Routes

At HTTP, we offer ITT fee-funded and ITT employment based routes into teaching

Our ITT fee-funded route is a school-centred initial teacher training route leading to qualified teacher status (QTS). On this route you would be a supernumerary member of staff (will teach with another staff member in the room) and will have a gradual but steady introduction into teaching. This route offers more time for observation of lessons before initial teaching and would suit an applicant straight from university or an applicant changing career, with limited recent school experience.

The ITT employment-based route, also known as the ‘salaried route’, is appropriate for graduates with recent and extensive school experience. For example, many of our salaried trainees have previously been teaching assistants, instructors or cover supervisors in the secondary sector, gaining first-hand experience of working in a school. On this route, there is less observation at the start and trainees are employed by one of our partner schools and are responsible for teaching their own classes from the start of the course in September.

A Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship is also available as an alternative ITT employment based route to gaining QTS and an optional PGCE.

Both the fee-funded and employment based routes lead to PGCE accreditation and require trainees to:

  • Attend weekly CPD training with HTTP
  • Reflect weekly on their professional development
  • Attend school meetings and staff training sessions
  • Meet the expectations of the 2012 Teachers’ Standards

We offer fee-funded and employment based routes in:

  • Art & Design
  • Biology, Chemistry, Physics
  • Business Studies (14-19)
  • Computing
  • DT
  • Drama
  • English
  • Geography
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Modern Languages (French & Spanish)
  • Music
  • PE & PE with EBACC

Entry requirements

To join our ITT course, you must:

  1. Have achieved a standard equivalent to GCSE grade 4/C in English language and mathematics . Candidates with overseas qualifications should provide an ENIC statement to demonstrate the equivalency of their qualification. See the Get into Teaching website for guidance. Applicants who haven’t achieved grade 4/C but are otherwise suitable may be able to take an equivalency test.
  2. Hold a Bachelor’s degree from a UK higher education institution or equivalent qualification. (ENIC statement required for overseas qualifications)
  3. If you have studied English as a foreign language you may be required to provide evidence that you have passed a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at level B2 or above of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) with an approved provider within the last two years.
  4. Possess the appropriate qualities, attitudes and values expected of a teacher. These are skills such as resilience, commitment, adaptability, along with good communication skills.
  5. Show competency in fundamental skills in English and maths before the award of QTS.
  6. Satisfactorily complete all safeguarding checks before the start of training (and such checks must not identify you as being unsuited to working with children).
  7. Meet the Secretary of State’s requirements for health and physical capacity to teach.
  8. Meet the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) financial eligibility criteria in order to be accepted for a publicly funded place on this ITT course.

What we are looking for

You will be a graduate, preferably with a 1st or 2:1 who can demonstrate an aptitude and a passion for teaching. We also consider applicants who have a 2:2, especially in ‘shortage’ subjects. If your degree does not have at least fifty per cent study in your chosen teaching subject, you may still be able to train by taking a subject knowledge enhancement course (SKE)which we would inform you about at interview. These courses are provided online and are free; in addition living expenses may be supported.

You will have an interest in and a passion for your subject. You may well have been employed in a post using and developing your subject knowledge and skill set.

How we select our trainees

All trainees are interviewed by the HTTP Management team to assess suitability for the programme. You will deliver a 10 mins presentation on an aspect of teaching your subject and engage in a professional dialogue with the team.

Those applying for the salaried routes will also teach an observed lesson within a placement school.

You will also successfully complete literacy and numeracy tests.

HTTP will co-ordinate the recruitment process to ensure that dates and times suit our candidates.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for applicants with the right blend of subject expertise and people skills to be able to impact upon the development of our young people. Passion for your subject is not optional.

You will have spent some time in a secondary school observing or possibly in paid employment in a support role. Alternatively, you may have worked with teenagers in a voluntary capacity. We understand that early applicants may still be in the process of finding a school to visit. Look to gain experience in an all-ability state school if at all possible.

For the employment-based (salaried) route, you will have a history of employment by the time you begin the course. This may or may not have been in an educational establishment. However, we would expect potential ITT salaried trainees to have some experience of teaching whole classes in a secondary school.

PGTA – Post Graduate Teaching Apprenticeship. You MUST be employed in a school as an unqualified teacher to access this route.