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Trainee teachers come in many ages and stages. Some have always known they want to teach, some come round to the idea while they are studying at university, and others decide to switch to teaching from another profession.
Fortunately there are many different routes into the profession. There've been huge reforms in recent years to the way teachers are trained, and the variety of choices may seem bewildering. So here's a guide to five options.
1. School Direct
School Direct is the youngest of teacher training routes. It was introduced in 2012 to give schools the chance to train graduates in subjects where there are shortages.
"It's about trying to fill local need," explains Kal Hodgson, assistant headteacher at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, which offers School Direct places. To train graduates, schools have to team up with an accredited provider, such as a university.
Students who take this route will apply directly to a school, which means they can choose where they want to train. Trainees will learn on the job and will be a member of the teaching team from day one.
Hodgson says: "They'll be mentored, spend time observing and gradually take on teaching responsibilities – they might teach the last 10 minutes of a lesson, for example."
There's also a good chance that trainees will be offered a job at their school afterwards.
The downside to School Direct is that it won't give students the experience of working in a wide variety of schools – as a PGCE university course would. And not all courses will offer PGCE status, which is required to teach in some countries abroad.
Length: one year
Entry requirements: Undergraduate degree, grade C or above in GCSE English or maths (or B if applying in Wales). Those training to teach early years and primary will need grade C or above in GCSE science.
If a trainee's degree doesn't link closely to their chosen teaching subject they may need to take a subject knowledge enhancement course. Students will also need to pass a skills test in numeracy and literacy.
Funding: There are two School Direct routes available: salaried and non-salaried.
• The former is available to graduates with three years' work experience – though some schools will accept less than this. You'll get at least £21,804 a year (or £27,270 if you work in inner London). You won't pay tuition fees, but you may need to pay extra if you hope to receive a PGCE – as well as basic qualified teacher status (QTS).
• Those on the unsalaried route will pay fees of up to £9,000. Student loans and maintenance grants are available to home students; loans apply also to EU students. Training bursaries and scholarships worth up to £20k are available to top graduates, depending on their subject area.
2. PGCE
"The PGCE [postgraduate certificate in education] is by far the best recognised route," says professor Andy Goodwyn, head of University of Reading's institute of education.
"Although it's referred to as being university-based, students still spend most of their time in a school," he says. In total, 24 weeks are spent on placement – normally at a wide variety of schools – while 12 weeks are spent at university.
Dawne Bell, assistant head of secondary education at Edge Hill University, says one advantage of doing a university training course, rather than an in-school training programme, is the amount of support you get.
"In addition to diverse placements in our wide range of partner schools, our students have access to student services like finance and counselling, cutting edge resources, technology and facilities, plus the opportunity to work and train alongside national leaders in their subjects."
Length: one year
Entry requirements: the same as School Direct
Funding: PGCE students will pay fees of up to £9,000. Student loans and maintenance grants are available to home students in England; loans apply also to EU students. Training bursaries and scholarships worth up to £20k are also available to top graduates, depending on their subject.
3. Undergraduate degree courses
Most undergraduate degrees in teaching are in primary education. "Trainees spend just under 50% of their time out on placements in schools. That varies across the years, with students doing less time in school in year one and more in the final year of their course," says Jim Clark, head of department for education and lifelong learning at Northumbria University.
Length: three or four years
Entry requirements: A minimum of two A-levels (or equivalent) is usually required, though this will vary. Students will also need grade C or above in GCSE English or maths (or B if applying in Wales). Those training to teach early years and primary will need grade C or above in GCSE science. Students will also need to pass a skills test in numeracy and literacy.
Funding: Students pay fees of up to £9,000. Student loans and maintenance grants are available to home students, loans to EU students.
4. Scitt
Scitt stands for "school-centred initial teacher training". How it works is that training is run by groups of schools in a partnership with a university.
The training is practical, hands-on and delivered by current teachers based at their school, or within the network of schools. Trainees will get qualified teachers status and, in some cases, a PGCE. Applications are made directly to the network of schools, rather than the university.
Length: one year
Entry requirement: Same as School Direct
Funding: Students pay fees of up to £9,000. Student loans and maintenance grants are available to home students, loans to EU students. Training bursaries and scholarships worth up to £20k are also available to top graduates, depending on subject.
5. Teach First
Teach First is an education charity that recruits high-achieving graduates to teach in schools where more than 50% of pupils are from low-income backgrounds. Trainees are given six weeks of intensive training before spending two years at a school. During their first year they work towards a PGCE qualification.
Length: two years
Entry requirements: A 2:1 degree or above (and above 300 Ucas points), A-levels in relevant subject areas, grade C in GCSE maths and English. Trainees will also need to show qualities such as resilience and organisational skills.
Funding: Trainees are paid as unqualified teachers in their first year, and as qualified teachers in their second year. Pay varies according to region and school.
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