Postgraduate teaching apprenticeships

The Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship (PGTA) offers aspiring teachers a unique opportunity to earn while they train, gaining hands-on experience in the classroom while receiving expert guidance. Apprentices benefit from a fully funded pathway to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and a salary, combining practical learning with academic study. This route equips apprentices with in-depth skills and confidence as they embark on their teaching careers.  

For schools, this apprenticeship provides a cost-effective way to grow a talented teaching workforce. It enables schools to attract passionate individuals, who contribute to the school community while learning. Schools also benefit from tailored training programs, creating staff with skills that directly meet the school’s needs.  

The National Institute of Teaching’s PGTA is a 12-month training programme that allows recruits to gain QTS and a teaching apprenticeship qualification, 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 off the job training.  

An apprenticeship is an excellent choice for those looking to gain hands-on experience while earning a qualification. For example, the PGTA allows individuals to work in schools while training as teachers, combining real-world classroom experience with academic learning.  

These apprenticeships are mutually beneficial, offering individuals a direct pathway to a rewarding career, while helping schools create sustainable talent pipelines and develop confident, capable leaders within their teams. 

We currently offer PGTA places to candidates who are currently working in the school or academy that will become their placement school. If you are a prospective candidate, please speak to your headteacher or principal in the first instance. You can share the below links with them. 

Register your school's interest

PGTA information for schools (link to NIoT webpage)

Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship (link to NIoT webpage)