The United Synagogue

Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP)

What is the Graduate Teacher Programme?

The Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) is a one year full-time postgraduate programme leading to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). It is an employment-based route into teaching. This makes it possible for schools to employ teachers who are not yet qualified and support them through an individual training programme leading to Qualified Teacher Status.

In certain circumstances the GTP can be completed in less than a year.
The programme is designed for individuals who are best-suited to on-the-job training or for those who are unable to return to fulltime study due to personal commitments. Furthermore, the programme allows those who have gained valuable experience in previous professions to bring their various skills into teaching.

To be eligible for admission to the programme trainees must meet the academic entry requirements of the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) and have the support of a school in which they are employed or will be employed during the programme.

Why Train With Us?

When you choose the Agency for Jewish Education, you can be sure your programme is recognized as high standard. You can expect thorough professional training in our Jewish Day schools. You will also receive support for your teaching career, the chance to develop confidence in your teaching and good employment prospects as a newly qualified teacher.


  • We are the only TDA accredited UK Jewish training provider of employment-based routes (EBR) to QTS.

  • We are a small provider and can therefore offer a personal level of support for your training.

  • We provide the GTP for both primary and secondary phases.

  • We have excellent links with our Jewish schools for training. There are currently some 40 maintained Jewish day schools in England. Although our prime partners are situated in the Greater London area, we also train in the Manchester area.

  • We have a wide experience of initial teacher training. We have been involved in Employment Based Routes to QTS from their inception.

  • We train excellent teachers. Headteachers of Jewish day schools consider graduates from the AJE as having been well trained for their work in school.

  • We have high quality programmes. Ofsted inspections have confirmed that our teacher training is of high quality and prepares students effectively for their career in school.

  • We will enable you to grow in academic and professional confidence. Whatever your starting point in terms of school and academic experience we will provide the opportunities for you to develop and excel.

  • In our main North-West London location, Graduate Teachers have access to a well-resourced library and up-to-date IT facilities.

  • We provide a weekly programme of centre-based courses for our primary trainees.

  • We organise a relevant programme for General Professional Studies for our secondary trainees.

  • As a staff we continually review our provision to ensure that we stay up-to-date with current theories and practice in education.



Entry Requirements

The Agency for Jewish Education is responsible for ensuring that applicants meet the requirements for entry into Initial Teacher Training.

All GTP applicants require:

A UK bachelor's degree or equivalent (for Primary, this can be in any subject)
English and Maths GCSE at Grade C or above (or equivalent qualifications)
For Primary, applicants will also need a science subject at GCSE grade C or above (or equivalent qualification).

Please note:
1. There is no minimum age requirement for entry onto the Graduate Teacher Programme. However, the Agency would welcome applicants of a mature age.

2. If your qualifications have been gained abroad, please contact 'NARIC' for verification at: www.naric.org.uk


Entry Points

We have two main entry points - September for primary and secondary GTs and January for secondary GTs only.

For a September 2008 start, all completed applications must be received by 15th January 2008.

However, we recommend that applications be made well before this date.

Applicants who have had no recent contact with schools will be required to spend at least two weeks observing teachers and contributing to class teaching before applying for a place on the programme.


The Employing School

The Graduate Teacher Programme is an employment-based route therefore the majority of training is based in and managed by the employing school. This must include substantial experience of whole class teaching across the age range in which the trainee wishes to qualify and must include experience in two consecutive key stages.


For More Information and an application form, please contact:

Esti Cukier
Email: esti@aje.org.uk