Who can teach?

Teach West London is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all trainees, apprentices, staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to undergo the child protection screening, including an enhanced disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) and references from previous employers. For more information about the DBS please visit: gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check.

Please see our trainee person specification which outlines the professional and personal skills we are looking for: 

For trainees applying for salaried programmes

To be short-listed for a selection day in your personal statement it is essential that you demonstrate:  

• Passion for your chosen phase and/or subject in your personal  

• Awareness of the professional responsibilities involved in teaching 

• Experience of working with children in your chosen phase 

Qualifications

Undergraduate degree

If you’re applying for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) you must have an undergraduate degree (or equivalent).

• For QTS only ideally with a 1st, 2:1 or 2:2*
• For QTS & PGCE you must have a 1st, 2:1 or 2:2

*Teach West London may be willing to consider applicants who have a 3rd in their degree for the QTS only pathway, this will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Proof of certificates for UK and international qualifications will be required.

For secondary courses, your undergraduate degree should be in, or closely related to the subject that you are applying to train to teach in. (As a general rule, at least 50% of your undergraduate degree should relate to the teaching subject that you are applying to train to teach in). There may be some flexibility in certain cases where applicants do not strictly meet this criterion. If your undergraduate degree is not at least 50% related to your chosen subject, you may still be accepted if they have substantial relevant work experience or additional qualifications. in the subject. For example, a Maths graduate applying for Physics ITT who has worked as an engineering technician or completed additional physics-related courses. Or someone with a degree in Business but 10 years of work experience in Computing could be accepted for a Computer Science ITT programme.

If this is not the case, you may be required to complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course prior to starting the course in September. This will be determined by your existing subject knowledge.

Subject knowledge enhancements are available for some secondary subjects. For some of the subjects, an SKE will be funded by the Department for Education, however for other SKE subjects you may be required to fund this yourself. This will be discussed during the selection process.

GCSEs

All applicants must have at least:

• Grade 4/C (or equivalent) in GCSE Maths
• Grace 4/C (or equivalent) in GCSE English
• For primary courses, a grade 4/C (or equivalent) in a GCSE Science subject

If you do not have the required GCSEs, you can still apply. However, you will need to complete an equivalence test. At the time of submitting your application, please contact Teach West London for personalised advice.

International qualifications

If you have an international qualification for your GCSEs or undergraduate degree, you are required to obtain a statement of comparability via UK ENIC Home Page (enic.org.uk). You will be required to submit the original certificates and are responsible for paying the required fees.

We recommend that you obtain this prior to submitting your application. See International applicants below for more information.

School Experience

Although it is not essential, it is desirable for applicants to have had some experience (including lesson observations) in a primary or secondary school by the time that the training course begins.

For salaried courses, 3 years of work history (some of which ideally relates to the education sector), is highly desirable. If you have not been employed in an educational setting, experience of working with children within your chosen phase, for example, helping with a youth club or sports team is essential. 

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 (ITT) programme.

I do not have the relevant GCSEs, can I still apply?

Yes, you can still submit an application, however, your offer to our ITT programme will be made on the condition that you pass the relevant equivalence test before the programme begins. Primary applicants are advised to ensure that they have two of the three required GCSE subjects in place at the point at which they submit their application. Secondary applicants are advised to ensure that they have one of the two required GCSE subjects in place at the point at which they submit their application.

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 complete an equivalence test.

What is an equivalence test?

An equivalence test allows you to acquire a certification that is equivalent to the GCSEs. Teach West London accepts equivalence tests from the following providers: 

• A Star Equivalency 

• Equivalence Testing 

• St Mary’s University 

• Open Study College 

Applicants are responsible for paying the equivalence test fees. For applicants to begin their Initial Teacher Training they must ensure that all of the qualification requirements have been met at the appropriate level before the course commences.  This includes the required GCSE subjects and undergraduate degree. 

I have lost my GCSE certificate, what should I do?

First, contact your Secondary School. After you have submitted your ITT application, they will need to email proof of your GCSE results directly to ITT@teachwestlondon.org.uk (must be directly from the school, not via your email) and cc you in.

Then, contact your GCSE Exam Boards to obtain replacement certificates. There will be a fee that you have to pay for this.

