Do You Need a PGCE to Teach?
Most people believe that the only way of getting into the teaching profession is through a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) which is not fully true. The PGCE is a popular route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in the UK. It is QTS and not the PGCE that is the essential requirement to teach in state schools. This means teaching without a PGCE is absolutely possible through alternative training pathways.
The question “Do I need a PGCE to teach?” is common among career changers and graduates seeking the education profession. PGCE offers good academic knowledge and school experience, yet lots of people choose practise based ones that enable them to work and train simultaneously. This need is now recognised by schools and training providers and they offer various structured pathways leading to QTS without the need to undertake a PGCE.
Understanding PGCE and QTS
You should know the difference between PGCE and QTS to know whether you can teach without a PGCE. PGCE is an educational degree that offers theoretical knowledge of teaching, learning, and pedagogy. It also involves classroom placements but a PGCE does not make you eligible to teach in state schools. The main requirement of employers is QTS that confirms that you are in compliance with the national standards of teaching.
The Department for Education issues QTS as soon as you complete an accredited teacher training programme. This qualification is a confirmation of your professional competence and the fact that you are ready to teach in England’s schools. So, PGCE is indeed a plus and widely recognised, but it is not the only way into teaching. You can obtain QTS without PGCE through a number of alternative routes provided by training organisations, which focus on flexible education and training programmes.
How to Get into Teaching without a PGCE
In case you are thinking of getting into teaching without a PGCE, there are a number of practical, accessible and well-guided pathways. Most of them enable the trainees to start working in a school immediately and get real experience during the course of their training. It is ideal for professionals who like to learn by doing rather than academic study.
It is common to teach without a PGCE in cases where one has experience in the industry, like where one wants to teach vocational subjects, apprenticeship programmes, or further education courses. Practical knowledge is highly appreciated in schools and colleges, and there are many routes through which you can get a direct teaching experience in the classroom while working towards QTS or an equivalent teaching qualification.
Routes to QTS without a PGCE
Emerging teachers can acquire the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) without having a PGCE by several alternative routes. These options are designed to recognise practical experience, work-based learning, and on-the-job training as legitimate means of entering into the teaching profession.
Assessment-Only Route (AO)
Assessment only route allows unqualified teachers to acquire QTS by proving their current competencies. Candidates are not taken through a complete training programme but are tested in a school setting. This suits individuals who have been teaching for at least two years, although they do not have a formal QTS. It is effective, very practical and accepted in all state schools.
School Direct (Salaried Route)
The salaried route enables trainees to work as unqualified teachers while receiving training and mentorship. It provides practical classroom training and in many cases it leads to a direct path to QTS. The attractiveness of this route is that it allows individuals (who are not in a position to put in full-time) to pursue the course.
Teach First Programme
Teach first caters to high achieving graduates interested in training in challenging schools. It is a combination of employment, mentoring, and training. It is a challenging path to qualified teaching, yet one of the quickest growing.
Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship
It is a work-based apprenticeship that gives trainees an opportunity to study and earn a salary. It is appropriate for individuals who like systematic training with monetary aid and results in QTS at the end of the training.
Alternative Teacher Training Options
There are also other teaching routes that do not result in QTS but still enable one to teach in specific settings. These are the best options for individuals who wish to teach in higher education, adult learning, or vocational settings. Some of the most popular substitutes are as follows:
Level 3 Award in Education and Training
This is an entry level qualification to the teaching profession.
Enrol NowLevel 4 Certificate in Education and Training
A higher qualification that encompasses professional development and practical teaching experience.
Enrol NowLevel 5 Diploma in Education and Training
This diploma is commonly applied for people who seek to work as teachers in colleges, training centres, or even in private institutions.
Enrol NowThese qualifications are provided by The Education School, prepares future educators with all the necessary skills in teaching, although they may not result in immediate QTS. They can be utilised particularly in the setting of adult education, individual tutoring, community learning and in vocational training.
Choosing the Right Path into Teaching
The decision on the most appropriate route is based on your career aspirations, your teaching environment preferences, your educational background and the level of commitment you are able to make. Others might want to have the employment-based training where they can earn as they learn or may want to have the flexible academic programmes such as Education and Training qualifications.
The age group or sector that you are targeting to teach should also be taken into consideration. To take an example, QTS will be required for those who intend to teach in a primary or secondary school, but not for those who intend to teach adults or vocational skills. Knowing your long-term objectives, lifestyle and experience is one way of making an informed decision.
Furthermore, talking to the training providers, researching the needs of the programmes and consulting with qualified teachers may assist in defining which path would most suit your goals. Schools such as The Education School provide advice and organised opportunities to assist future teachers to enter their teaching profession easily with or without a PGCE.
