General FAQs

Qualifications

What qualification will I receive at the end of the training programme?

Our initial teacher training courses all lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), which has 60 Master’s Level credits.

Can I take the PGCE without QTS and qualify to teach?

No. The PGCE does not qualify you to teach on its own, therefore you will need to complete this with QTS if you want to become a qualified teacher. The PGCE is an extra qualification, that is based on the theory of education.

Courses

How long does the training programme last?

1 academic year. All North West London’s ITT courses will begin in September and finish the following July i.e. September 2024 – July 2025.

Is the course full-time or part-time?

North West London offers full-time courses only.

What phases and subjects does North West London offer?

Dependent upon the local subject needs from our placement schools, North West London offers the following courses for Primary and Secondary:

Primary 5-11
Secondary English
Secondary Geography
Secondary Maths
Secondary MFL – French
Secondary MFL – Spanish
Secondary Science – Biology
Secondary Science – Chemistry
Secondary Science – Physics

How is the course structured? What does it look like on a weekly basis?

QTS & PGCE – Throughout the year our trainee teachers will spend 4 days a week in school and 1 day a week engaging in professional learning with North West London. With the PGCE, trainees will have additional assessments, to be completed through the year. The PGCE is an academic qualification but is not a requirement for becoming a teacher.

Entry requirements

What qualifications do I need to apply?

By the time the course begins, you must have:

a UK bachelor’s degree or equivalent UK ENIC (proof of certificates for the UK and international qualifications will be required alongside UK ENIC documents)
GCSE’s grade 4/C or above in English language and Maths or equivalent (proof of certificates for the UK and international qualifications will be required alongside UK ENIC documents)
GCSE grade 4/C or above in a Science subject for Primary applicants (proof of certificates for the UK and international qualifications will be required alongside UK ENIC documents)

Applicants who need to take a GCSE equivalence are advised to contact North West London to check if their chosen provider for an equivalence test will be accepted by North West London. Applicants are responsible for paying the equivalence test fees (approximately £150-£350 dependant on the test provider you choose).

My qualifications are not from the UK, can I still apply? Do I need to do anything before applying?

For international qualifications that relate to GCSEs (Maths and English Language and Science for Primary applicants) and undergraduate degree applicants will need to apply to UK ENIC Home Page (enic.org.uk) to obtain a certificate of equivalence. North West London will check this equivalence against the regulations set by the government for entry onto an initial teacher training course. Applicants will be required to submit their original certificates for this. Applicants are responsible for paying the fees to gain an equivalence certificate.

I have not got an undergraduate degree. Can I still apply?

No, all applicants must hold a UK degree (or equivalent). Please note if you are currently studying towards an undergraduate degree, you must have completed the course prior to beginning the initial teacher training programme.

I do not have GCSEs, but I have level 2 functional skills, is this the same as a GCSE?

No, the breadth of study for functional skills is not the same as a GCSE. Applicants with functional skills will need to apply for an equivalence test.

Do I need to have experience of working in a UK school?

Experience of working in a school is not a mandatory requirement for joining our initial teacher training courses. However, school experience is desirable, especially for a salaried route. Before you apply, we recommend you gain as much experience in the classroom as possible, which will strengthen your application and prepare yourself for potential interviews as well as ensuring that teaching is the career that you want to pursue. To find out more about getting school experience, please visit Get school experience – Get school experience – GOV.UK (education.gov.uk).

I want to train as a secondary teacher but I don’t have a degree in exactly the same subject as I would like to train in. Is that okay?

If there is no similarity between your Degree subject and the subject you wish to train in, we will require a minimum of a strong A level (or equivalent) in the subject you wish to train in. We will also consider other information that explains why you will be a great teacher in your chosen subject!

What is an SKE?

