GCSE Qualifications

Am I eligible to train?
The minimum entry requirements are:

  • A degree, completed before the training starts.
  • A GCSE grade 4 or above in Maths (formerly grade C), or equivalent.
  • A GCSE grade 4 or above in English (formerly grade C), or equivalent.
  • For primary (3-11), a GCSE grade 4 or above in Science (formerly grade C), or equivalent.

If your degree or GCSE equivalent qualifications were obtained overseas a certificate of comparability will need to be obtained.

Fully funded Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) courses are available in a number of subjects to top up your subject knowledge before you start your teacher training, if required. A SKE course could be required because you have:

  • Finished your degree more than 5 years ago
  • A different but related degree in the subject you want to teach
  • An A Level but not a degree in the subject you want to teach
  • An unrelated degree but relevant professional experience
  • Studied for a language degree, but need to improve knowledge either in a main language or a second language

Personal qualities

Clearly, it is very important that teachers have a very good understanding of their specialist subject and relevant experience, but it is just as important that teachers have personal attributes that will help them to relate to young people and enable them to communicate effectively. We look for candidates who are:

  • Enthusiastic about teaching and working with young people
  • Ability to relate well to others and young people
  • A willingness to be trained, to listen to good advice and learn from mistakes
  • Ability to cope with difficult and stressful situations and on these occasions be able to maintain calmness and a good sense of perspective
  • Good written and verbal communication skills
  • Well organised and hard working
  • Commitment to continuing professional development
  • Range of personal interests

School experience and other relevant experience

School experience is not a statutory requirement to apply for Initial Teacher Training as we are looking for the potential to train to teach. However, if candidates are able to gain some school experience prior to application or starting training it does provide a valuable insight into the profession and build your enthusiasm for teaching. We would be happy to arrange an experience in school for candidates prior to application or following the offer of a training place.

Applicants may also have other relevant experience they bring to teaching and the school environment. This could be working with young people in voluntary positions, such as in a church youth group or at a Brownies unit. It could also include having specialist subject knowledge from employment in a specialist field.

Safer recruitment of trainee teachers

CTTC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

All candidates undergo rigorous background checks and trainees are expected to fully engage with, and adhere to, the safeguarding procedures and policies within their placement school including the Prevent duty. CTTC commit to keeping trainees up to date with all relevant legislation and will rigorously remind trainees and refer to how to conduct themselves to maintain their own safety and that of the young people they work with in school.

During the interview process, candidates will be asked to account for any gaps in employment or study.

Offers of a training place are subject to:

  • Pre-course screening checks
  • A satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal records check
  • A satisfactory Occupational Health check

CTTC will carry out a check of the Children’s Barred List and Prohibition from Teaching list.

CTTC will seek out references from two professional individuals who have known the candidate in a professional capacity. Each referee will be asked to state that they “know of no reason why the applicant should not work with children or vulnerable adults”.

For any applicants who have lived or worked abroad, CTTC might apply for a Certificate of Good Conduct in addition to the DBS check.

CTTC are committed to:

  • Promoting equality of opportunity and community cohesion where the diversity of different backgrounds and circumstances is appreciated and positively valued;
  • The fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs and expects all staff, trainees, volunteers and other workers to share in this commitment.

All offers of training will be subject to pre-training checks including an enhanced disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and satisfactory references.

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