Tes Institute Blog
Welcome to the Tes Institute blog where you can find teaching tips, advice and guidance for teachers and those thinking of joining the classroom.
![Lisa Rushton who is studying for her level 3 apprenticeship through Tes Institute](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2025-02/Lisa%20Rushton%20image%20NAW25.png)
A learner’s story: Lisa Rushton
Hear from Lisa Rushton, who has been taking her level 3 apprenticeship through Tes Institute while working at Sandfield Close Primary School in Leicester.
![A Level 3 Teaching Assistant sitting around a table with 3 children](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2024-12/What-is-a-level-3-teaching-assistant-blog-DS79179.png)
What is a Level 3 Teaching Assistant (TA)?
The Level 3 Teaching Assistant qualification is a fantastic opportunity to learn as you earn and get practical work experience if you have a passion in supporting children and young learners in education. Developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours to be the best version of yourself in a role that makes a difference to children's lives.
![A teacher instructing students in a classroom setting.](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2024-05/Institute%20How%20to%20become%20a%20TA%20classroom%20student%20desk%20DS69424%20-%20White%20background_0.png)
How to become a teaching assistant (TA)
In this article, we’ll cover what teaching assistants (TAs) do in their day-to-day role, how you can become a teaching assistant and the skills and qualifications you need to start your career as a teaching assistant.
![QTS-scenarios](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2023-11/DS13374%20Blog%20Post%20Img%201412x794.png)
Straight to Teaching: a personalised preparation course for QTS
Do you have talented TAs, HTLAs, unqualified teachers or other support staff that you know could become great teachers? Our Straight to Teaching course is a unique professional development programme that supports suitable school staff to gain QTS while they continue to work at your school.
![Sharpe Interchange launch event](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2023-08/DS7062%20iQTS%20Blog%20Post%20Img%201412x794%20v1.png)
Tes Institute partner with Sharp Interchange to deliver iQTS in Thailand
Following on from the DfE’s successful pilot roll-out of iQTS in 2022, and the launch of our very own International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS) course in May 2023, we’re proud to announce our partnership with Sharp Interchange to deliver iQTS to teachers in Thailand.
![Teacher holding guide to promote ITT](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2023-09/DS13374%20Blog%20Post%20Img%201412x794%20v1.png)
How to promote your Initial Teacher Training course
As recruitment for trainee teachers becomes increasingly challenging, it’s ever more important that – as a teacher training provider – you use every opportunity to promote yourself and your training courses.
![Teacher's Apprenticeship feedback](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2023-09/DS54864%20Your%20trusted%20partner%20for%20teaching%20apprenticeships%201412x794%20v1.png)
Tes Institute: Your trusted partner for teaching apprenticeships
When it comes to embarking on a teaching apprenticeship, finding the right training provider is crucial. At Tes we've been supporting schools and teachers for over 100 years. Today, Tes Institute provides flexible, high-quality training and unwavering support to teachers and teaching staff in England and worldwide.
![Teacher Training with pupils](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2023-09/DS13374%20Routes%20into%20Teaching%20ITT%20Blog%20Post%20Img%201412x794%20v1.png)
School Direct is now Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
In line with efforts to enhance training and professional development for teaching staff, the UK government have announced that the school-centred initial teacher training (ITT) route, School Direct, has been renamed and is now called Initial Teacher Training (ITT).
![New graduates jumping for joy with their MA certificates](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2024-11/DS20487%20MA%20-%20unlock%20-%20Blog%20Post%20Img%201412x794%20v1b.png)
Unlocking career opportunities with an MA in education
If you’re considering an MA in education, either as a recent undergraduate or an educator with some years of experience, you’ll want to know whether the course is worth the investment.
The best online programmes for Master’s in education will not only give you a deep understanding of the latest developments in teaching theory and practice, they’ll also have a positive impact on your career prospects.
Whether you work as a teacher or in a wider educational role outside the classroom, in this blog you'll discover how an MA in education could help you.
The best online programmes for Master’s in education will not only give you a deep understanding of the latest developments in teaching theory and practice, they’ll also have a positive impact on your career prospects.
Whether you work as a teacher or in a wider educational role outside the classroom, in this blog you'll discover how an MA in education could help you.
![Nguyen Sieu School and Tes Institute signing ceremony](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2023-06/DS51336%20Nguyen%20Sieu%20School%20blog%20image%201412x794%20v3.jpg)
Tes Institute partners with Nguyen Sieu Bilingual School
We’re proud to be partnering with Nguyen Sieu School to provide our International Postgraduate Certificate in Education (iPGCE) to teachers in Vietnam returning from the UK, America and Australia who wish to enter into the teaching profession.
![Teacher searching the world for IQTS](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2023-05/DS70623%20New%20institute%20course%20iQTS%20-%20Blog%20Post%20Img%201412x794%20v1.png)
Become a qualified teacher anywhere in the world with iQTS
We’re excited to be launching a new route to becoming a qualified teacher for teaching staff living and working outside the UK. Our International Qualified Teacher Status (iQTS) course offers a flexible and accessible way for learners from anywhere in the world to gain English qualified teacher status (QTS) backed by the UK government's Department for Education (DfE).
![SEN teacher supporting pupils in class](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2023-05/DS26505-%20Straight%20to%20Teaching%20-%20how%20to%20become%20an%20SEN%20teacher%201412x794.jpg)
How to become a SEN teacher
If you want to become a special needs teacher at a SEN or SEND school, you’re probably already aware of how rewarding an experience it can be. There are challenges, of course, but the teaching experiences can be some of the most memorable and gratifying.
![Teacher with QTS certificate](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2023-04/DS26505%20S2T%20Bluebell%20graduates%20story%20blog%201412x794%20v3.png)
Straight to Teaching: a graduate’s story
Our QTS preparation course Straight to Teaching helps school staff to become qualified teachers while they continue to work in their current school. We caught up with Straight to Teaching graduate, Shereen Proctor of Bluebell School, to find out about her experience.
![Teachers taking steps in their career](https://assets.tes.com/marketing/s3fs-public/images/2023-04/DS26505%20Blog%20update%20QTS%20-%20approach%20headteacher%20-%20Blog%201412x794%20v1a.png)
Ofsted endorses Tes Institute’s Level 3 TA apprenticeship
Our apprenticeship programme has been commended by Ofsted inspectors following an initial monitoring visit.