Initial Teacher Training in England

Guidance for undergraduates or graduates considering teaching as a career.

Teacher training systems change all the time so you need to read the official GetIntoTeaching website.

Train to teach in an Independent school

Independent education is in great demand in this country and from overseas parents. Training in the independent sector gives you immediate experience of outstanding schools.

There are three main types of independent school:

Nursery schools
Prep schools or junior schools for children up to 13
Senior schools

The training will differ depending on the age-range of the pupils you wish to teach. If you wanted to teach pupils under 12 you would normally train to be a Primary teacher. If you are seeking to teach older children you would train to be a Secondary teacher.

To get started look at the different routes into teaching that are available to you, find out how to get a teaching job in an independent school and where your teaching career can take you.

Here are some good reasons why you should choose to teach in the independent sector:

Good discipline and behaviour
Flexibility and freedom
Commitment to nurturing the whole individual
Small class sizes
Excellent pastoral care
Culture of high expectations
Range of extra-curricular activities
Culture of valuing and respecting teachers
Commitment to improving social mobility (about a third of children are on means tested bursaries)
Excellent and varied career opportunities
Excellent training and support
Opportunity to teach your specialist subject to a high level
Strong commitment to continued professional development throughout your career