Determine the age group you wish to teach and identify the geographical region you wish to study in. Go to the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) homepage and search for suitable universities in your subject field and age group.
Fill in your application form on the GTTR website, including a personal statement, references and the declaration of truthfulness. Before the application is accepted, you will need to pay a nonrefundable fee of 17 British pounds (2010). Note that you will only be allowed one application. Second applications will cancel the first and a new fee will be applied.
Await the welcome letter from GTTR providing your personal ID and user name. This will give you access to a personal track account. The welcome letter also lists the training providers to which the application has been sent for consideration.
Follow your application progress on your GTTR track account to find out whether you have been invited for an interview. If you have been accepted for an interview, the training provider will contact you to confirm a date and make full arrangements.
Show up for the interview. This can be with an individual or a group. You may be asked to give a presentation, write an essay or work within a group of other applicants. Some universities will perform exams to determine your literacy and numeracy skills.
Track the decision process on GTTR. The universities will inform the GTTR first if you have been successful. If they cannot offer you a place, the GTTR will apply to your second choice and the process will be repeated. Note that course providers have 56 days from the receipt of your application to make a decision. If you have been accepted, you will receive an email from GTTR, and an offer from the training provider will be published in your track account.
Accept or decline the offer. If you decline the offer, GTTR will send the application to your second choice, unless you cancel the process. If you accept the offer you can only do so through your account on GTTR.
Start your course at the date set by the university. Familiarize yourself with the course work and establish the provisions for field experience. Most universities have connections with local schools that invite trainee teachers for work experience sessions, but you will have to apply for a placement. Determine assessment dates.
Define your own goals and implement them throughout your course work and field studies. Universities will require students to assess their progress based on these goals.
Familiarize yourself with the National Curriculum requirements for primary school children within English, math and science. Study several foundation subjects, such as art, geography, history, communications, music, and physical education. The university will usually focus on how these studies can be taught effectively, rather than delving into the subjects themselves.
Perform the practical part of your training through work experience in schools accredited by your course provider. The amount of field experience will vary by university.
Conclude your studies by going through the assessment process. Your capabilities will be assessed through classroom observation, analysis of your course material and your own verbal comments. The successful completion of the assessment programme alone however does not give the permission to work as a teacher. You still will have to pass the skills tests in literacy, numeracy and ICT which are set independently by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) before the General Teaching Council for England (GTC) will issue the the Qualifying Teacher Status need to work in an English school.