Advice for a graduate looking to train in secondary (PGCE/QTS)

[NameChangedForThisPostx]

I'm asking on behalf of someone else and don't want anything I say here or anyone advises to be identifiable or affect their career chances, so changed user name and tried to be as vague as possible.

They are in the final year of Computing Degree and over the past year gradually decided to train to be a secondary computing teacher.

They have a little experience in school (has been invigilating GCSE's for 2 years, including providing additional needs support). They have also been coaching in a specialist sport for about 3 years, leading sessions for groups of 10-15 teens (also younger ages), and has been responsible for the syllabus/lesson planning for all the coaches for the last year. They coach for over 12 hours a week so are relatively well experienced. They are also used to kids that don't want to be there but are being made to ... so it's not just coaching the willing.

Unfortunately the local universities don't offer Secondary PGCE in Computing and they don't want to move away. Only a couple of local schools advertise PGCE, the other are just QTS. They would prefer PGCE.

My questions are more concerns. I'm concerned that if tied in to one school, the ethos/management of that school is critical as to whether or not they'll be well supported and mentored, or thrown in at the deep-end and allowed to flounder/fail.
What questions can they ask at interview to identify a good school when they're all trying to sell themselves? How do you as teachers recognise a supportive school?
Is QTS enough - would PGCE be better?
Why, when there is such a demand (supposedly) for computing teachers would it be so limited in where would offer PGCE for this?
If secondary schools advertise PGCE +QTS but local universities don't offer that subject, how does that work?
Teach First offer an alternative PGCE route through schools - does anyone have experience of this they'd be willing to share?

With respect to experience, they have been offered going in to their old school to observe lessons. They also plan to ask at the school where they invigilate. Is there anything else you'd suggest?

They are already in touch with Get Into Teaching but that seems to be just about streamlining the process.

I’m sure there’s a website that lists all the training opportunities? This any good?

https://find-teacher-training-courses.service.gov.uk/

Why, when there is such a demand (supposedly) for computing teachers would it be so limited in where would offer PGCE for this?

Because there aren't any computing teachers in schools to train the trainees. Neither universities nor schools can train people if there are no school placements with teachers willing to be mentors.

PGCE is the academic qualification but QTS is what you legally need to teach. I've never heard of schools just offering a QTS qualification without the PGCE though, what is the name of the training route you are looking at?

My school is part of a group of training schools that run teacher training without a university link, the student teachers more or less do the same course / essays / presentations as the local unis and are also awarded PGCE & QTS.

The person you are writing about has lots of appropriate experience to get on to the course. We've had trainees in the last few years with absolutely no relevant experience - one had never even been into a UK school before!

It sounds like they already have a great foundation from coaching and invigilation — that experience will really help with classroom management and planning.
PGCE vs QTS

• QTS alone is enough to teach in state schools.
• PGCE adds 60 master’s credits and can help if they want to work abroad or move into leadership later, but it’s not essential for getting a first job.

Choosing a supportive school
At interview, they can ask:

• “How is trainee mentoring structured?”
• “How much protected training time is there each week?”
• “How have previous trainees progressed?”

Also, check recent Ofsted reports for clues on leadership and staff support.
Why PGCEs are limited
Local unis may lack specialist tutors, so many schools partner with other providers or SCITTs to deliver PGCE + QTS.
Teach First
A faster, more intense route — good for confident trainees but can feel overwhelming if you want gradual exposure.
Building experience
Observing lessons is a great idea — try shadowing computing teachers specifically to get a feel for different approaches.For graduation gift visit here.

Thank you for your replies, it has helped explain a lot. I've forwarded your replies.
The non-PGCE routes to QTS seem to be school based and were listed through a local search on the Get Into Teaching website.

Sorry for the late response, I didn't get any notifications from Mumsnet to know that there had been any replies.