High-achieving recent graduates can choose the salary-based School Direct (salaried) path into teaching. There are no tuition costs involved as you work toward your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) certification and earn a wage. Both elementary and secondary education are covered by this option, which is managed independently or by a network of schools. They collaborate with a group of colleges and schools to form the School-Centered Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) consortium, which grants certification to qualified candidates.
What is school direct?
When a student enrolls in a School Direct (salaried) training program, they are hired as an unqualified teacher and given the opportunity to learn while working. This might be a previously attended institution, or one with which the student is already familiar.
However, not all School Direct programs result in a PGCE certificate, even though most do. Whether earning master’s degree credits is a priority for you, it is a good idea to double-check with the training provider you’re considering before applying to see if they charge extra for this option.
One of the references you provide for consideration to the School Direct (salaried) training program must be from a current or former employer. If you’re self-employed and don’t have an employer reference ready, find another professional acquaintance who is familiar with your job and can attest to your qualifications as a teacher.
If you’re interested in a part-time placement and want to be considered by a school, you should contact the school directly. Some schools are now providing reduced-hours or shortened versions of their full-time School Direct (salaried) programs this academic year.
It is possible to apply to a School Direct (salaried) program even if your degree is unrelated to the topic you wish to teach by attending a subject knowledge improvement (SKE) course. However, this course might be quite challenging. You will have a lot of assignments, so you may turn to a custom essays service to get help. Expert writers working at such services can provide you numerous insights. Before beginning your first teaching position, your selected employer may need you to complete an SKE course as a condition of employment.
Schools Direct entry requirements
To be considered for School Direct (paid) programs, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must possess a Bachelor’s degree from a university in the UK or an internationally recognized equivalent.
- You need to have passed the English and math sections of the GCSEs with a grade of C or above.
- If you want to become a teacher for kids aged 3 to 11 (primary and early years), you need to have at least a C+ in science at the GCSE level.
Certain eligibility requirements may also be imposed by individual training providers. Before committing to a course, make sure you go over the course description to see if it fits your interests and background knowledge. Due to the nature of the job, which requires daily interaction with students, there are additional standards that must be met in addition to academic competence.
Costs and financing
Paying for education is not necessary if you enroll in a School Direct (salaried) program. Rather than finding work through an agency, you will be hired directly by a school as an uncertified educator. The salary you receive as a teacher will be determined by both the school you work for and the discipline you cover.
What to expect during your first year of teaching
A crucial part of the School Direct program is the student teaching experience. They are thoughtfully created to guide you from student to instructor over the course of the year. This is how the process goes:
- Class observation. To begin, you observe courses in which you will eventually participate so that you may become familiar with the students and observe the class dynamic.
- Teacher observation. You observe seasoned educators to learn from their strategies for dealing with students’ behaviors, questions, lessons, tests, and TAs.
- Pupil pursuit. You get to spend a day in the shoes of a student and witness firsthand how they interact with their several instructors.
Final thoughts
One can train for Qualified Teacher Status through School Direct and receive a salary at the same time as they get practical experience in the classroom (QTS). Graduates of high quality programs who have at least three years of relevant job experience can choose this path through employment. Although a PGCE is included in the majority of School Direct programs, it is not required. Talk to your prospective training center whether getting a PGCE is crucial to you. The school will pay for your training and provide the salary of an uncertified teacher, but you may have to pay for your PGCE if you are granted it.
Jack Griffiths
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