Arranging your references

Choosing your referees

You'll need to supply contact details for 2 referees with your application form. This is a compulsory part of the application process and you will not be able to submit your application without them.

Choose referees who’ll endorse your:

teaching passion and potential
suitability to work with children
academic abilities
reliability and professionalism

Suitable referees include:

your current line manager at work
previous employers
a teacher at a school where you work or volunteer
your university tutor or supervisor
a supplier or client you’ve worked with (if you’re self-employed)

Referees should not be family members, partners or friends. Training providers will only accept character references if there’s also an academic or professional reference.

If you're applying for a School Direct (salaried) course, one of your references must be from an employer.

If you're struggling to find suitable referees, you can:

contact one of your chosen training providers for advice
register with us for support with your teacher training application

Apply for teacher training

You can apply for a training place via UCAS, or by using a new GOV.UK service called Apply for teacher training. We’ll help you choose the service that’s right for you.

Interviews for teacher training vary from provider to provider but can take place over the course of a full day, and feature a variety of questions and assessments – so make sure you’re prepared with our helpful guide.

Need help with the application process?

Receive practical advice and guidance from our team of experienced teachers via our free Teacher Training Adviser service.

Secondary school teaching

17 August 2020 - 19:00

This online event will provide advice on all things secondary teaching. It will offer helpful hints and tips on the different training options available and how to choose the right option for you.