Trainee Teacher FAQs
Do you provide visa sponsorship?
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship to overseas applicants.
I studied abroad. Am I eligible?
You can find out whether the qualifications you have obtained abroad are suitable for our courses by obtaining an official evaluation from UK ENIC. We ask that all international applicants have their qualifications formally recognised prior to submitting their application.
I cannot find my GCSE certificates. Do you accept equivalency tests?
Yes, we do. You can take an equivalency test through A* Star Equivalency, Birmingham City university online, any UK university, or through TES equivalence tutors. Alternatively, you can re-order replacement certificates direct from the exam board.
What qualifications do you need before applying?
For the ITT Fee-Funded route you will need an undergraduate degree from a UK Higher Education Institution or equivalent and GCSE grades C/4 or equivalent in Maths and English (and Science for Primary).
For the ITT Employment Based and apprenticeship route (PGTA) you will need an undergraduate degree from a UK Higher Education Institution or equivalent and GCSE grades C/4 or equivalent in Maths and English (and Science for Primary), 1-3 three years’ transferable work history and permission to work in the UK.
Note: We accept all classes of degree (1st class honours to 3rd class honours). However, if you receive a 3rd class degree you will not be eligible to apply for a student loan with student finance. We will also seek to understand the circumstances that led to the 3rd class degree as the programme includes academic writing at a postgraduate level.
Can I train to be a teacher in a subject I do not have a degree in?
Yes, it is possible to train to teach a subject you did not study at university. You will need to have studied a closely related subject at degree level and/or have an A Level in the subject and be prepared to undertake a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course.
What are the English requirements for non-native speakers?
In order to succeed on our programmes, trainees must have a strong command of the English language, written and spoken and be clearly understood by a range of different stakeholders. We do not require applicants to submit official proficiency test results as we assess English proficiency through the online application form and assessments during the interview process.
Can I apply for all routes?
Yes, applicants are welcome to apply for more than one route (ITT Fee-Funded, ITT Employment Based and PGTA apprenticeship programmes), but please note that there are different entry requirements for the different routes). We advise you to carefully consider the route that best matches your circumstances. If you apply for ITT Employment Based and are unsuccessful due to insufficient school-based experience, we may offer you a place on the ITT Fee-Funded route.
What does the interview process include?
It will depend on the route that you apply for, but it would normally require you to plan and deliver a 20-minute lesson (details of which will be sent to you prior to your interview). You will then be asked to follow up questions related to this plan by a panel of interviewers to explore your subject and curriculum knowledge and intentions for the lesson. determine your suitability to teach.
The rest of the interview will include questions to elicit your motivations for getting into teaching, suitability and research on the Trust/school you applied to.
What is the deadline for applications?
We recommend that you apply as soon as possible as places fill up quickly, especially if you would like a position on the ITT Employment Based route. There is no strict deadline as but we advise you apply by May 2025 as recruitment closes at the end of July if we have not filled all places before then.
When does the programme start and end?
The ITT programme lasts one academic year, commencing in September and ending in June of the following year.
The Apprenticeship programme is 12-15 months depending on the external provider. The main start date is September, with the possibility of a mid year start date if there is an immediate vacancy.
Where is the programme based?
You will primarily be based at one of our nine Trust schools, with an opportunity to spend six weeks at a contrasting school within the Trust for the second school placement.
Do I have to attend university throughout the course?
No, you will not be required to physically attend university throughout the course. If you are on the School Direct programme your academic studies will be delivered by TES Institute, through their engaging and flexible e-learning platform. You will have the equivalent of one day a week dedicated studying time which is largely conducted online with lots of ‘live’ interactive webinars and face to face sessions facilitated by Habs Institute for Professional Learning.
If you are enrolled on the Apprenticeship programme, you are required to do 20% off the job training ( equivalent to one day a week), more details of what this entails can be found here. It will depend on the provider how this one day a week is conducted although current providers adopt a blended learning approach.
Do I have to do a PGCE?
No, trainees are not obliged to undertake a PGCE and are able to progress through our courses with the aim of obtaining QTS only. You will have an opportunity to express which pathway you wish to pursue at the interview stage.
If you do decide to pursue a PGCE, this costs an additional £625
What does a typical trainee teacher's timetable look like?
Trainee teacher timetables vary depending on the needs of your school, your prior experience and rate of development. Generally speaking, ITT Fee-Funded trainees can expect to spend a greater amount of time observing lessons, with less teaching hours at the start and a slower rate of timetable increases than ITT Employment Based trainees and apprentices.
The table below gives an example of the proportion of time you might spend on different activities as a ITT Employment Based trainee or apprentice, as you can see your independent teaching time increases as the year progresses.
What happens upon successful completion of the programme?
Our programmes have excellent retention rates with the vast majority of our trainees going on to assume permanent ECT roles within our Trust schools. We look to recruit trainees who are keen to go where they will grow and who we can see growing and developing within our Trust.
How do I find out more about the programme?
We run a range of Q&A webinars throughout the year, where the Director of Professional Learning provides an overview of the different pathways, an insight into the Trust and what you can expect from training to teach with us. There is lots of time for Q&A. Please look out for registration links for upcoming dates which will be added to the website.
Alternatively, if after reading these FAQ you still have questions, contact us via email getintoteaching@habstrustsouth.org.uk or call 020 7652 9516 and select option 8 to leave a message. We will happily schedule a quick chat to explore your specific situation
