A guide on choosing your route into teaching
If you are at the beginning of your teaching journey and unsure where to start, our latest guide on choosing your training route has arrived in the nick of time. Our guide breaks down the two main training routes that are available to you, with local providers giving advice on what makes each one unique.
University-based route
With the University of Chichester and University of Portsmouth providing high quality routes into teaching, an undergraduate degree with QTS or post-graduate options are a popular choice.
This route allows people to specialise in a specific subject area and age group. Once enrolled on this route, you will gain practical teaching experience through placements in schools as well as gain theoretical knowledge through study.
A university-based route will suit people who are still unsure about teaching but have an interest in a subject area. You could choose to study a degree in an area of interest. Once you have completed your degree, you could choose to top up with a post-graduate qualification to get qualified teacher status (QTS).
Alternatively, you could choose to obtain a bachelor's degree in education that includes qualified teacher status (QTS). QTS is a requirement for teaching in maintained schools in England and Wales. The degree usually takes three or four years to complete.
Andrew Porter, director of initial teacher training at the University of Portsmouth told us what makes their courses stand out:
The University of Portsmouth has an ambitious training programme, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our partnership, and we aim to develop teachers that will make a real difference to the life chances of young people in Portsmouth and beyond. Expert colleagues, both at the university and in our partnership settings, offer high quality individual support and mentorship to enable our trainees to become confident, successful teachers who excel in their profession.
Andrew Porter, director of initial teacher training at the University of Portsmouth
School based training
SCITT or school-centred initial teacher training is a route that involves training in a school setting. Participants spend the majority of their training time in schools and receive a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) with QTS at the end of the course. SCITT courses usually last for one year.
This route is popular among people as you will gain hands-on experience in a school environment and receive a salary during your training. While not guaranteed, you could also explore the opportunity to gain employment at the school you train at.
This course is taught across three different terms with one placement in a school per term with the remainder of the time taught in workshops.
Emma Cornish, course co-ordinator at Portsmouth Primary SCITT told us what makes their route special:
At Portsmouth Primary SCITT, we deliver bespoke training to take you from novice teacher to effective classroom practitioner, no matter how your journey begins. Choosing a school-based route with us, offers hands-on teaching experience and guidance from dedicated mentors across the the primary phase. All our mentors are selected for their ability to offer the direction and support that you need to make your journey to teaching a success.
Emma Cornish, SCITT Manager
Start your training journey
If you want to find out more about teacher training, use our route finder tool to discover your options in Portsmouth.
Callum Murphy