Becoming a teacher The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) is the national agency and recognised sector body responsible for the training and development of the school workforce. TDA play a central role in supporting the workforce to help children and young people meet the outcomes of the Every Child Matters agenda. Our guiding vision is: developing people, improving young lives. Teaching is an important and increasingly popular choice of career for all kinds of people. Whatever your circumstances - if you're still at school, about to graduate, or looking for a change of direction - there are more ways to enter the profession than ever before. So if you've decided to pursue a career in teaching. The next step is to plan for the best way to achieve your qualified teacher status (QTS), enabling you to teach across state-maintained schools across England and Wales. This almost always means completing a programme of initial teacher training (ITT). Initial teacher training helps you develop the skills you need to become an effective teacher. Anyone wanting to teach in England and Wales must complete initial teacher training (ITT). There are many different types of ITT course - the one you take will be specific to the age group and, if you want to teach at secondary level, the subject that you want to teach. All courses cover the principles of teaching along with practical experience in the classroom. There are several different ways you can complete your ITT: alongside a degree, straight after a degree, as a part-time course alongside work or as a full-time course. The option that is right for you will depend on your circumstances. You will need a degree and qualified teacher status (QTS) to become a teacher.