Diversity Conference 25th October 2006 – outcome >>

Introduction

Teacher Training institutions in Wales offer a wide range of both primary and secondary teacher training courses, leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Each institution offers high quality training and qualifications, which apply throughout the UK and beyond. All are in attractive settings, all within easy reach of some of the finest scenery in the country.

The National Assembly for Wales has issued a policy document “The Learning Country”, a plan for education and learning in Wales over the next decade. Many exciting and innovative developments are to be introduced in Wales. Training to teach in Wales therefore offers the opportunity to benefit from the expertise developed over many years and to experience something of the vision for the future... an ideal grounding for a successful career in teaching.

SOME KEY POINTS

• Recent research produced for the Training and Development Agency for Schools has proved that ‘teachers gain both short-term and long-term satisfaction from developing pupils, they find the work fulfilling, exciting and extremely varied. The ‘buzz’ around the school and interactions with both pupils and colleagues add to the sense of enjoyment.’ Read more by clicking www.tda.gov.uk/joblab.
   
• Starting salaries of £19,161 are comparable to other professions with excellent opportunities for rapid career progression and financial rewards to match.
   
• There are no variable ‘top-up’ tuition fees in Wales for 2006 entry.
   
• All undergraduate trainees from Wales are now eligible for means tested grants to a maximum value of £2,700 year. In addition, eligible trainees on undergraduate secondary teacher training courses will also receive grants of between £600 and £2,000 a year. 
   
• Training grants of up to £7,200 are available for eligible primary and secondary postgraduate trainees.
   
• A further teaching grant of £2,500 is available for eligible trainees who trained in postgraduate secondary priority subjects. Priority subjects include Mathematics, Science, Modern Languages, Design and Technology, ICT, English (including drama) Welsh as a second language, Music and RE. Those who train on secondary Mathematics and Science courses and meet conditions will receive £5,000. This is paid when beginning the second year of teaching the subject. 
   
• Trainees in Wales are not required to pass the Skills Tests in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT, to obtain Qualified Teacher Status (but see Open University page). The QTS awarded in Wales is fully recognised in England and beyond.
   
• The ability to speak Welsh is not a requirement for courses in Wales. You can choose to follow courses either in English or Welsh. The University of Wales, Bangor and Trinity College Carmarthen offer their degree schemes (Primary) through the medium of Welsh as well as English. 
   
• There is a particular demand for Welsh speakers, to train to teach Welsh and to train to teach other subjects through the medium of Welsh. 
   
• £1,200 is available to eligible trainees who undertake qualifying secondary courses through the medium of Welsh but who require some additional training in the Welsh language. 
   
• The Graduate Teacher Programme, Registered Teacher Programme, Open and Distance Learning Schemes and Pre–Course Subject Enhancement Courses are available in Wales. 
   
• Prepare to Teach courses are offered in Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages, Science, Design and Technology and Welsh and give trainees the opportunity to find out whether they are suitable for a teaching career. 
   
• For further information about teacher training in Wales, contact the Teacher Information Line (0845 6000 991 or 0845 6000 992 for Welsh speakers), see the web sites of the individual institutions and the National Assembly's Learning Wales website at http://www.learning.wales.gov.uk/ .
   
• The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales issues a Performance Information Report on the teacher training institutions in Wales, available on - www.hefcw.ac.uk.
   
• The statutory Induction Year was introduced in Wales in September 2003. The year forms an integral part of an exciting policy of support for teachers and their professional development.
   
• Teach Again courses are ‘returners’ courses for qualified primary and secondary teachers who wish to begin teaching in a secondary school or return to the secondary classroom. The course offers updating of skills and subject knowledge, confidence building, a short school placement and tutor support. 
  

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