Ready to Apply?

If you are ready to begin your ITT application process, select the How to Apply button below.

How to Apply

The guide below provides some useful information and tips for international applicants.

We welcome international applicants and believe diversity of experience and culture enriches pupil learning.

Entry requirements for international applicants

To train to teach in England, you will need:

• A visa or immigration status allowing you to study (or work, for salaried courses) in the UK.
• a bachelor’s degree (this can be from a university outside the UK)
• an English language qualification which is the same standard as a grade 4 General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)
• a maths qualification which is the same standard as a grade 4 GCSE
• if teaching children aged 3 to 11 in primary school, a physics, chemistry or biology (science) qualification which is the same standard as a grade 4 GCSE

A GCSE is an academic qualification awarded for exams in England, usually taken at age 16.

You will also need:

• a ‘statement of comparability’ which proves that your school and university qualifications are the same standard as UK GCSEs and a UK undergraduate degree. You will be required to submit the original certificates and are responsible for paying the required fees (approx. £50). We recommend that you obtain this prior to submitting your application, however they can be obtained afterwards.

Please note: If your qualifications are not considered to be equivalent, you will be required to sit an equivalency test with one of four providers:

• A Star Equivalency
• Equivalence Testing
• St Mary’s University
• Open Study College 

All trainees will also need to:

• have the health and physical capacity to train to teach
• undergo safeguarding and criminal record checks

Fees and funding

Fees for International applicants:

QTS only: £13,500
or
QTS + PGCE: £14,500

You can find out more about fees and financial support for non-UK trainee teachers.

Although it is not essential, it is desirable for applicants to have had some experience (including lesson observations) in a primary, secondary and or special needs school by the time that the training course begins. 

For salaried courses, some relevant work experience (work experience within an educational setting) at the time of applying is highly desirable. If you have not been employed in an educational setting, experience of working with children, within your chosen phase, for example helping with a youth club or sports team is essential. 

Do you want to gain more experience before you apply to Teach West London teacher training programmes? Please see below for two options.

Step Into Teaching: Your Gateway to Teach West London and real classroom experience.

Step Into Teaching's programme places graduates in paid, long-term roles in schools across London, giving them real classroom experience before they begin formal training. From day one, you’ll be solving problems, adapting to new challenges and making a difference. Over 75% of their graduates say they’ve become more resilient and adaptable - skills that are invaluable in teaching.

Get in touch with one of Step into Teaching’s Education Partners and start gaining teaching experience today. Click here to find out more.

A Graduate Teaching Assistant and Academic Mentor role is perfect for aspiring teachers – gain experience, whilst earning a salary. 

These roles offer:

• Opportunity for a one-to-one meeting with a member of Teach West London’s initial teacher training team to offer you bespoke career support.
• Opportunity to work in KS3 and KS4 classrooms to provide you with a range of experience.
• Opportunity to work closely with the subject you aspire to train to teach in, allowing you to develop the necessary subject knowledge and familiarity with subject’s pedagogical approaches.

Click here to register your interest in Graduate Teaching Assistant and Academic Mentor roles at Twyford CofE Academies Trust.

Twyford CofE Academies Trust offer roles as Graduate Teaching Assistants and Academic Mentors, Peripatetic Music Teachers and Sports Technicians for graduates wishing to gain additional experience before applying to one of Teach West London's Initial Teacher Training programmes.  

We'll be in touch when a vacancy becomes available.

Here at Teach West London, trainees from diverse backgrounds - ranging from healthcare and sales to teaching support roles - are discovering a purpose-driven career and the tools they need to thrive. Read more about how our tailored support, immersive school-based training, and clear pathways into Primary and Secondary education are helping career changers confidently transition into teaching here.

We’re proud to partner with Now Teach, an organisation dedicated to helping experienced professionals make the successful leap into teaching. Since 2017, Now Teach has supported over 1,300 career changers to train and thrive as teachers, particularly in shortage subjects such as STEM.

Through national recruitment campaigns, Now Teach attracts talented individuals from diverse careers, guiding them through the realities of teaching and connecting them with a strong, supportive network of peers. Their focus on tailored support, coaching, and professional development helps ensure that more career changers not only enter teaching but stay and flourish in the profession.