Ever thought about teaching?

Looking for a career with constant intellectual stimulation, endless variety and a true test of your creative skills?

Whether you are thinking about your future career, graduating, returning to work, considering a career change or just interested to find out more ..... we can get you started

• The challenge
• Access courses
• The undergraduate route
• The graduate route
• More flexible routes
• Employment based routes
• Want to know more?

Anchor Point:challengeThe challenge

Teaching is a challenging and rewarding profession. It demands the highest intellectual, analytical and communication skills. Teachers also need commitment, understanding and the imagination to inspire young minds. If you meet this challenge, no other profession can give you the opportunity to make such a difference to so many young people's lives.

Solihull is extremely proud of the exceptional service our schools provide and our teaching force is central to our aim of raising achievement and preparing children for the challenges of adult life.

To be a teacher in Solihull you will not only have high expectations but also the enthusiasm and commitment to enable the pupils in your care to realise their full potential.

Are you ready for the challenge?

Qualifications

Anyone wishing to teach in schools must have qualified teacher status (QTS).

In order to be accepted onto any course for teaching training (except an Access course), you need to have GCSE Maths and English at grade A-C. If you were born on or after the 1st September 1979 and want to teach in a primary school you will also need GCSE Science at grade A-C.

Equivalent qualifications are acceptable and some teacher training institutions set their own English and Maths tests for people without formal qualifications.

For entry to any degree you normally need at least 2 'A' levels, one of which should be in a National Curriculum subject.

Equivalents to 'A' levels include:

A recognised Access certificate.

BTEC National or GNVQ 3.

Don't Give Up

If you haven't got all the qualifications there are ways to achieve them.

Today there are many routes you can take to become a teacher, no matter what your present qualifications.

Anchor Point:accessAccess Courses

There are a variety of Access courses in Further Education Colleges and Adult Education Colleges. Some courses are specifically for teaching, others can prepare you to gain qualifications to go into Higher Education.

Anchor Point:undergraduateThe Undergraduate Route

This combines your degree studies with Qualified Teacher Status. This normally leads to a Bachelor of Education degree. Some institutions combine a BA or BSc with Qualified Teacher Status. A full time course will last 3 or 4 years, but there are some shortened and part time courses.

Anchor Point:graduateThe Graduate Route

You will normally need a degree, or equivalent, relevant to your main teaching subject. Most courses are for 1-year full time and lead to a Post Graduate Certificate in Education. There are a small number of 2 year courses in shortage secondary subjects. There are also some part time and distance learning courses.

Anchor Point:flexibleMore Flexible Routes

More flexible provision is developing to better meet the needs and circumstances of prospective teachers. From September 2000 you may be able to undertake a new modular postgraduate study that allows you to follow individualised programmes. For example those in employment seeking a career change, those wishing to study part time or those with a family or other commitments. Experience as an unqualified teacher or experience/training overseas could shorten the time taken to qualify.

Anchor Point:employmentEmployment Based Routes

For people at least 24 years old, employment based training in a school is a possibility. You will earn a salary whilst training. The Graduate Teacher Programme is for those with a degree and normally takes a year. If you do not have a degree but do have 2 years higher education, or equivalent, you may be able to train through the Registered Teacher Programme. This takes up to 2 years and you complete your degree whilst training.

If you have experience in Further Education or as a classroom assistant, nursery nurse, language support teacher in a school or experience in any type of education setting or experience of working with young people an employment based route could be for you.

Anchor Point:furtherFurther information: 

• Solihull College Advice centre on 0121 678 7001
• The Teaching Information Line - Tel: 01245 454 454
• Look at the Teacher Training Agency Website: http://www.tda.gov.uk/
• Write to: TTA Communication Centre, P O Box 3210, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3WA.
• To find ITT providers in England contact: TTA Publications, Freepost ANG 2037, Chelsmford, CM1 1ZY. Tel: 0845 606 0323
  Email: publications@ttalit.co.uk
• For application forms and a handbook on postgraduate ITT courses contact: The University and College Admissions Service (UCAS) Tel: 01242 222 444
• For application forms and a handbook on postgraduate ITT courses contact: The Graduate Teacher Training Registry Tel: 01242 223 707
• For a handbook on the Graduated and registered Teacher Programme contact the Teacher Information Line - Tel: 01245 454 454