Whats the difference between a Graduate Teacher Programme course and a PGCE primary?

Question

i have a degree and want to become a teacher & wondered what the difference is between these two courses? i.e is a different qualification awarded or do both hold the same status? and what course is more difficult to get onto. thanks x

Answer 1

GTP is an employment based route into teaching but is only available to people with a degree plus significant experience of working with children, it's intended for people like teaching assistants

you are employed by a school as an unqualified teacher on a salary of about 15k and you work alongside an experienced teacher/mentor and have a training package provided by a university

I'm a tutor on the Derby Uni GTP and last year we had 160 applications, thinned to 60 for interview for 18 funded places but we have accepted a small number of people who are paying their own way or are being sponsored by a private school

PGCE is a university course that includes several weeks work on school placement as a student teacher, there are some bursaries but most students are self-financing

also difficult to get onto but easier than GTP

both courses are demanding, but so is the job and the GTP is a better route in my opinion because you spend most of the year in school but you need to already know a lot about children and schools to make it work

have a look at

www.tda.gov.uk/Recruit.aspx

Answer 2

its the same i think

Answer 3

In order to do the PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) you need to already have a degree. This does not need to be education related as you are pursuing a career in Primary School. Universities offer this course which is part study and part work experience (where you actually work as a teacher in different schools as well as completing written work).

As part of the course, you also need to complete QTS tests (Maths, English and IT) which are online tests.

Once you complete the PGCE and QTS, you can accept a job in a school as a trainee teacher. After 1 year of work, you qualify as a teacher.

Some people do not do the PGCE but go straight into whats called a Graduate Teacher Training Course. This is like a degree and lasts for a few years. Unlike the PGCE where you get experience in different schools, as part of the Graduate scheme, you are assigned a particular school and are based there one or two days of the week and the rest is university based.

I think for both you get a bursury which is just about enough to live on during the course.

Both are competative and you need work experience generally. This will put you in a better position. Both give the same qualification ultimately as ultimately you become a teacher but they offer different routes. Its just that with one you get a better understanding of that particular school whereas with the other, you learn more about the different schools. And of course, one course is longer than the other.

There is also another course provided by the Urban Learning Council or Centre (I forgot which one exactly) they offer the Graduate programme for post graduates which is a one-year course with a permanent placement in one school.

Hope that helps.

Answer 4

PGCE is a uni based route, you go to uni full time with teaching placements. GTP means you work as an unqualified teacher whilst studying for yout qualification.