[ OUR PROGRAMMES ]
However you arrive, you leave a qualified teacher.
Three routes to QTS - plus continued development once you're qualified. All school-based, all delivered with the National Institute of Teaching.
Find the route that fits where you are.
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Secondary ITT
For graduates and career changers
- QTS and a PGCE with 60 master's-level credits
- Full-time or part-time options
- Weekly cohort training every Thursday
- 13 subject specialisms
Ideal if you already hold an undergraduate degree and wish to train as a secondary teacher. The course begins with an induction week building strong foundations in cognitive science and behaviour management, then most of your week is spent learning from expert mentors in your placement schools - through structured observations, joint planning and whole-class teaching - supported by subject practitioners from the OTT central team.
- Art and Design
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Computing
- Design and Technology
- Drama
- English
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Modern Languages (French)
- Modern Languages (Spanish)
- Physical Education
- Religious Education
Click a subject to find out more.
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Apprenticeship (PGTA)
For school staff with 12+ months of classroom experience
- Earn a salary on the unqualified teacher scale
- 4 days in school, 1 day of training a week
- Funded through the apprenticeship levy - no tuition fees
- 12 months, full-time
Work towards QTS while earning. You'll need a bachelor's degree to be eligible - if you don't have one, teaching in further education or early years may be the right path instead. PGTAs combine on-the-job training with theoretical learning, can start at any point in the academic year, and are completed over one academic year - a sustainable, cost-effective route to QTS for schools and trainees alike.
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Assessment Only (AO)
For experienced unqualified teachers
- QTS in up to 12 weeks
- Assessed on your existing practice
- No further training needed
If you've worked as an unqualified teacher and already meet the standards for qualified teacher status, you can gain QTS through assessment alone - a series of lesson observations, a portfolio of evidence against the teachers' standards, and written assessments.
Keep growing after QTS.
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Early Career Teacher Entitlement.
When you earn QTS you become an Early Career Teacher. This two-year DfE-funded programme - replacing ECF-based training from September 2025 - develops your professional skills in your first years of teaching. Delivered with Ambition Institute, with more than 56,000 early career teachers and mentors started since 2021/22.
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National Professional Qualifications.
Specialist NPQs in leading behaviour and culture, literacy, teaching, teacher development and primary mathematics - plus Leadership NPQs from early years leadership to headship, executive leadership and SENCOs. Delivered with Ambition Institute, subject to availability; contact the OTT team for details.