Teaching as a Career

Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

This route is available to those who are already qualified to degree level.  You will gain teaching experience and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS.)  During this course you will experience teaching in two different schools and cover a wide range of teaching skills, techniques and knowledge of curriculums through both practical experience and in study.  This is good preparation for gaining a teaching post and further developing your skills and knowledge in the profession.  You will be supported by experienced colleagues both in schools and university.

At Slough and Eton we currently work with a number of universities providing school experience for trainees, including UCL Institute of Education, University of Reading, Brunel University and St Mary’s University.

Further information on training is available at:

https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/ Teacher Training Options or any of the above universities.

Schools Direct

This method of training involves being recruited by a school who has a specific role for you.  It is designed and run by a group of schools in conjunction with a university or school centred initial teacher training provider (SCITT.) This leads to QTS and most also award a PGCE or master’s credits.  This route usually takes a year.  You will teach in two schools with strong support to enable you to teach classes and learn at the same time.  There will be a programme of training for pedagogy and practice to support your practical work in the classroom.

If you have been working for three or more years then School Direct (Salaried) is an option.

(Alternatively Teach First provide paid teacher training.)

For the purposes of teacher training Slough and Eton is an associate of The Wokingham Federation: www.wokinghamfederation.co.uk 

Assessment Only (AO)

To gain QTS through this route you must have taught for two years in two different schools full time.  In order to pursue this you must be employed in and supported by a school, be teaching two Key Stages and have minimum qualifications of a degree and grade C or equivalent in Maths and English.  You will be supported by the appropriate colleagues in your school; have a programme of training in practice and pedagogy, and be assessed by a training provider.  At Slough and Eton this is The University of Reading.

https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/ Teacher Training Options or www.reading.ac.uk, select Institute of Education.