What Qualifications Do You Need To Be a Teacher?

Working towards teacher training as an adult involves a fairly clear set of requirements, but it can still feel like a lot to piece together, particularly if maths has not always been your strongest subject. Setting this out step by step makes the process considerably more manageable.

Step 1: Get Informed

The first step is establishing exactly what your intended teacher training route requires. This includes confirming your degree subject eligibility, the GCSE grades needed in English and maths, and science too if primary teaching is the goal. It is advisable to confirm these details directly with your chosen university or training provider.

Step 2: Address Any Missing GCSEs

If GCSE maths or English is not currently at the required grade, there is a flexible Online GCSE course designed to help you reach the standard needed, or a GCSE equivalency test if you would prefer a quicker alternative to resitting.

At York Maths Tutor, we understand how important a confident grasp of maths is for anyone approaching teacher training, particularly once the professional skills stage comes into view later in the process.

Step 3: Consider an Access to HE Diploma

If A-levels are the gap in your qualifications, an access to higher education diploma for teaching route is well worth considering. It is assessed entirely through coursework and written assignments, with no exams to sit, and can typically be completed in around six months. Many providers refer to this as a diploma for teaching qualification, and it is generally accepted as equivalent to A-levels for entry onto education degrees.

Step 4: Seek Appropriate Support

Studying independently alongside other commitments is considerably more manageable with the right support in place. Exploring structured adult learning courses can provide the guidance needed to keep progress steady, particularly for subjects that require regular, focused practice.

Step 5: Confirm Subject-Specific Requirements

If you already know which subject you intend to teach, it is worth confirming the specific A Levels required for teaching for that subject, as requirements can differ between institutions.

Step 6: Submit Your Application

Once your qualifications are confirmed, the final step is submitting your application for Initial Teacher Training. The teaching gov.uk page provides a comprehensive overview of the available training routes and funding. It is also worth reviewing the current qualifications needed to become a teacher guidance directly, as requirements are reviewed periodically.

Final Thoughts

The key steps to remember are establishing exactly what your chosen course requires, addressing any gaps in good time, and making use of the support available. Approached methodically, this is a genuinely achievable path, whatever your starting point with maths.