East Sussex Local Authority runs a Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) which is a post-graduate employment-based route into primary school teaching, leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
An Ofsted inspection in June 2010 awarded East Sussex Primary GTP grade 1 (outstanding) in all categories.
Entry requirements
You will need:
- GCSE grade C or equivalent in English (Language)*, mathematics and science
- a UK bachelor's degree, minimum grade 2:2 or equivalent
- to have never been excluded from working with children.
If you obtained your degree overseas, you can find out if it is an equivalent qualification by contacting the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) .
*Applicants may apply with English (Speaking and Listening) together with English Literature, both at grade C or above.
At interview, applicants will complete a maths and English test.
Other requirements
You must also:
- have worked with children in a UK state primary school (for example as classroom assistant or voluntary helper). To work in a school, you will need to have an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
- have some prior experience, knowledge and understanding of primary core and foundation subjects
- be able to use your initiative
- be committed to your personal development
- be eligible to live and work in the UK.
School experience before applying
One of the application requirements is that you gain experience in a maintained UK primary school. This will prepare you better for application and training and will also help you decide whether teaching is the right career choice for you.
The experience can be paid or voluntary, for whole or part days and in one or more schools. The amount of time you need to spend in school will vary as everyone learns differently from their experience.
To get the most from your experience, you should:
- observe teachers teaching, if possible in more than one class
- under the direction of the teacher, work with groups and individual children
- ask the teacher if you can work with pupils with learning difficulties and/or disabilities
- talk to a teacher about assessment
- get involved in other school activities.
What you will do during the year
Your training year includes:
- working alongside experienced members of staff, gradually taking on more teaching responsibility as your level of competence and confidence increases
- attending weekly lectures at our training venues and partnership schools in the county
- spending time in another class to gain experience of a different age group
- a six to eight week placement in a second school.
How you gain your qualification
Successful completion of the programme is through continuous assessment of:
- regular teaching observations
- written course assignments
- individual and group presentations
- files of evidence which you build up throughout the year
- a final assessment visit at the end of the year.
You will also need to pass the national skills tests in numeracy, literacy and ICT before being awarded qualified teacher status (QTS).
How the training is funded
The school and the training provider receive grants towards your salary and training costs, so you don't have to pay for the training yourself.
During your training year, you are employed as an unqualified teacher, paid on the unqualified teachers' pay scale (£16,067 per annum). Please note that salary and grant funding for schools for 2013/14 will be subject to Teaching Agency funding levels.
How to apply
To apply for a place on the programme, you will need to:
- register your application online on the Teaching Agency website: How to apply for the GTP
- complete an East Sussex Primary GTP application form (please contact us using the details below).
Training places are subject to the level of grant funding being approved.
Contact us
To request an application pack or find out more about the programme, please contact us as below:
Email: recruitment.gtp@eastsussex.gov.uk
Phone: 01273 481408
East Sussex County Council