Your Guide to Starting and Growing Your Teaching Career
At Catalyst Academies Trust, we believe great teaching changes lives. Our blog is here to guide you through every stage of your journey into education – from understanding key qualifications like Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), to exploring teacher training routes, timelines, and career development opportunities.
It doesn't matter if you’re a graduate considering your first step into teaching, a professional looking for a career change, or an experienced educator seeking professional growth; you’ll find clear, supportive advice here.
Drawing on our work with primary schools across Essex, we share practical insights, answer common questions, and highlight the many ways we can help you train, qualify, and thrive in the classroom.
Start reading, and take your next step towards shaping the future of education.
September is one of the most popular times to begin a new teaching role. It marks the start of the academic year, allowing teachers to meet their classes from the first day, establish routines and contribute to curriculum planning from the beginning of the autumn term.
A teaching assistant interview is your opportunity to show that you have the patience, communication skills and commitment needed to support children in school. Whether you already have classroom experience or are applying for your first role in education, preparation can help you feel more confident and give clear, relevant answers.
A career in education can develop in many different directions. Some people begin by supporting pupils as teaching assistants, while others enter the profession through a degree apprenticeship or postgraduate teacher training. Qualified teachers may later take responsibility for a subject, year group or phase before progressing into senior leadership or wider school improvement roles.
Beginning your career as a teacher is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting difference to children’s lives. However, finding the right school, support network and professional development opportunities can be just as important as securing your first teaching position.
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Yes, you can get into primary teaching through an apprenticeship. A Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship allows you to train as a primary school teacher while working in a school and earning a salary.
Instead of completing a traditional full-time university degree before teacher training, this route combines employment, academic study and classroom experience into one structured programme.
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Primary teaching apprenticeships are employment-based routes into teaching that allow you to earn a salary while working towards a degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Instead of studying full-time at university, you are employed by a school or academy trust and complete your training alongside real classroom experience.
This route is designed for aspiring primary teachers who want a practical, financially accessible pathway into the profession
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Considering training to become a teacher? One of the first questions you may ask is how much a teaching apprentice earns. The good news is that teaching apprenticeships are paid roles, meaning you earn a salary while working towards your degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
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A Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship allows you to train, earn a salary, and gain a full degree with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), all while working in a school.
This route is designed for aspiring primary teachers who want to learn on the job rather than follow a traditional full-time university pathway.