The main routes into primary teaching are:

If you already have or are studying for a degree you need to achieve QTS (Qualified Teacher Status through a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) or through a Teach First or salaried School Direct route. This can also be known as SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training).

A PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate of Education) is usually taken at a University or College and you gain the QTS alongside the PGCE qualification. This takes a year and for part of this time you are based in at least two different schools on placements, with at least two different Key Stages.

A PGCE School Direct Salaried or Tuition Fee route means you are based in a school who either sends you to a local University for the theory sessions or teaches these themselves. You would work in one main school but do at least one placement in another school with a different Key Stage.

If you do not have a degree then you can take a Bachelor of Art, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Education in Primary Education with QTS. These undergraduate degree courses take 3 or 4 years full time and are more usually offered by universities.

If you wish to change career then it will depend on whether or not you already have a degree and you would follow one of the routes mentioned above.

If you already have lots of classroom experience in at least two schools, then it may be possible for you to take an Assessment Only course. This requires you to do an assessed placement of around 8-10 weeks. This is assessed by a provider but generally you are expected to organise the placement yourself. You would also need to have a degree but this would enable you to gain the QTS.

What is an Undergraduate degree?

An undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Education) is usually undertaken at a university or other Higher Education Institute (HEI). You can study a single subject or choose a degree that prepares you for a specific career such as teaching.

If you are sure you want to be a teacher and do not have already have a degree, then this could be the most suitable route for you. Look for a degree that includes Qualified Teacher Status. These degrees include 120 days of placements as well as degree level study so although they are hard work and usually take up more of the year, you gain the degree and QTS slightly quicker. If you are interested in history then you could look to see if the degree includes a specialism in history. Other subjects or areas of teaching, for example, Inclusion, SEND or Early Years, may also be offered as specialisms. Some courses do not offer specialisms so look at what will be included carefully.

If you are not absolutely sure you want to be a teacher and for example love history, then choose to do a degree in history and then you can opt for a PGCE following this. This gives you more flexibility to change your mind about teaching and go into a different career. An undergraduate degree takes 3 or 4 years full time to complete.