Teacher Degree Apprenticeship

This innovative apprenticeship route allows for the first time an apprentice to train for 4 year within your school to gain their degree with QTS and  become a Primary school teacher. At Level 5 they will have a contrasting placement in another school.

This apprenticeship degree which is built on our prestigious knowledge, experience and history of delivering undergraduate ITE course, where trainees are supported to achieve.

Apprentices will become part of your community whilst also attending University seminars, lectures and sessions. This apprenticeship is a 60% on the job training and 40% off the job training. Where on average they will attend University 1 day a week. 

TDA Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• GSCE English (Language/Literature) and GCSE Maths grade 4 or grade C as a minimum, or a standard equivalent to this. Primary ITE applicants also require GCSE Science grade 4 or grade C as a minimum, or a standard equivalent to this. Applicants not having grade 4 or an equivalent qualification, can demonstrate they meet this entry requirement by taking a GCSE equivalency test. â€‹
• UCAS Points 64, which include 2 A levels at Grade C or Level 3 Teaching Assistant Qualification. Credit may be given where the candidate has substantive successful experience of working in a primary school.
• DBS - All teacher apprentices will need to complete DBS prior to starting the course which will be the responsibility of the employer. You will be required to share evidence of this with the university
• Occupational Health Check - Health and physical capacity to train to teach: Your employer will need to confirm that they have carried out this check.
• Interview - You will be required to be interviewed in person with the employing school and the University

Postgraduate teacher Apprenticeship

The Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship is a 11-month training programme that allows recruits to gain QTS and teaching apprenticeship qualification, whilst remaining in paid employment in your school.

Apprenticeships  can be offered in  primary or secondary subject.  (Some secondary subjects can also take advantage of the DFE grant funding)

The course combines in-school experience with University off –the-job based training. Which includes a second school experience to develop a diverse knowledge of pedagogy and practice.

This route is a wonderful opportunity for your school to access your levy to fund the training of an excellent teachers.

 

Teaching Apprenticeships

Investing in Future Teachers

Equalitas works in partnership with schools to deliver transformative teacher training across both Primary and Secondary phases.

Trainees specialise in subjects and phases that shape futures. In Secondary, this includes English, History, Science, Geography, Maths and PE. In Primary, trainees develop expertise across the full curriculum while building strong foundations in early reading, writing and mathematics.

Each trainee is based in their placement school for the full academic year, applying expert-led training directly to their classroom practice.

Equalitas offers multiple funding routes, including School Direct (Salaried), School Direct (Tuition Fee), and the Teaching Apprenticeship Programme. These routes support schools in developing high-quality teachers while managing workforce planning and costs.

All trainees join the Equalitas Community of Transformers, a shared programme shaped by subject and phase specialists, united by a clear mission to improve education for every child.

Why train with Equalitas?

• Join a Community of Experts committed to improving outcomes for every young person
• Develop trainees with strong subject knowledge and phase-specific pedagogy, grounded in a carefully sequenced curriculum
• Ensure trainees learn to teach with depth, purpose and disciplinary understanding
• Combine in-school experience with expert-led training, enabling immediate classroom application
• Build long-term capacity through a rigorous, school-aligned training model

Available funding routes

Teaching Apprenticeship Programme

• Funding: £9,000 in apprenticeship fees is paid using your school’s Apprenticeship Levy
• Grant Support (2026): £29,000 for Maths, Chemistry, Physics; £5,000 for Geography and Biology
• Eligibility: Trainees are employed in your school for one academic year and paid on the Unqualified Teacher Pay Scale

School Direct (Salaried)

• Funding: Your school employs the trainee as an unqualified teacher and pays their salary
• Fees: £8,500 paid by the school
• Grant Support (2026): £29,000 for Maths, Chemistry, Physics; £5,000 for Geography and Biology
• Eligibility: Graduate trainees are employed full-time for one academic year

School Direct (Tuition Fee)

• Fees: £7,200 (£6,000 + VAT), with an optional disbursement of £2,000 (maximum total £9,200)
• Eligibility: Trainees are placed in your school and can access a tuition fee loan
   

One Programme. One Purpose.