SKE refers to Subject Knowledge Enhancement. This is additional specialist subject training that Secondary applicants can undergo prior to joining the programme to enhance subject knowledge. The extent of an SKE will be discussed based on indivdual circumstances, but where degree subject is not closely related to specialist subject at secondary, we will normally require 12 weeks. Here is a guide to the requirements

8 week SKE (Accelerated GCSE) = 200 hours
12 week SKE (Enhanced GCSE) = 300 hours
16 week SKE (Accelerated A Level) = 400 hours
20 week SKE (Enhanced A Level) = 500 hours
24 week SKE (Accelerated GCSE & A Level) = 600 hours
28 week SKE (Enhanced GCSE & A Level) = 700 hours

Further information can be found on the Gov.uk website. We do of course discuss this at interview and take into account individual circumstances in agreeing the level of SKE appropriate to be completed after offer acceptance and before programme start in September 2024.

I already work in a school as a Teaching Assistant and my school will sponsor me (pay my salary and fees). Can I train with you?

Yes you can! When you apply, please also drop us an email to TSH@whtc.co.uk explaining this and we will connect your application with this information.

I don’t have a GCSE Grade 4 and above in one of the subjects required – can I qualify with equivalency instead?

Yes! If you have already taken an equivalency test and have a certificate, we can accept your equivalency certificate as long as it can be verified, so you will not need to do equivalency again. If you need to take an equivalency test, we recommend you use these providers:

A Star Equivalency | GCSE Equivalency Tests & Courses

Equivalency Testing | Home | GCSE equivalency testing.

However, if you wish to choose an alternative provider, you may do so, but will need to verify your certificate in the same way. Equivalency testing is at candidate’s own cost and the results must be obtained, showing an equivalent to a grade 4 and above in the relevant subject required, by 31^st August 2024 in order to join the programme. If in any doubt, please contact teachertraining@ambition.org.uk for support and advice.

Applications

How do I apply to North West London?

All applications for our initial teacher training courses must be submitted through DfE. Apply for teacher training – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).You cannot submit a CV and letter to a school directly or to North West London for the courses, applications must be made through the proper channel via the GOV.UK link above.

I live outside of the UK. Can I still apply?

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK to be eligible to train with North West London. Some schools may be willing to sponsor applicants who are looking at applying for the salaried route in Physics or Maths. Applicants are advised to make a specific enquiry with North West London prior to applying by emailing TSH@whtc.co.uk.

I am having issues submitting my initial teacher training application via the GOV.UK (DfE Apply) website, what can I do?

Unfortunately, we are unable to help with technical issues with DfE Apply. Please contact the service directly on 0800 389 2500.

I have submitted my application, but I haven’t heard back from you. What should I do?

After you have applied, you will receive a welcome email from GOV.UK within 48 hours. We aim to respond to applicants within 25 working days of receiving your application. If we would like to invite you to an interview, it is likely that it will take place within these 25 working days.

Placements

Which school will I be placed in?

North West London will carefully co-ordinate the school placements by matching each applicant to a placement school. Shortlisted applicants will be asked if they have a preference to be placed in a particular school.

How long will I be at my placement school?

You will be based in your placement school for the whole of the academic school year aside from when you carry out specialist placement days and a second school placement. The specialist placement days will take place during the autumn and spring terms to allow visitation to alternative school settings such as; a pupil referral unit (PRU), a special school, a forest school, or spend a day in an early years foundation stage (EYFS) classroom. The second school placement will take place in the spring or summer term, lasting a maximum of 10 days.

Fees and payments

How much does it cost to train with North West London?

North West London course fees for QTS with PGCE will be published in late September 2024.

Will I get paid to train?

There are 2 routes for training to teach. The salaried route provides trainee teachers with a salary based on the unqualified teacher payscale and will involve teaching in the classroom from day one. (Schools will usually only offer a salaried route if there is a specific subject need and vacancy within their school). Unsalaried route trainee teachers will not be earning a salary and will have a gradual, more supported training experience, building up to a fuller timetable of teaching by the end of the year.

If you have any questions about pursuing a career in teaching or would like to know more about our programme, please email TSH@whtc.co.ukor call North West London on 020 8385 4802.