The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship is a salaried, school-based Initial Teacher Training (ITT) route for graduates who are employed in a school. The programme combines classroom teaching experience with structured training and leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship on successful completion.
The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship is a school-based Initial Teacher Training (ITT) route for graduates who are employed in a school. You train while working, do not pay tuition fees, and, on successful completion, gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship.
What is the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship?
The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship allows you to train as a teacher while employed in a school.
As an apprentice teacher, you:
- Train in the classroom while working in a salaried role.
- Complete your training through a combination of school-based practice and taught sessions.
- Gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on successful completion.
- Gain a Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship on successful completion.
Tuition fees are funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or employer co-investment arrangements.
Who can apply for the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship?
The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship may be suitable if you are:
- A teaching assistant or member of support staff who wants to become a qualified teacher.
- An unqualified teacher who wants to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- A graduate or career-changer who has secured employment in a school before starting the programme.
To be eligible, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree with a minimum classification of 2:2.
- GCSE English and mathematics at grade 4 (C) or above.
- GCSE science at grade 4 (C) or above if you are applying for a Primary or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) route.
- Three years' UK residency.
[VERIFY: Confirm whether any additional eligibility requirements apply.]
What qualification will I gain?
If you successfully complete the programme, you will gain:
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), which qualifies you to teach in schools in England.
- A Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship.
QTS is sufficient for employment as a qualified teacher.
How is the programme delivered?
The programme combines employment in school with structured training.
You will typically:
- Work in your school for four days each week.
- Complete one day each week of training, delivered online or in person.
- Attend an induction.
- Complete a contrasting school placement, typically lasting six weeks during the second term.
- Undertake at least 20% off-the-job training throughout the programme.
Which phases and subjects can I train to teach?
Routes are available in:
Primary
- Age 3 to 7
- Age 5 to 11
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- Age 3 to 7
- Age 5 to 11
Secondary
Routes include:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing
- English
- French
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Spanish
All routes lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
[VERIFY: Confirm the current list of Secondary subjects available.]
What if I need to improve my subject knowledge before starting?
If you are applying for a Secondary subject and need to strengthen your subject knowledge, you may be required to complete a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course as a condition of entry.
Eligible trainees may also receive financial support through an SKE bursary.
Best Practice Network works with VIDLEARN to provide flexible Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses lasting between 8 and 28 weeks and supporting subject knowledge development up to A level standard.
Where will I be placed and what support will I receive?
Best Practice Network aims to arrange placements within approximately 45 minutes of your home.
During the programme, you will receive support from:
- A school-based mentor.
- A personal BPN tutor.
- Weekly core training sessions.
- Subject-specific training days.
- A placement coordinator who organises your contrasting school placement.
What are the costs and salary arrangements?
You do not pay tuition fees as an apprentice.
Funding arrangements and salary information may change over time. Please refer to the relevant programme information on the Best Practice Network website for the latest details.
[VERIFY: Add a link to the current programme page containing funding and salary information.]
What can I expect after qualifying?
Information about starting salaries and employment outcomes may change over time.
Please refer to the relevant programme information on the Best Practice Network website for the latest details.
[VERIFY: Add a link to the current programme page containing salary and employment outcome information.]
How strong is the provider network?
Best Practice Network states that:
- It has more than 500 partner schools that support local placements.
- Its Early Career Framework (ECF) provision has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
- All graduate teachers completing in the 2023/24 cohort secured employment for September.
[VERIFY: Confirm these statements remain current and suitable for publication.]