The Gordon Brown government announced in March 2009 that they would introduce fast-track career change into teaching for existing professionals, cutting conversion time to 6 months. It didn't materialise quite like that. There is indeed an "accelerated route to qualified teacher status", but it is a course offered only via one institution, the Institute of Education in London, and it is only available in the subjects of maths, ICT, and science. You would have to have a degree in one of those subjects. The course awards qualified teacher status, but it is not the academic qualification that is a PGCE. This state of affairs constitutes a pilot scheme, whereafter availability of "accelerated route" courses may expand. Or not.

So, back to the traditional routes, The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) is responsible for administering the training of new and existing teachers in England, but will direct potential candidates to the Department for Education - Get into Teaching website, which itself points applicants to UCAS. Most postgraduate PGCE course applications are made via UCAS Teacher Training (formerly the Graduate Teacher Training Registry) where you can search courses and submit applications (the link is below).

The Department for Education - Get into Teaching site provides guidance on school-led (on-the-job) or university-led training. The school-led path is a good choice for 'mature' people who want to change to a teaching career but need to continue earning while they train. The slightly chicken and egg scenario here is that you first have to find a school willing to employ you. But, "Across the country, there are school-led training options for both graduates and career changers who want hands-on training in a school." (see site link below).

For a commentary on the different teaching sectors see:

• Teaching - State Secondary School
• Teaching - State Primary School
• Teaching - Public School
• Teaching - Preparatory School
• Teaching Law