| answer text |
<p>The department is committed to supporting teaching assistants to become qualified
teachers, including through providing accessible routes into the teaching profession.</p><p>Teaching
assistants that have a degree can choose from various routes, including the School
Direct (tuition fees) placement or School Direct (salaried places). Both routes carry
the award of qualified teacher status (QTS) and some may lead to the award of a postgraduate
certificate in education (PGCE).</p><p>An alternative route into teaching is through
an apprenticeship.</p><p>Currently, schools have access to a range of apprenticeship
standards, including the level three teaching assistant apprenticeship and level six
postgraduate teacher apprenticeship (PGTA). The level six PGTA is only available to
those with a degree. The department is working with all interested parties to improve
the PGTA for providers, employers, and candidates as part of its scheduled review.</p><p>There
are a range of other routes into teaching, including PGCE or postgraduate diploma
in education (PGDE) for those with an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification.
Additionally, qualified teacher learning and skills status (QTLS) allows those without
degrees to teach in schools, providing they meet the eligibility criteria. Those without
a degree can also train to teach through an undergraduate degree. Unlike the apprenticeships
and School Direct routes, these routes do not allow teaching assistants to train within
a school they may already be employed in.</p><p>While teaching is a graduate profession,
the department is working with interested parties to consider how teaching assistants
and others working in schools can attain the relevant qualifications to become teachers.</p>
|
|
