Training Routes and Providers
The Department for Education has a highly developed online ecosystem to support schools and candidates to understand, access and apply for teacher training. Below we have signposted a range or key pages from their site for you to consult.
Supporting Teacher Training
- Get into Teaching Portal – A great starting point for schools and candidates that guides you to the appropriate information for your needs.
- Get into Teaching Events – Support your alumni and potential recruits to train by signposting local Get into Teaching Events. This page allows you to search by postcode for local sessions.
- How to become a Teacher – Step by step guide for those who want further information of all that is required to become a Teacher in England.
- Train to be a Teacher – Detailed information about all routes into teaching, including those for people who have not yet completed degrees.
- Non UK Citizens – information for non UK citizens interested in gaining QTS.
Supporting School Experience and Placements
- Create opportunities and find recruits – offering school experience placements is a great way to find talent and meet the colleagues of tomorrow. Use this page to register your school for single day school experience placements.
- Signpost the school experience portal – parents, colleagues, alumni might not know that the school experience portal exists. They can use this page to sign up for a school experience visit.
- DfE guidance for schools wanting to host placements – this page explains what is required of schools to host ITT placements and recruit the colleagues of the future.
Don’t forget, if your school wants to offer placements and get more involved in ITT provision, you can access support and guidance by completing our ‘Get Involved in ITT’ form: Get involved with ITT
We will support you to find the right ITT provider for your location and needs, even if it is outside of the West Midlands.
This tool, which takes only a couple of minutes to complete, is to state your interest in developing or strengthening your ITT partnerships. The primary way most schools support ITT is by offering placements. Depending on your submission, the West Midlands TSH Network will put you in touch with relevant local providers and contact you about opportunities that could support your school’s recruitment and ongoing development.
Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeships
Empowering Educators: Reflections on Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship
By Callum
I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the Teaching Higher Apprenticeship at the University of Staffordshire—a moment that prompted me to reflect on my own journey into teaching and the transformative power of this pathway.
Before stepping into education, my career was far from conventional. Like many, I started with A-Levels and went on to university, eventually moving into industry roles in retail and finance. I even ventured into entrepreneurship, running my own business and retail store. But it wasn’t until I worked in HR and Finance within an academy that I began exploring the pathways into teaching.
This realisation led me to spend a year as an unqualified teacher, delivering KS5 Business lessons. It was during that year that I discovered both the joy and the challenges of teaching. I then enrolled onto the Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship, completing the program with QTS and a Level 6 Educational Diploma. That apprenticeship was not just a qualification; it was the foundation of my teaching career.
The Key Benefits of the Teacher Apprenticeship
One of the most valuable aspects of the Teacher Apprenticeship is the support it provides in educational pedagogy. From the start, I was applying research-based teaching techniques in the classroom and learning how to adapt my practice through real-world experience. School-led CPD sessions complemented this learning, providing me with those intangible classroom skills and support from experienced colleagues.
A key differentiator of the teaching apprenticeship is that you are a classroom teacher from day one. I was part of the school community—not just a trainee, but a teacher with responsibilities, expectations, and the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with students and colleagues.
Progression and Opportunities
The apprenticeship opened doors I had never imagined. After qualifying, I was entrusted with middle leadership opportunities such as a More Able Lead Coordinator, taking on a Pastoral Lead role, and even leading the implementation of new curriculum plans to expand our department’s KS4 Business provision. These experiences culminated in my current role as Associate Assistant Principal. This is a testament to how this pathway supports long-term career growth within a national teacher recruitment crisis.
The Value of Staying in One School
Remaining at the same school throughout my apprenticeship and beyond was a key factor in my development. The continuity it provided allowed me to build rapports with staff and leaders. The trust and relationships I cultivated overtime gave me the confidence to take on leadership roles. It also pushed me to fully immerse myself in CPD opportunities tailored to our school’s provision and context.
For Leaders Considering the Teacher Apprenticeship
As educational leaders, we play a critical role in making the apprenticeship a success. Based on mine and others experiences, I would encourage schools to consider the following:
- Establish a robust in-house support framework. Trainees need access to structured CPD, a dedicated mentor, and guidance from an out-of-department mentor.
- Foster full engagement in school life. Encourage apprentices to participate in whole-school activities and events. This in return helps them feel part of the wider community.
- Provide flexibility during high-pressure periods. Facilitating time for assessments and deadlines shows understanding for trainee and staff well-being.
- Offer ongoing coaching opportunities. Continued coaching and professional development are critical even after trainees gain QTS.
- Focus on professional skills. Support trainees understand and embody school norms around professionalism, conduct and behaviour.
The Teacher Apprenticeship is more than a pathway into teaching—it’s a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Reflecting on my journey, I can say with confidence that it’s a program that equips educators to thrive and empowers schools to cultivate the leaders of tomorrow.
Resources, videos and guidance about Teacher Degree Apprenticeships can be found here:
Our ITT accredited providers can be found here (15 ITT providers across the West Midlands):
ITT Accredited Providers – Haybridge Teaching School Hub
To help you find the right partnership for your school’s needs, we recommend that you complete our form:
Our collaboration across the West Midlands is really important to us, and very powerful. You can find links to all West Midlands Teaching School Hubs below.
Consult the network website to find out more, or find your local hub through a DFE postcode search:
West Midlands Teaching School Hub Network
Home – Haybridge Teaching School Hub
Star Teaching School Hub Network
Coventry & Central Warwickshire Teaching School Hub – Home
Arthur Terry Teaching School Hub – West Mids Teaching School Hubs Network
Supporting the professional development of all teachers – The Golden Thread Teaching School
The Teaching School Hub | John Taylor Teaching School Hub
Home | Manor Teaching School Hub | CPD in Education
Shropshire and Telford Education Partnership – Home
Tudor Grange Teaching School Hub – West Mids Teaching School Hubs Network
To help you find the right partnership for your school’s needs, we recommend that you complete our form:
