Armed Service Leavers

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to become a teacher and are they different for Primary and Secondary?

A: To teach in the Secondary Phase:

  • GCSE grade C or above in Maths, English
  • A degree in the subject chosen to teach OR an appropriate degree (e.g. degree in engineering / teaching Physics / D&T)
  • QTS Skills Tests in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT – taken when you register on an Initial Teacher Training Course
  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – Awarded on completion of an Initial Teacher Training Course

To teach in the Primary Phase:

  • GCSE grade C or above in Maths, English, Science
  • A degree in any subject BUT sound basic knowledge of National Curriculum subjects
  • QTS Skills Tests in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT – taken when you register on an Initial Teacher Training Course
  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) – Awarded on completion of an Initial Teacher Training Course

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I haven't got Maths/English/Science Grade C GCSE. How can I get these qualifications?

A: EM Direct offers GCSE Equivalency Testing in the following subjects:

Maths – Foundation & Higher Level

English – Foundation & Higher Level

Combined Science – Foundation and Higher Level

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I haven’t got a degree, what can I do?

A: If you wish to study part time for a degree then the Open University is a good choice.

A full honours degree is equivalent to 360 points. OU Courses carry credit points from 10 – 60. It is usual to complete a 60 point course in one academic year. This could mean that to achieve sufficient credits for a degree may take up to 6 years. You can get further information by visiting: The Open University

The OU do allow credit transfer for some previous qualifications. Check whether your qualifications will gain you credits.

If you wish to study for your degree through other routes you should contact the provider directly.

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I have a degree but it's not relevant to what I want to teach. Can I enhance my subject knowledge?

A: You can improve your subject knowledge in priority subjects like Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Modern Languages through a subject knowledge enhancement course (SKE). These can be short courses designed to 'top up' your knowledge (usually 10 days) or longer more intensive courses designed to develop subject knowledge to a greater depth (up to 6 months) Visit our SKE Courses pages for further information: Tax free bursaries may be available.

Note: You normally need to be registered on an Initial Teacher Training Course to be able to apply for SKE Courses, although EM Direct will accept a limited number of self funding participants (who would not be eligible for bursary payments). Details of all providers offering SKE Courses can be found on the TA website

You can also study subject specific modules through the Open University which would serve to enhance your subject knowledge. Refer to the question above – “What qualifications do I need to become a teacher?”

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I have my PTLLS and DTLLS. Can I teach in schools?

A: At the moment, the straight answer is “no” although some schools may appoint instructors (unqualified teachers) These qualifications are related to teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector i.e. Further Education colleges. For further information about teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector visit the excellence gateway. It may be that the new ‘Troops to Teachers’ policy will take these into consideration.

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Can I get any teaching experience prior to training?

A: Prior to applying for Initial Teacher Training you should try to get experience of working in schools by contacting local schools and offering your support – perhaps on a voluntary basis.

However, if you are interested in teaching Secondary Modern Languages, Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Design & Technology, ICT or Primary and you are from an under represented group (e.g. men into Primary), you can apply through the TDA for a visit to a school on the Open School Programme. To find out more information and if this is the career move for you, go to the TDA’s Career Exploration.

If you have a conditional offer of a place on an ITT course you can apply for the School Induction Programme. This is a 10 day placement in a school to provide you with experience of teaching. Placements are limited to the following areas: Secondary – Maths Physics, Design & Technology and ICT.

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How can I gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)?

A: EM Direct is one of the largest Employment Based Initial Teacher Training (EBITT) providers of the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP)

The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is an on-the-job training programme that allows graduates to qualify as a teacher while they work.

GTP trainees are employed by a school, earn a salary and work towards qualified teacher status (QTS), all at the same time.

It’s a good choice for mature people who want to change to a teaching career but need to continue earning while they train. Usually applicants find their own host school and then apply to a GTP provider such as EM Direct.

The training is usually over one academic year.

Alternative options to gain QTS are:

Undergraduate teacher training

  • Study for a Bachelor of Education (BEd) or BA/BSc with QTS, which includes degree study and a teaching component. Most universities will offer these courses but not the Open University.

Postgraduate teacher training

  • Professional Graduate Certificate in Education at degree level (PGCE)
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education including masters level credits(PGCE)
  • School-centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT)
  • Employment-based initial teacher training (EBITT)
  • Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP)
  • Teach Next

Visit the TA website for further information on training to teach via the PGCE, SCITT, RTP or Teach Next route.

Remember that you need to apply for an ITT place in the Autumn Term of the academic year PRIOR to the academic year when training starts.

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Can I train and get paid?

A: Yes. The Graduate Teacher Route (GTP) into teaching is an employment based route which offers a salary of approximately £15,800.00 for the training year. Click here for details.

Contact the TA for information about tuition fees and bursaries available if you train via the PGCE route.

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I want to work in a school but haven’t got a degree. What other options are there?

A: The school workforce is very large and varied, especially in secondary schools. Employment can vary considerably – examples are: School Business Manager, Teaching and Learning Assistant, Caretaker / Site Maintenance, Technicians – ICT, D&T, Science, Admin Staff – secretaries, receptionists

Please contact EM Direct for further information about other school-based careers: enquiries@emdirect.co.uk

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What is the latest information about the government initiative, Troops to Teachers?

A: The Schools White Paper 2010 (The Importance of Teaching) shows that the Coalition Government recognises the skills and attributes that members of the Armed Forces have that would transfer to a career in teaching, particularly with young people from challenging backgrounds. tda.gov.uk/Home/about/latest-announcements/troops-to-teachers.aspx:

The Government is looking into the possibility of a bespoke undergraduate route into teaching that could help Armed Service Leavers who have the relevant experience and skills but who may lack the required degree level entry qualification.

We have no specific information as present but if you are interested in a career in teaching when you leave the Armed Forces, please provide us with your contact details and we will be in touch as we get to hear more about this new initiative.

For more information and advice please contact us at:
Email: asl@emdirect.co.uk
Tel: 01476 512793

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