Teacher recruitment

If you are looking for a career in education there are a number of routes that you can take. A few are listed below and further information is available from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (formally the Teacher Training Agency).

Undergraduate and postgraduate teacher training

All candidates for teacher training need English and Maths GCSE grade C or equivalent. Candidates who are interested in primary teaching who were born after 31 August 1979 will also need the same grade in Science.

Traditionally, those wishing to enter teaching complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) or an undergraduate degree that specialises in teaching. Depending on the specialism, both of these qualifications are awarded with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). 

The SCITT is a route into teaching which awards a PGCE with a high emphasis placed on practical work in the school environment. Wandsworth has its own primary SCITT which is run by Wandsworth Primary Schools Consortium. The PGCE that is offered is validated by Kingston University. It has been running since 1996 and has twice come third in national league tables for excellence in teacher training.

Employment-based teacher training

The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is an on-the-job training programme that allows graduates to qualify as a teacher while they work. We work in collaboration with Southfields Community College Training School and the West London Graduate Teacher Partnership (GTP/OTT) who is our Accredited Recommending Body. 

As this is the only employment based route into teaching in this area, the demand for places is extremely high, especially within our primary schools and therefore only exceptional candidates will be considered. 

Candidates must ensure that they have the following:

• A UK bachelors degree or equivalent*
• English and Maths GCSE grade C or equivalent. Candidates who are interested in primary teaching who were born after 31 August 1979 will also need the same grade in Science.
• At least four weeks of school based experience gained at the time of application.
• A school who is prepared to support you through the programme.

*candidates who hold a non teaching degree and other relevant qualifications from outside the UK must have them verified by UK NARIC before they can be considered for the GTP.

The programme normally takes three terms (one academic year) and QTS is awarded to participants who can demonstrate that they meet all the professional standards and requirements for initial teacher training.

Please refer to the West London Partnership website for further details.

Overseas trained teachers

As of September 2009 all Overseas Trained Teachers (OTTs) and Instructors need to be provisionally registered with the General Teaching Council (GTC).

OTTs trained outside the European Economic Area can work for up to four years in England, as an unqualified teacher, without needing to gain QTS. After that time they must have QTS in order to continue teaching. If you are an OTT working in Wandsworth, who is approaching the end of this four year period, you should apply to the West London Partnership Overseas Trained Teacher Programme.  All applicants must apply at the start of their final year and must have applied by the term before their final term for a funded programme.

Please refer to the West London Partnership website for further details.

Routes for support staff

There are no specific qualifications that are required for becoming a member of school support staff. However, this area is continually growing in status and further education institutions now run a number of courses to assist you in gaining the skills to enter the profession. Our schools are also beginning to demand the skills and knowledge that these courses provide. Not all positions in Wandsworth schools require these new qualifications, but some schools will often require previous experience and all will ask that candidates possess a good level of literacy and numeracy. The Training and Development Agency for Schools provides further information on the qualifications that are available.