Trainee Requirements

The West Midlands Consortium's admission process looks to select individuals with outstanding potential and a passionate commitment to teaching rather than those in possession of a particular set of academic qualifications. For instance, we welcome mature entrants with experience of commerce/industry closely related to their chosen subject area, should their degree not be a strong match.

Nevertheless, there are academic standards required by the Teaching Agency, which all applicants must have achieved.  In order to apply for a School Based Training (Salaried) poistion:

• You should have at least a 2:2 degree or equivalent in your chosen subject area
• You must also hold GCSE grade C (or better) in Mathematics and English
• Your previous education must provide a sound foundation for work as a teacher in the phase and subject you are to teach
• You must have three or more years’ career experience (not necessarily teaching).

Please note, in order to take up your training place you must first pass both the TA Professional Numeracy and Literacy skills tests.

Equivalent qualifications

If you have qualifications from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) will be able to advise you on whether your qualifications are equivalent to the minimum requirements set out above, and they may also provide certification where appropriate

How to apply

All applications for the School Based Training Training Programme (Salaried) must be made via the Teaching Agency Application System. You must direct your application to Thomas Telford School.

Thomas Telford School, as lead school for the Consortium, will receive all applications. If you do not have a preference, your application will be sent to all Partner Schools wishing to train in your subject. If you have a preference of which Partner School you would like your application to be directed to, please state this in your application.

You may wish to contact a Partner School before applying.

Selection Process

Invitations to interview will be sent from the respective Partner School. If invited to interview you will need to provide detailed information about your past experience and education.  During the interview process we will talk with you about what you can already do and what further training you would need in order to meet the standards required for QTS. You will be required to provide evidence of your qualifications. You will be interviewed by a representative from the West Midlands Consortium and senior staff from the Host School.

Writing your Personal Statement

When applying for Initial Teacher Training, you will be required to complete a personal statement. In your statement, you should explain why you wish to join the teaching profession and specifically why you wish to teach your chosen subject. Include your aspirations and the qualities and skills you will bring into teaching. Try to explain why you want to study the course you are applying for and include any relevant experience you have of working in schools and/or with young people. If you mention your personal interests and hobbies, try to link these to the skills and experience required for the course.

The personal statement may be used as the basis for an interview so be prepared to answer questions on it. Make sure it is organised and literate. Get the grammar, spelling and punctuation right. A statement filled with errors will give a negative impression of your skills and the effort you have put in to being accepted. Your statement must be written in English.