OU in Wales welcomes new incentives for trainee teachers

The Open University in Wales has welcomed a Welsh Government announcement of increased support for trainee teachers.

The plans include new financial support for students, more flexible entry requirements, and an increase of annual places on the salaried post-graduate certificate in education (PGCE) route from 120 to 160 in 2023-24

Since 2020, the OU in Wales has offered a PGCE for graduates across Wales. Students on the programme study part-time, through the medium of English or Welsh, and at a primary or secondary level. Some students are already employed at partner schools, while others work elsewhere and are taking their first steps into education. The PGCE leads to qualified teacher status (QTS).

‘The government’s announcement is great news for the teaching profession in Wales,’ said Sarah Stewart, Director of the OU in Wales’ PGCE programme. ‘The added incentives and the additional places will open the profession up to more people – which is a good thing for our pupils, schools and communities.

‘Since our part-time PGCE course started, we’ve helped hundreds of students begin their teaching journey, and over a hundred are now working as teachers in schools across Wales. The innovative way we teach means that we’re attracting students from all walks of life, including career changers alongside recent graduates. As well as offering the chance of an exciting career, it’s also bringing new skills and life experiences to the profession.’

The OU in Wales’ graduation ceremony earlier this month saw the first cohort of PGCE students graduate since the programme was introduced.