How to Become a Primary School Teacher or Teach at Any Level

Who doesn't have a favourite teacher who inspired them to a career in teaching? For anyone asking how to become a teacher, this article explains the necessary education and key stage-specific requirements. Note that this page mainly discusses becoming a teacher in England, as Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have different standards and pathways into teaching.

How to Become a Teacher: Qualifications

At first glance, future teachers only need three qualifications to teach in England: Maths and English GCSEs, a 2:2 university degree, and QTS. However, some grey areas exist, which we detail just below this overview.

GCSE Requirements

It is perhaps redundant to state teaching programmes' requirements for GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/4 or higher. In 2014, the Department for Education (DfE) adopted the government's "The condition of funding requirement" policy. It mandates GCSE resits in those subjects if students don't meet those minimum requirements¹.

Gaining level 2 skills in maths and English helps students realise their potential, and gives them the opportunity to progress in life, learning and work.

From the DfE publication.

So, we may accept as a given that every school leaver in England will meet that benchmark, unless they age out - turn 18 - of the mandate before they can meet that requirement. However, detailing it helps us outline equivalent requirements future teachers might present².

Besides these, a Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) or National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) certificate may suffice. BTEC Level 3 includes English, Maths, and Science, but the NVQ does not. NVQ holders may consider an equivalency exam if their prior experience does not meet teacher training programmes' requirements.

University Requirements

Of course, schoolteachers must have a university education; specifically, a 2:2 degree, at minimum. How they earn theirs is variable.

For future teachers who prefer a teaching apprenticeship, their mentor typically recommends their most beneficial study pathway. For aspiring teachers aiming for primary education careers, their degree may be in any major, preferably a Bachelor in Education, provided they meet the 2:2 benchmark.

Those planning on teaching at the secondary level should have a degree in a specific subject. For instance, if one aims to teach chemistry, their degree should be in chemistry. In all cases - or if you find your knowledge base lacking- you may take subject enhancement courses to improve your chances of placement.

QTS Requirement

QTS is the professional status requirement to teach in state schools in England. One may not have to present their QTS to teach at academies, independent schools, or to teach in further education facilities. Still, institutions prize this certification as proof of qualification for teaching, more so than a PGCE.

A Post-Graduate Education Certificate (PGCE) is an additional qualification teachers in England may earn. However, it is not necessary to lead primary or secondary classrooms in this country. However, should you intend to teach abroad, a PGCE paves your way into that role, as other countries prefer it to QTS.

Get Into Teaching: What Type of Teacher Will You Be?

Long gone are the days when one might declare themselves a teacher and begin lessons with no particular authority or agenda. With today's greater focus on targeted learning, teachers train to deliver specific student outcomes. Thus, the emphasis on the type of teacher you aspire to be.

Primary or Secondary Teacher

These are the teaching categories most people think about when considering a career in education. These types of teachers differ in several crucial aspects.

All of these factors should weigh on your choice of teaching opportunities. They merit careful consideration as you plan your career trajectory.

Further Education Teacher

These teachers work with learners older than 16; they work in colleges, sixth-form schools, and technical-vocational schools. Adult education also falls under this umbrella.

Due to these positions' less academic nature, QTS isn't necessarily required. Conversely, professional or industry experience may boost these future teachers' chances of landing a position.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Teacher

You may find working with students who have special educational needs particularly satisfying. To work with this student group, you should specialise in SEND education as you undergo standard teacher training.

These positions place extra emphasis on safeguarding initiatives and communication skills. SEND teachers tend to be patient and adaptable, as well as confident and knowledgeable.

How to Get Into Teaching: Pathways and Programmes

Teaching is such a socially vital role that our government ensures anyone wishing to fill those roles has a variety of ways to do so. This chart previews the five primary routes³, ahead of explanations below.

Undergraduate Teaching Degrees

This is the ideal path for school leavers or anyone without a university degree. These teaching candidates may choose a degree plan that will secure their place in secondary education; otherwise, primary education is the most common teaching role they take. Their degree plan may include QTS.

Salaried Teacher Training

This category includes teaching apprenticeships, which allow teachers-in-training to earn as they learn their métier. These positions are ideal for people changing careers, as well as school staff who transition into teaching. As these places tend to be highly sought-after, entry requirements may be stricter.

School-Led Teacher Training

As their name implies, this training takes place mainly in schools, albeit with university study. Programmes such as School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) prioritise hands-on teaching experience with one day of academic study per week. Some programmes result in PGCE in addition to QTS.

University-Led Teacher Training

These programmes combine teaching placements with academic study at the postgraduate level. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree and the standard GCSE requirements. They should also have some teaching experience.

Assessment-Only QTS

Unqualified teachers currently leading classes in English schools may pursue this route towards becoming qualified. They must have at least two years of classroom experience across two different schools or five years in the same school.

Furthermore, their teaching experience must cover two key stages: KS1 and KS2, for example. Otherwise, the same requirements apply: they must have their undergraduate degree and GCSEs at C/4 or above.

Step-By-Step: How to Become a Teacher

By now, you should have a basic roadmap to your future in teaching in England: education, applying for teacher training on the Gov.UK website, gaining teaching experience, and QTS. Still, it would be nice to have more exact directions, which this section provides.

Note that gaining classroom experience isn't strictly necessary, but it helps strengthen your application. Also, during your interview, you may express a preference for a particular school to become your home school if you have a facility in mind.

How to Become a Teacher in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Though different, requirements to become a teacher are no less stringent in these countries. In fact, Wales hews most closely to England's teacher certification system⁴, as it too requires QTS. Teaching programme entry requires GCSEs 4/5 or higher in English and Maths, and 4/C for primary school teachers.

Scotland and Northern Ireland teacher training programmes show the most variation from the English teacher training plans.

In Scotland, future teachers may pursue a four-year Bachelor in Education (BEd), following it with a Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) to meet their university education requirements. In Northern Ireland, registering with GTCNI is only mandatory if you plan to teach in grant-aided schools.

How Much Does Teacher Training Cost?

Did we save the best for last? You might think so after reading about all the funding for teacher training. From bursaries and scholarships to loans and salaried positions, teacher trainees have a variety of resources to fund their learning⁵.

Note that bursaries are typically reserved for teachers training in critical subjects, such as Maths, Science, Engineering, and Technology. Also, secondary education trainees are more likely to receive these awards, as the need for these teachers is more urgent.

Besides these basic funding opportunities, future teachers with special conditions may qualify for additional funding. For instance, parents caring for small children, people with adult dependents, and other-abled trainees qualify for extra financial aid.