Some 30,000 potential teachers enrol for postgraduate training each year, making it the most popular single destination for graduates. Teacher training is not an easy ride however, and before you sign up, you should find out what you are letting yourself in for. What should I expect from a PGCE?The postgraduate course itself is a combination of lectures and tutorials with blocks of experience in schools. It is far more intense than most undergraduate courses. In England, trainees must, as well as passing the course assessments, complete a skills test in numeracy, literacy and ICT. When the course has been successfully completed, the newly qualified teacher (or NQT) is ready to apply for a teaching job, on probation for the first year. At primary level there can be a fair amount of competition for jobs. In Scotland a job for the probationary year is guaranteed. The pay scale in England and Wales (and Scotland is similar) starts at £20,133 (£24,168 in Inner London) and increases each year to £29,427 after five years. The scale for good, experienced teachers rises from £31,878 (£37,808 in Inner London) to the summit of the profession in a headship and pay sometimes above £90,000. Good money is needed to make the best use of all those holidays. How do I apply?Apart from those doing teaching degrees, further time is needed in higher education – usually the Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) or the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), as it is known in Scotland. In England and Wales funding and support for trainee teachers can range from a DfES grant of up to £2,700 per year, to training bursaries of up to £9,000. Institutions can also charge tuition fees of up to £3,000 which will be added to student loans and repaid when earnings rise above £15,000. There are ‘golden hellos’ in the shortage subjects of English, mathematics, modern languages, design and technology, information and communications and science, music and religious education. In Scotland support is mainly through the continuation of student loans. Scottish trainees pay fees of around £1,700 unless they are pursuing subjects on a Scottish list of shortage subjects. Northern Ireland has its own arrangements for support. Rising numbers of applicants allow some courses, especially for primary level, to be highly selective. Along with a basic degree, admissions tutors will be looking for a commitment to a teaching career and some experience working with children. Anyone thinking of applying should make it a priority to get inside a school to sit in on lessons, talk to teachers and, preferably, become a regular volunteer. In England and Wales the Teaching Information Line 0845 6000 991 can help, for example, with taster courses. Other helpful experience with children could include play schemes, youth clubs and sports activities. Qualification checkThe relationship of a degree to a national curriculum subject can be an issue for graduates wanting to train as a teacher. In some cases, conversion study may be necessary, offered in specific two-year PGCE courses. In England some short courses are available to upgrade existing knowledge. As well as a relevant degree, potential trainees in England and Wales need to have a GCSE pass (A-C) in maths and English if secondary teaching is their goal, and science in addition if they are aiming for primary. In Scotland the requirements are slightly different. Satisfactory health and criminal record checks are another stipulation. The Graduate Teacher Training Registry is the clearing house for applications, in which up to four courses can be chosen. Its website contains a complete list of courses and paper and online application forms. Further information:
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