FAQs
- What do I need to become a Graduate Teacher?
- How do we become a GTP training school?
- How long does the training take?
- Who pays for the training?
What do I need to become a Graduate Teacher?
The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is an Employment Based Training route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The GTP is for trainees employed in maintained schools and is funded by the TDA. Only teachers with QTS can be appointed to permanent teaching posts in maintained schools and register with the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE).
For entry to the GTP you must be able to provide proof that you can fulfil the following requirements:
- Have a university degree or a qualification that is of graduate equivalence (the TDA are preferably looking for trainees who have either a 1st class or 2:1 Honours degree, although applicants from graduates with other levels of degree will be considered).
- Have attained the standard in English and Mathematics equivalent to the GCSE Grade C (please see the page on Equivalence Testing if required), and for those wishing to teach in a primary school, you will also need Science
SECONDARY TRAINING:
Training for Secondary Schools is a TDA Priority and our allocation of training places is divided into:
Priority Subjects (which include):
- Mathematics
- Science
- Modern Foreign Languages
- Design Technology
- ICT
- Music
- RE
Other Subjects (which include):
- English
- Drama
- Dance
- History
- Geography
- Art & Design
- PE
- Business Studies
At secondary level a candidate must teach the same subject across at least two Key Stages. Preference will be given to candidates who wish to teach National Curriculum subjects, although subjects such as Law or Psychology will be considered if the candidate and the school can provide convincing evidence that there will be the opportunity to teach such subjects across two Key Stages. In addition for candidates wishing to teach in particular subjects there are specific requirements as follows:
- Science candidates may specialise at Key Stage 4 but MUST teach across all the Science strands in Key Stage 3
- PE candidates must be able to demonstrate that they can teach across all 6 PE strands [please refer to the National Curriculum www.nc.uk.net]
- Design and Technology candidates MUST teach at least two different media from the National Curriculum. It will not be possible to teach only one media e.g. food technology
- EM Direct will only consider candidates who wish to teach one secondary subject. If a candidate has an interest in another subject this can only be considered as an enhancement to training. Secondary trainees will not be allowed to train in two subjects.
PRIMARY TRAINING:
There is no requirement for a primary trainee to specialise in a subject however, OFSTED places great emphasis on the acquisition and use of subject knowledge in English, Maths and Science. Any candidate applying for a place on the programme must be able to demonstrate a secure personal knowledge in these subjects and also have an understanding of the requirements of the National Curriculum [www.nc.uk.net] in these subject areas.
As well have having the required formal qualifications for entry to the scheme you will need to demonstrate a wide range of personal qualities that will support your application.
In addition to meeting the qualification criteria for entry to the scheme, you must find a school that is prepared to offer you a training position. Our GTP Administration Team will be able to offer advice on schools in your area that have previously worked with EM Direct on the GTP. It is your responsibility to find a school so you will need to contact schools directly. You are advised to establish if the school has a successful history in training GTP Trainees.
EM Direct GTP Consortium will not support GTP Training in Special Schools or Independent Schools.
How do we become a GTP training school?
All maintained schools, non-maintained special schools, city technology colleges, city colleges for the technology of the arts and city academies are eligible to participate in employment-based teacher training. However, schools in Special Measures or with Serious Weaknesses will not be eligible to receive funding, and therefore cannot be considered. EM Direct GTP Consortium only works in partnership with maintained, mainstream schools.
To be able to train a teacher under the GTP, the TDA have stated that “Training Schools” should be able to show they can provide a suitable training environment and appropriate support for the trainee. The school should, ideally, have a recent OfSTED report since 2002 showing the school as “outstanding” or “good”.
The school, in partnership with the EM Direct GTP Consortium will be responsible for:
- recruiting and employing the trainee
- providing an extensive range of training and learning opportunities for the trainee to enable them to deliver subject knowledge effectively and to a high standard. This will include observation of role models, weekly tutorials relating to school policies, practice and subject knowledge, regular appraisal, review and discussion, and local teacher networks.
- enabling the trainee to teach their chosen subject and age group to the right level,
- mentoring, monitoring and preparing the trainee for External Assessment for QTS
- accounting to EM Direct and the TDA for funding received.
The quality of training supplied by the school is fundamental. The headteacher and governors must be fully committed to providing a sound, well-organised experience for the trainee.
If a school can meet these criteria, prove to EM Direct that it is committed to providing the required support and their candidate’s application for a training place is successful, EM Direct GTP Consortium will work in partnership with the school to design a training plan, and facilitate the training. This includes:
- in partnership with the ITT Tutor. assessing the teacher’s current standards;
- providing a centre based core training programme;
providing an Entitlement Team of ITT Tutors to visit the school to:
- draw up the Individual Training Plan in partnership with the Mentor and trainee;
- monitor and assess the teacher’s training and progress; and
- preparing the Career Entry and Development Profile ready for External Assessment for QTS.
The school must appoint an experienced Mentor who will oversee the training and a Senior Tutor who will work with the teacher throughout the training period. In a primary school the Mentor may be a Key Stage Co-ordinator; in a secondary school the Mentor MUST be a subject specialist in the trainee’s subject.
At the end of the training period, the TDA require that EM Direct Assess the trainee for QTS. The GTCE awards QTS to those who have completed the training and have satisfied the Assessor that they have reached all the standards required of a newly qualified teacher. These standards are set out in DfES Circular 2/02.
If your school is in one of our Consortium Partner areas and would like to support a GTP candidate’s application, and you require further information regarding the programme including what is required by a training school, you can contact us on 01476 512780 (Option 1), where one of our Professional Staff will be pleased to discuss the requirements and commitment in detail.
How long does the training take?
The length of training depends on each trainee.
Graduates, employed full time, may be recommended for QTS after one year (although this period may be shortened in exceptional circumstances).
Who pays for the training?
The Graduate Teacher Programme is funded by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), and has two elements. A salary grant to help fund the salary of the trainee teacher whilst employed at the school, and a training grant to facilitate the training programme.
From September 2007, the TDA offer:
- Salary Grant funding of up to £14,000 per annum, to maintained schools training high calibre candidates and teachers of priority subjects. This is paid to the school in termly instalments, at the end of each term, by EM Direct.
- A Training Grant of £4,300 is paid to EM Direct to manage and quality assure the training programme.
