Nobody knows teaching like we do
Teaching. It’s a career like no other. Where no two days are the same, and neither are the pupils. That’s what makes it so rewarding.
Who we are
Whether you’re just thinking about teaching or you’re ready to apply, Get Into Teaching is here to help. We offer free advice and support – tailored to you. We can answer any questions you have and guide you through the steps involved in becoming a teacher.
Why come to us
Nobody knows teaching like we do. Talk to us and we can help make teaching a reality for you. We’ll help you figure out whether it’s right for you and what your future could look like as a teacher. All for free. If you’re thinking about getting into teaching, we’re the service to show you how.
Is teaching
Okay - so you’ve been in the classroom as a student. But we want to give you the insider view of what it’s really like to be on the other side of the desk. What are the best bits? The challenges? Some of the surprising things about teaching that you might not know? Keep reading to find out more.
What teaching could teach you
Grow as only a teacher can
Teacher pay
With a starting salary of *£31,650, teaching has never been more rewarding.
A typical teacher could earn at least £43,607 (or more in London) within 5 years.
Additional payments
You may also receive additional payments on top of your regular salary for taking on extra responsibilities. Depending on your responsibilities, you could earn up to an extra £16,553. Your school will determine how much you receive.
*£36,413 outer London, £38,766 inner London.
Visit the website to learn more about teacher pay. Find out more
Some schools also have a leading practitioner pay range for teachers with exemplary teaching skills who lead the improvement of teaching in their school.
This could include:
• coaching and mentoring other teachers
• supporting your school with plans to reduce workload
• undertaking a national professional qualification (NPQ)
A headteacher’s role is wide ranging, but includes leading and motivating teachers, and ensuring all pupils get a good education.
Figures apply from 1 September 2024. The new pay award for 2024/25 is subject to a statutory consultation period and your school can choose how to implement it.
Other benefits
More time to do what you love
You’ll get more days holiday than people in many other professions. In school, full-time teachers work 195 days per year.
For comparison, you’d work 227 days per year (on average) if you worked full time in an office.
Securing your future
The teachers’ pension scheme is one of the most generous in the country and includes an employer contribution of 28.6%.
You also get other insurance benefits too.
Find out more about the teachers’ pension scheme.
Find out more about the teachers’ pension scheme
Career progression
Although you will start in the classroom, there are many different routes you can take that work for your interests and ambitions, such as head of department, head of key stage, and roles with children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Paid teaching internships
Still not sure if teaching is right for you?
A paid teaching internship could help you to understand what it’s really like in the classroom. You can apply if you’re currently studying for an undergraduate or master’s degree and are interested in teaching:
• chemistry
• computing
• languages
• maths
• physics
You’ll get to experience a range of activities to help you get a feel for school life.
Find an internship near you
Do a teaching internship this summer and get paid at least £425 per week.
How to become a teacher
Check your qualifications Understand funding Consider getting experience Find a teacher training course
To train to teach, you’ll need to have GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths (and science if you want to teach primary). You also need a degree (or equivalent) or be in your final year of study to apply for teacher training.
Find out more about the qualifications you need
Undergraduate and postgraduate teacher training course fees are around £9,250 per year.
You can apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans, even if you already have a student loan.
Experiencing life in a school can help you decide if teaching is right for you and who you want to teach. This is a good way to give you a taste of what the classroom is really like.
Through teacher training, you can get qualified teacher status (QTS), a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE), or both.
You need QTS to teach in most primary and secondary schools in England.
Find out more on page 8
Learn more about getting classroom experience
Choose your teacher training course
Worried you don’t know enough about your chosen subject?
You may be able to do a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course before you start your teacher training to top up your subject knowledge. SKE courses are currently available in 5 secondary subjects:
• chemistry
• computing
• languages
• maths
• physics
Apply for teacher training
You can usually start applying for postgraduate training in October, the calendar year before your course starts. You can apply throughout the year, but some courses do fill up quickly.
Start your teacher training
All postgraduate training involves classroom placements in at least 2 schools.
Full-time courses take 9 months to complete and part-time courses take 18 to 24 months.
Apply for a teaching role
Some teacher training providers recommend you start thinking about job applications quite early in your teacher training year.
Schools start to advertise their vacancies from January.
Find out more
Start your career
Once you’ve started your first teaching job, you’ll be an early career teacher for 2 years. You’ll receive a package of support and training, as well as a designated mentor.
Apply for postgraduate teacher training
Find out more about postgraduate teacher training
Get help applying for teaching jobs
Find out more about support for early career teachers
There are three types of funding available for teacher training. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to recieve all three:
• tax-free bursary or scholarship (see table)
• tuition fee loan and maintenance loan
• extra financial support if you’re a parent, have an adult dependant or a disability
Find out more about funding
International students
If you’re considering teaching as a career, why not complete your training and start your career in England?
You’ll get the chance to train at a world class institution where creativity and innovation is valued, gaining lots of classroom experience along the way.
When you train to teach in England, you can:
• gain a PGCE + QTS, a professional teaching qualification valued globally
• access future job opportunities teaching in England – particularly maths, physics, computing and modern foreign languages
• get support and mentoring at the start of your career
Financial support if you train to teach physics or languages.
If you apply to train to teach physics or languages, you could be eligible for a bursary or scholarship worth up to £30,000 – even if you cannot get other types of financial support.
Find out more
Next steps
Attend a Get Into Teaching event
Get tailored guidance in your inbox.
You’ll get everything you need to know to start a career in teaching sent straight into your inbox. Tailored to your own situation, you get all the latest information as well as advice and support. Sign up now
Events are a great place to ask questions.
You can get advice on training to teach, talk to teachers about what life is like in the classroom, meet training course providers and connect with people like you considering a career in teaching.
Find an event
Talk to an adviser
Get one-to-one support from a teacher training adviser. Our expert advisers are all former teachers who’ve been there and know what it’s like. You’ll be matched to your own dedicated adviser who can offer practical advice as well as reassurance about any concerns you have. They can explain how to fund your training and help with your application, if you choose to apply.
They can also support you with:
• writing your personal statement
• understanding your different training options
• preparing for interviews
You can talk to your adviser as much or as little as you like, by phone, email, text or WhatsApp. It’s up to you.
Get an adviser
Talk to an adviser
