Initial Teacher Training can feel daunting. With multiple routes into teaching and competitive places, knowing where to start and how to strengthen your application is not always straightforward. This post brings together ten practical tips for securing a place on an ITT course, alongside a brief overview of the main routes into the profession.
Understanding the Main ITT Routes
Before applying, it is worth understanding the key pathways available. While the end goal is the same, the experience can differ.
PGCE (University-led) courses combine academic study with school placements and result in a postgraduate qualification alongside QTS. They suit those who value structured study and research-informed practice.
School Direct routes are school-led and often involve training within a partnership of schools. Some include a PGCE, while others offer QTS only. These routes suit candidates keen to be embedded in a school from the outset.
SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training) programmes are also school-led and typically offer very practical, immersive training, often with smaller cohorts and close mentoring.
Teach First is a salaried route with a strong social justice focus. Trainees take on responsibility quickly and complete a PGDE while teaching in schools serving disadvantaged communities.
Each route has strengths, and no single pathway is “best”. The right choice depends on your learning style, experience, and personal circumstances.
Ten Tips for Securing Your Place
1. Be Clear About Why You Want to Teach
Providers are not looking for a perfect answer, but they do want authenticity. Reflect on your motivations and be prepared to articulate why teaching, why now, and why your chosen subject or phase.
2. Gain Relevant School Experience
Classroom experience remains one of the strongest aspects of any application. Time spent observing lessons, supporting pupils, or working in schools helps you speak credibly about the realities of teaching.
3. Research the Route and Provider
Demonstrate that you understand the course you are applying for. Generic applications are easy to spot. Reference the provider’s ethos, structure, and approach to training where appropriate.
4. Develop Subject Knowledge
Strong subject knowledge is essential. Be ready to discuss what you enjoy about your subject, how it is taught in schools, and how you would continue to develop your expertise.
5. Show an Understanding of Teaching and Learning
You are not expected to be an expert, but some awareness of pedagogy helps. Mention strategies you have observed, how pupils learn, or how teachers support progress and behaviour.
6. Prepare Carefully for Interviews
Interviews often include a combination of tasks, such as a lesson discussion, written task, or teaching activity. Preparation, reflection, and calm communication matter more than perfection.
7. Use Your Personal Statement Wisely
Your statement should tell a coherent story. Focus on relevance rather than listing experiences. Explain what you learned and how it has prepared you for training.
8. Choose Referees Thoughtfully
Select referees who know you well and can comment on your suitability for teaching. Brief them on your application so their reference aligns with your goals.
9. Apply Early Where Possible
Many courses recruit on a rolling basis. Applying earlier can increase your chances and give you more choice if you receive multiple offers.
10. Be Open to Feedback
If you are unsuccessful, ask for feedback and act on it. Many strong teachers do not secure a place on their first attempt. Persistence and reflection are qualities training providers value.
Choosing the Right Route for You
When deciding between PGCE, School Direct, SCITT, or Teach First, consider how you learn best, the level of support you want, and your readiness for responsibility. Speak to current trainees where possible and attend open events or webinars.
There is no single “correct” route into teaching. What matters most is the quality of training, the support you receive, and your commitment to learning and improving.
Final Thoughts
Securing a place on an ITT course is competitive, but it is also achievable with preparation, reflection, and realism. Teaching is a demanding profession, but it remains one of the most rewarding. The process of applying is often the first step in developing the reflective habits that will serve you well throughout your career.
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