Significance
Introducing our Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship Route
As a group of providers we are excited to be working together to develop a range of programmes that will be available through the apprenticeship route. Initially we will be offering a postgraduate teacher apprenticeship from September 2024 in association with Staffordshire University. More details can be found HERE.
We are thrilled to be developing the route in conjunction with local schools. Our programme is therefore for the locality, and forms part of our ambition to enrich educational opportunities for all through our area-based initiatives.
Colleagues who have previously benefitted from the apprenticeship programme have told us that
The teaching apprenticeship is an outstanding and well-structured course to support anyone who is aspiring to get into teaching and not wanting to sacrifice a wage. The engaging content around educational pedagogy and supportive teacher network provided by SSTEC will set anyone up for a flying start in their teaching career.
The apprenticeship scheme which has helped my career progression. I felt more than ready to benefit from an NPQLT course. This increased my skill set and ability to take lead in educational teams and departments. This helped me to gain roles in More Able Provision, Pastoral Leadership and now a Senior Leadership related role.
You can listen HERE to a colleague who has previously benefitted from the apprenticeship route into teaching…
The Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship is an employment-based initial teacher training programme, which enables apprentice trainee teachers to develop professional skills in the classroom whilst demonstrating evidence towards meeting the Teachers Standards for Qualified Teacher Status.
· Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships are a nationally-recognised, work-based route into teaching.
· In addition to working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) on successful completion of the course, apprentices will also complete an end point assessment (EPA) to consolidate their learning.
· Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeships are available for prospective primary and secondary school teachers in England.
· Apprentices are employed by a school. In some cases, this may be a school where they are already working.
· Apprentices benefit from a combination of classroom teaching and off-the-job training as they work towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Questions
How does the Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship work?
The apprentice is employed by a school and is released for 20% of their time in order to benefit from training that supplements their practice.. A second school experience of 30 days enables the apprentice to benefit from a contrasting and complementary school setting, as required by the Department for Education.
During their apprenticeship, candidates generate a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours contained in the Teachers’ Standards to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and to be entered for the formal end-point assessment. This requires a lesson observation and a professional discussion based on the portfolio of evidence.
What are the training and employment costs?
The apprentice is employed by a school, and the school is responsible for all employment costs.
In terms of training, for employers with a payroll below £3 million: The Government will pay 95% of the cost of the apprenticeship training and assessment for apprentices of any age, for employers who will not be paying the apprenticeship levy. You may also be eligible for extra employer incentives. For employers with a payroll above £3 million: Since May 2017 employers are able to use their Apprenticeship Levy contributions towards the cost of the apprenticeship using their digital account.
How do schools support a candidate through this route?
The school:
· must be able to provide support in developing the apprentice as a practitioner and in compiling the Portfolio of Evidence.
· provides a contract of employment for the full duration of the programme in accordance with either the unqualified or qualified teacher’s pay scales
· ensures an enhanced disclosure DBS check is carried out prior to employment
· provides the opportunity within the programme for the apprentice to achieve a balance of teaching across the two relevant consecutive age ranges •
· ensures that the teaching timetable is phased in, at an appropriate rate to match the apprentice’s previous experience, to reach no more than 90% of a normal teacher’s timetable for the days of teaching
· does not require the apprentice to do cover for colleagues
· enables the apprentice to have teaching experience in two schools, across the full age and ability range of training (the school will be required to make arrangements for the apprentice to spend a minimum of 30 days in a second school).
· releases the apprentice from school to attend all training days
· assigns a mentor who will regularly meet with and advise the apprentice.
Resources.
For more information please visit:
https://www.staffs.ac.uk/apprenticeships/courses/teacher-apprenticeship-level-6 https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/teacher-v1-0 https://www.ucas.com/explore/industry-guides/education-teaching-and-childcare