TRAIN WITH US
We support any of the varied routes into teaching and welcome applications and enquiries from many backgrounds and levels of experience.
If you do not hold Qualified Teacher Status, there are three main routes into teaching:
- Study for a post graduate certificate in education (PGCE)
- Complete a Learning and Skills Teacher apprenticeship
- Pass an assessment-only programme
Post graduate options
There are three ways to add a teaching qualification to your degree to become an Early Careers Teacher.
The first way is by studying for a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE). This is a one year course in which you learn how to teach your preferred key stage (children’s education is broken into five key stages from infant to sixth form) and complete placements in schools. For example, Theale Green School is part of the Two Counties Partnership, where PGCE students gain their qualification from the University of Reading, and are guaranteed a placement at Theale Green, and at one other school in the partnership. For more information, click here.
The second is by completing a Learning and Skills Teacher apprenticeship. This is a part time two year course where you work in school for four days per week, and study on the fifth day. At Theale, we work in partnership with Reading College on this course.
The third is the assessment-only option. If you have been working as an unqualified teacher for two years or more, you can choose to be assessed by our partners, for example Theale work with the University of Reading, to gain your Qualified Teacher Status. At the beginning of this programme, you will be assessed by a University of Reading assessor, who will complete an Assessment Only (AO) plan with you which will detail your personalised journey to QTS. If you are interested in finding out more, please read the University of Reading’s brochure here.
Early Careers Teaching support
No matter how you become a teacher, you will be an Early Career Teacher for your first two years after qualifying. During this time, additional support is given to help you build the knowledge and skills to feel confident in your classroom. Read more about the ECT framework here.
Our schools have support programmes for our ECTs. For example, Theale Green works with the Teaching School Hub in Berkshire to support teachers during this period, which includes a trained mentor and the UCL Extend Monitoring programme. Read more about the TSH programme on their website here
Want to know more?
If you’re interested in a highly rewarding career in a values-led organisation on a mission to Transform Lives Through Learning, contact our HR team by clicking below