PGTA Programme Overview
Our apprentices follow the Exchange Teacher Training curriculum.
Training for apprentices begins on 1 September 2025 with our two-day Induction Conference, with enrolment taking place in August. Apprentices start their placements in school in the first week in September, working a 60-80% timetable (of their 4 days in school). All candidates must be released for centre training weekly on Mondays and will also complete several weeks of a contrasting school placement in the spring term.
Qualifications gained
Apprentices will be recommended for QTS by early July 2026, and complete their end point assessment for the apprenticeship in the Autumn Term. We strongly recommend that all apprentices undertake a PGCE and the fee of £1545 must be funded by the apprentice or by the school. PGCE is subject to validation by Sheffield Hallam University.
Salary grants available
Grant funding is available to contribute to the costs of employing trainees on postgraduate teaching apprenticeship courses in shortage subjects:
- £28,000 for chemistry*, computing*, mathematics* and physics*
- £25,000 for French*, German* and Spanish*
- £16,000 for biology, design and technology, and geography
- £1,000 for art and design, English, music and RE
* highlighted subjects are funded more generously through the PGTA than the salaried school-direct route. Other subjects are comparable.
Training During the Apprenticeship
The formal training is delivered by Exchange Teacher Training in conjunction with the employer. The training plan explains who is delivering what and how it links together. The apprentice will be assigned a dedicated mentor who is experienced enough to support the training and offer guidance to the apprentice. Mentor requirements for the Teacher Apprenticeship are the same as for our initial teacher training programme.
Assessment
The apprenticeship programme defines the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours the apprentice acquires during training. These are supported and assessed by a Lead Mentor. They will visit the apprentice regularly in their place of work and speak to them and their mentor about their progress. They are also able to provide further training and resolve any issues that may arise.
At the end of your apprenticeship, an independent assessor will visit you at your place of work to evaluate your Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours against those defined in the apprenticeship standard. This is the End Point Assessment (EPA) and marks the completion of your apprenticeship.