Kingsbridge EIP SCITT

Route 2: Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships 

Please note that the Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship Programme is only available to those already employed in a school. You will need your employer’s agreement to apply for this route.

Here at Kingsbridge EIP SCITT, we understand that you may already be working in a school that could support you through your teacher training year. We therefore offer a Level 6 Teaching Apprenticeship that can be completed at your school.  

You can specialise in Primary or a specific subject at  Secondary level.  

• Primary Programme (5-11) 

• Secondary Programme (11-16) with post 16 enhancement 

Our approach combines in-school experience, centre-based training and on-line tuition.  We also work with and equip trainees with the skills to work in an array of schools, including those in challenging circumstances. These experiences will ensure that you can teach high quality lessons and positively engage with pupils through their academic work as well as their pastoral experiences. 

It is vital that you discus this route with your school before you apply as the school have to employ you as an unqualified teacher in order for you to be eligible for the apprenticeship. 

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

Similar to School Direct (salaried) programmes, Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships are a new, nationally-recognised, work-based route into teaching. 

The weekly centre-based training will be based in Wigan (with the option for some delivery on the Wirral for Merseyside/Cheshire placements), and during the apprenticeship programme, the apprentice must successfully complete the ITT programme, leading to the recommendation for QTS. This will typically be at the end of the third term.

In addition to working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on successful completion of the course, apprentices will also complete an end point assessment (EPA) after the summer to consolidate learning from initial teacher training.

An assessor from an end-point assessment organisation (an accredited ITT provider who has been separate from the training process) conducts the assessment. The assessment has two components: a lesson observation and a professional discussion.

Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship is a programme that runs for up to 14 months and leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) whilst remaining in paid employment in school. Apprentices can specialise in Primary or a specific subject at Secondary level. Our blended learning approach combines in-school experience, centre-based training and online tuition.

During the apprenticeship programme, the apprentice must successfully complete the ITT programme, leading to the recommendation for QTS. This will typically be at the end of the third term.

Additional considerations for schools

1.  The apprentice must be released for ‘off the job’ training each Friday and enabled to complete a second training placement within another school environment.
2.  A suitably qualified mentor must be available to attend a series of mentor training and support the apprentice’s progress. From 2024 the mentor should hold the NPQLTD. 
3. The apprentice will go on to complete an end-point assessment in the forth term and should remain employed by the employing school until completion,.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Those applicants meeting the required standard by taking an equivalence test or by offering other evidence of attainment that intend to undertake the Post Graduate Teaching Apprenticeship (PGTA) will additionally need functional skills qualifications or equivalent qualifications at level 2 in mathematics and English to meet the apprenticeship gateway entry criteria.

Original certificates for your degree and GCSE subjects or equivalents, will need to be brought with you to the interview or produced as part of our safer recruitment induction arrangements. *If your qualifications were not gained in the UK, you can visit the National Academic Register Centre (NARIC) website to find out whether your qualifications are considered to be equivalent to UK GCSEs and degrees.

GRANT FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS (for schools)

The DfE has made some Grant Funding available to schools for priority secondary subjects; this will normally be used to support the apprentice’s salary.

 Below illustrates funding available for 2025/26.

 Postgraduate teaching apprenticeships 2025-26 Grants (source)

For the postgraduate teaching apprenticeship training route, we give grants to ITT providers to contribute to the trainee’s salary and training costs.

ITT providers are responsible for ensuring that all grant funding designated to support salary costs, reaches the employing school so that it can be used for its intended purpose.

This grant is in addition to funding available from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), which is for training and assessment costs only.

For 2025 to 2026, postgraduate teaching apprenticeship grants in chemistry, computing, mathematics, physics, French, German and Spanish are the same value as the bursary. In other subjects, the grant will continue to be £9,000 lower.

The additional funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) is available in all subjects.

Grants are paid on a per trainee basis. For 2025 to 2026 we are offering grants of:

• £29,000 for chemistry, computing, mathematics and physics
• £26,000 for French, German and Spanish (no other languages)
• £17,000 for other languages, biology, design and technology, and geography
• £1,000 for art and design, music and RE

Further guidance about postgraduate teaching apprenticeship funding is available in the postgraduate teaching apprenticeship funding manual.

SCHOOL FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS 

Salary Costs

The apprentice’s salary (+ on-costs) is the only cost which the school should incur. The apprentice is employed on the unqualified teachers’ pay scale (currently £19,340 at UT1 as of Sept 2022).

The training costs of the Teaching Apprenticeship will be funded directly from the apprenticeship levy account.

Training Costs

With Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship programmes, the apprentice won’t need to pay any tuition fees. The training cost of £9,000 per learner is funded through the employer’s levy / digital apprenticeship service (DAS) in accordance with our funding agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and apprenticeship offer. School should clarify the Levy contact before contacting Kingsbridge EIP SCITT. 

HEALTH CHECK

Before being accepted onto the course, all apprentice teachers must satisfy the DfE requirements with regards to fitness to teach. You will be required to complete a confidential medical questionnaire if you are offered a place on our training course*.

*This requirement is inline with the Department for Education's health and physical capacity to teach checks.

SAFEGUARDING CHECK

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) provides employers and other authorised organisations with details of an individual’s convictions, cautions, police reprimands and warnings held on the Police National Computer. You will not be permitted to begin your training without being in possession of an enhanced DBS with barred list check.

We will arrange for Tuition-fee students to apply for this check when you have been offered a place on one of our courses*.

Trainees are encouraged to take out the update service which costs £13 a year.

*This requirement is inline with the Department for Education's Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.

For trainees who have spent time overseas an  Overseas Police Check (where applicable) may also form the basis of your conditional offer to train to teach. 

More information can be obtained here

We will also check your identity against the DBS approved list of documents, most commonly:

• Passport
• Photo driving licence (UK)
• Utility bill or bank statement (dated in the last 3 months)

Right to Work in the UK Checks

• Valid or Expired UK/EU passport or
• Non-EU passport with visa and Biometric Residence Permit or
• EU National ID card or
• Full UK birth certificate and NI number or
• Certificate of Naturalisation and NI number

Barred List Check

• Checked as part the Enhanced DBS Check and then re-checked annually

Prohibition from Teaching Orders Check

• Checked against the DfE database

Childcare Disqualification (and Disqualification by Association) Check

• A signed declaration as part of the application process

Entry References (2 required) Check

• Most recent employer (from head, deputy or head of department)
• One other professional reference
• University tutor and references from school placements (work-based and volunteering)
• Non-school references and character references are accepted where you have not previously worked in schools.

PRICING 

With Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship programmes, the apprentice won’t need to pay any tuition fees. 

The training costs of the Teaching Apprenticeship are funded directly from the employers apprenticeship levy account.

The Apprenticeship Levy at the employing school can also be used to up skill appointed or unqualified staff.

HOW TO APPLY 

Applications are made via DfE Apply  

*Please note that the entry criteria has statutory force under The Education (School Teachers’ Qualifications) (England) Regulations 2003.

If your school would like more information please click here