The graduate teacher programme (GTP) is a programme of employment based training which allows graduates to qualify as a teacher while they work. In order to train under the GTP you must either gain a place with a GTP provider or find a job in a school which is willing to support you through the training process. Throughout the programme you will be employed as an unqualified teacher. General details of the scheme can be found on the Training and Development Agency’s website www.tda.gov.uk.
Where can I do the GTP?
You can complete the GTP in any English or Welsh maintained school, as long as they are prepared to employ you as an unqualified teacher for the duration of the programme. Pupil referral units cannot employ GTP trainees, or have any involvement with the training.
What qualifications do I need?
You need qualifications at least equivalent to a UK bachelors degree and GCSE grade C or above in mathematics and English. If you intend to teach primary or key stage 2/3 (ages 7-14), you must also have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in a GCSE science subject.
Will all degrees be relevant?
If you want to teach at secondary level, your degree should be relevant to the subject you want to teach. If it’s not relevant, you can take some additional training in your chosen subject.
If you want to teach at primary level, a training provider will consider how relevant your degree is.
Are there any other requirements?
- You must never have been excluded from working with children and young people
- You must have had no previous failure of, or withdrawal from, a QTS course
The school will pay you on an unqualified teacher’s salary. The TDA may pay the school up to £14,000 to help meet your employment costs as well as a training grant of up to £4,920 depending on the teaching subject and length of programme.
If the school doesn't receive this funding, there is also a self-funded option available, by which the school will meet the costs of the GTP. To find out whether this option is available to you, you will need to enquire at your local GTP provider, known as an employment-based initial teacher training (EBITT) provider.
How do I apply?
If you cannot find an advertisement for the GTP to respond to, you should apply for a place through your local EBITT provider.
Some EBITT providers can help you find a post in a school – otherwise you can look for vacancies in the local and national press, as well as on local authority and recruitment websites.
Bear in mind that competition for funded places on the GTP is strong and any application you make is not guaranteed to be successful.
Are there any EBITT providers local to West Sussex?
Click on the links below for details of local EBITT providers
University of Chichester
- It provides places for both Primary and Secondary age ranges
- It has 3 start dates: September, January and April
- The programme takes one year to complete
- The course is entirely school based
- Candidates are guided and supported by a subject mentor and other school based colleagues
- A university link tutor visits the candidate 3 times each term
University of Brighton
- It provides places for both Primary and Secondary age ranges. Unless there are very exceptional circumstances, the university will normally work only with schools already in its Partnership
- It has one start date: September
- Trainees will normally attend the university, often in cohorts with Primary or Secondary PGCE trainees, for taught modules
- A university link tutor visits the candidate 5 times throughout the course
- Candidates can apply without first finding a school placement but any offer will be conditional on a place being found
University of Sussex
- It provides places for both Primary and Secondary age ranges
- It has one start date: September however if there are unallocated places it may be possible to start in January or April
- Trainees attend a weekly taught course at the University, focusing on specialist subjects for secondary trainees and core and foundation subjects for primary trainees
- University tutors visit candidates once per term
- The University of Sussex can only accept applications from candidates who have found a school willing to offer them a
training place. They give advice about approaching appropriate schools.
University of Southampton
- Supports the training of between 40 and 50 GTP teachers each year. The majority of places for priority subjects of maths, science, ICT, music, RS and MFL but small quota of places for primary and the non-priority subjects of PE and English.
- Supports a number of teachers who are working in the independent sector on a self-funded basis.
- It has one start date: September
- Can only accept applications from candidates who have found a school willing to offer them a training place
Where are other EBITT providers in the South East?
Click here for a full list of EBITT providers in the South East
What are my next steps?
- You can get more information on the Graduate Teacher Programme by e-mailing grtp@tdainfo.co.uk. You can also call the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991
- If you are not already working in a school, it would be advantageous to undertake a period of observation in at least 2 schools. This would help to develop your understanding of current educational issues. Schools considering employing a GTP trainee will look for this understanding, along with the ability to interact with children and young people.
- If you do not have significant experience in working with children or young people, you may possibly have difficulty in finding a school. You could consider taking a post as a teaching assistant in a school, or working as a volunteer helper and then making your application at a later date.
- You may also like to consider applying for a full, part-time or flexible PGCE course. For details, ring the TDA Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991.