details so they know to expect the request. References can hold up an application. Once your references are in order you're ready to think about your personal statement. This is where your application can make or break you. No matter how good your application is, or how much potential you may have, no one will discover you, if you're hidden behind a weak personal statement. A good personal statement is absolutely crucial to securing that interview.