All trainees, regardless of phase or funding route, join an Equalitas-led cohort.

Secondary trainees benefit from subject-specific communities led by expert subject leads. Primary trainees train within a phase-specific cohort guided by Primary Phase Leads and curriculum specialists.

Across both phases, trainees are supported by school mentors, subject tutors and programme leads. This shared structure ensures that every trainee develops the knowledge, habits and professional judgement needed to improve outcomes and contribute meaningfully to their school community.

Course details

• Programme length: 1 academic year
• Next cohort start date: 26 August 2026
• Qualification: QTS + Level 6 PGTA
• Salary: £21,731 to £27,252
• Structure: 4 days per week in school, 1 day of expert-led training
• Secondary: 14 in-person training days in central London
• Primary: 22 in-person training days in central London
• Support: In-school mentors and Equalitas subject and phase specialists
• Secondary subjects include: English, Science, Mathematics, History, Geography and PE

Find out more

Discover more at www.equalitas.co.uk or speak directly with our team.

Equalitas Admissions Team - teachertraining@equalitas.co.uk

Teach First Training Programme

Cost: You do not pay tuition fees

Salary: Yes

Funding available: No

Length of training: 2 years

Available for: Early years, primary & secondary

Qualification: PGDE with QTS

Teach First is a UK charity supporting schools to build a fair education for all, working with schools in the areas of greatest need.

Programme:

Summer Institute: An intensive five-week course over the summer before you start in school, Summer Institute will get you ready for a class full of expectant pupils.

During Summer Institute you’ll:

• Learn the theory and practice of education and how to manage a classroom
• Grow your knowledge of the curriculum and your subject/phase
• Get to know other trainees, your support roles and your university tutors

Your first year:

From day one you’ll be in the classroom, starting with 60% of a fully qualified teacher’s timetable (80% for secondary). Plus you’ll earn an unqualified teacher’s salary.

You’ll spend most of your time in school but also attend training days and conferences run by Teach First. You’ll build your knowledge of teaching theory, get more practical training and network with other trainees. Throughout the programme you’ll be supported, trained and assessed by a Teach First expert, a mentor at your school and a university tutor. Teach First has links with Canterbury Christ Church University.

Once you complete your first year on the programme, you’ll have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and be part-way to your Postgraduate Diploma in Education and Leadership (PGDE).

Your second year:

Now a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT), your salary will go up to the teachers main pay range. You’ll be teaching a full timetable and may have the opportunity to further build your leadership credentials with responsibilities such as:

• Becoming a subject or year leader
• Mentoring pupils as they think about what to do after school
• Running a club that helps pupils aim higher and achieve more

During the year you’ll complete the final two modules of your PGDE. Teach First will still be there supporting you alongside your school and university, through training days, conferences and one-to-one support

After the Training Programme:

With you PGDE you can work anywhere, at home or abroad, as a teacher. You’ll also be part-way to a master’s degree which you can complete part-time should you choose to over your third year in the classroom.

On top of that, you’ll be a Teach First ambassador and part of a 10,000-strong ambassador network.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for the Teach First Training Programme, you need:

• A 2.1 degree or above (2.2 degrees will also be considered)
• A degree or A-levels related to the primary curriculum/ the subject you will be teaching
• Grade C/4 or equivalent in GCSE maths and English for secondary teaching. Grade C/4 in one GCSE science in also required in addition to maths and English for primary and early years teaching.

More information on the Teach First Training Programme can be found here.

Currently working in a school? If your school is eligible for partnership with Teach First, then your headteacher can nominate you for the Teach First Training Programme, meaning you can complete the programme in your current school.  Your headteachers nomination will show you’ve got the potential to be a great teacher and that’s why you’ll be offered a fast-tracked place on our programme.

More information on the Teaching Assistant Fast Track can be found here.