1. Can I train to teach in a secondary school?

The 2Schools Consortium is only involved in training primary teachers, either Foundation and KS1 or KS1 and KS2. If you are more interested in training as a secondary teacher via the GTP, you could contact other providers in North London, for example, London North Consortium or North East London Partnership. Details of these can be found in the Employment Based Routes section of the TDA website.

2. Do I need any experience?

Candidates are advised to gain some knowledge of primary teaching and to have some recent experience in a primary school before applying for the course. You could:

- volunteer in a local primary school
- obtain employment as a classroom / teaching assistant
- enrol on a 'Taster Course', which may be run by your LA
- contact the TDA's Open School's Programme on 0845 6000 998
- find out about the National Curriculum and the Primary Frameworks for Literacy and Mathematics
- enrol on a Student Associate Scheme if you are currently studying for a BA or BSc degree, postgraduate award, HND or foundation degree.

4. What if I do not have the minimum requirements?

Applicants need to have gained all the required GCSE qualifications or equivalent or be waiting for final results when making an application.

GCSE equivalency tests can be taken through;

1. Equivalency Testing - telephone number 01277203336

www.equivalencytesting.com

2. A Star Teachers - telephone number 02072727070

www.astarteachers.co.uk

Preference will be given to applicants that already hold a degree when applying.

5.How are trainees selected?

Completed application forms may be sent by post or email to the 2Schools Consortium at any time. Those received by the closing date at the end of December are considered in the short-listing process for a place the following September. Those received after this date are considered if additional places become available or if another round of interviews is needed.

Short listed applicants are invited for interview in January or February. The interview lasts a whole day and usually takes place at Henry Maynard Infant School or Oakthorpe Primary School. Candidates are advised of the format of the day by letter.

Applicants who are successful at interview, are offered a conditional place. These are subject to:

• Satisfactory references
• Satisfactory medical assessment and criminal record check
• National and Local Terms and Conditions of Employment
• Satisfactory completion of between 5 and 15 days in one of our schools (which may depend on your experience)

The purpose of the additional days in school is to ensure that following the GTP with us is the right decision for both the candidate and the Consortium. It is also an opportunity for the Consortium to gain information about the candidate to inform the initial needs analysis and the setting of pre-course tasks.

6. Is any further guidance available on making an application?

Opportunities for applicants to receive guidance on writing their application form and supporting statement will be arranged for November and December 2010. The dates are still to be confirmed

To register your interest in either attending and to obtain further details, please email:
nicola.wilson@henrymaynard-inf.waltham.sch.uk
or
anne@oakthorpe.enfield.sch.uk

7. Can I train on the GTP if I have qualified as a teacher overseas?

The GTP is not intended for those who have trained to be a teacher abroad. If you are an Overseas Trained Teacher wishing to teach in England, we suggest you contact the OTT helpline on 01245 454 321.

Further information can be found at www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/overseastrainedteachers or www.tda.gov.uk/OTT

If you have qualified as a teacher inside the EU you will be able to apply for teaching positions in the same way as UK trained teachers.

If you are an overseas trained teacher from outside the UK we can support you in gaining Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), please click on the Overseas Trained Teachers link on this page.

8. What is the Registered Teacher Programme (RTP)?

The RTP is for those who have a minimum of 2 years higher education. Whilst on the programme they complete a degree and train for QTS, which takes up to 2 years. The programme is available for primary and secondary teaching. For further information contact London Metropolitan University 0207-133-2613 for primary, or Middlesex University for secondary

We hope the information on this website has been helpful. If you would like to find out more or have questions that have not been answered, please contact us by post, phone, fax or email.