GTP
Funded GTP places
There has been strong demand for funded GTP places for 2008-09. Applications submitted by the 16 May 2008 deadline are currently being assessed and ranked by the Welsh Assembly Government’s specialist advisers. There will no additional funded GTP places for the 2008-09 Academic Year. Schools may continue to apply for unfunded places. The announcement for funded places for 2009-10 will be announced on this website between February and the end of March 2009. |
THE GRADUATE TEACHER PROGRAMME (GTP) - The Graduate Teacher Programme is an employment based route into teaching in Wales which offers a way to qualify as a teacher while you work. Trainees undertake an individual programme designed to enable them to meet the Qualified Teacher Status Standards. It may suit those who are unable to undertake a traditional initial teacher training course or who need to continue earning while they train.
In addition to fulfilling all the entry requirements for an initial teacher training programme, candidates for the GTP must hold a first degree or its equivalent in an appropriate subject i.e. a subject that is taught in schools. The programme normally lasts one year full-time but trainees with suitable previous experience may complete the programme in a shorter time (the minimum is 3 months full-time). Maintained schools who employ a graduate trainee may receive a grant of up to £14,400 towards the trainee’s salary. In addition, the Recommending Body (RB), which support/mentors and trains the applicant may receive a training grant of up to £4,400. The RB is usually the school but may be an initial teacher training provider, a local education authority or any other body which is able to meet the Welsh Assembly Government’s requirements
For 2008/09, there are approximately 40 funded GTP places available for the priority categories of secondary science, mathematics, ICT, design and technology, Welsh, music, religious education and modern foreign languages. English (including drama) is not a priority subject for 2008-09. The deadline for applications for funded places was 16 May 2008.
The Welsh Assembly Government would like to see a balanced portfolio of funded places across all secondary sectors in Wales and in particular welcomes more applications from schools in North Wales, the Welsh medium sector and in the subject of Welsh. To help achieve this balance schools will only be allowed to make a maximum of three applications for funded places in 2008-09
The GTP is not available in primary schools. This is because it is recognised by the Welsh Assembly Government that there is no shortage of primary teachers in Wales. If you are a fully qualified primary teacher who obtained a teaching qualification outside the EU/EEA area, and you would like to discuss the options for accrediting overseas trained teachers in Wales, please contact the Practioner Training Branch in the Welsh Assembly Government (details at the foot of this page).
For 2008-09 entry to the scheme will be available to independent schools provided they apply via accredited ITT providers. ITT providers who choose to run these programmes will recover all costs from participating independent schools. No grants are available for places awarded at independent schools.
The Welsh Assembly Government welcomes applications from under-represented groups i.e. ethnic minorities and those with disabilities.
To join the Graduate Teacher Programme, a candidate has to find a secondary school in Wales prepared to support them through the programme. To assist trainees in finding a post, the Welsh Assembly Government has prepared a leaflet of Frequently Asked Questions on the Employment Based routes into teaching which includes a section at the end of the document on ‘Teaching Vacancies in Wales’. The RB submits the application to the Welsh Assembly Government on the trainee’s behalf.
At the end of the training programme, the candidate is assessed against the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Standards. Click on the links below to access the Qualified Teacher Status Standards 2006 and the Becoming a Qualified Teacher - Handbook of Guidance - Circular 41/2006. An external assessor visits the school for up to two days; assesses and makes a recommendation as to whether the candidate has met the standards required. If the assessment is successful, the RB makes a recommendation to the General Teaching Council for Wales that the trainee should be a qualified teacher. QTS is awarded but no additional qualification e.g. a PGCE.
A copy of the application form which includes full details about the grants and numbers of funded places for 2008-09 can be downloaded by clicking the link below. Please note that this form should be completed by the school/ITT provider. It is recommended that you also read the Frequently Asked Questions document via the link below and the official guidance circular.
*A revised guidance circular will be available later in 2008. These changes to the circular will not affect applications for secondary GTP programmes for 2007/08.
RTP
Please note that the Registered Teacher Programme is no longer available in Wales.
If you have read the above documents and require further information please contact: Practitioner Training Branch, Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ.
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