AI Practitioner:
Apprentice Journey
This 14 month Level 4 apprenticeship fits around your role in a school or trust. You will learn through structured online sessions and applied tasks, with regular support from your apprenticeship tutor and protected time for off the job learning.
A substantial workplace project runs throughout, so you are applying what you learn to a real operational challenge from early on and building evidence for assessment as you go.
Scroll down to explore each stage of your apprenticeship journey in more detail.
1. Getting started
Your apprenticeship begins with a structured induction. You will meet your apprenticeship tutor, understand how the programme works and agree how your off the job learning will be protected within your working week.
Together, you will review your current role, responsibilities and development goals. This helps ensure the apprenticeship is aligned to your day to day work, not something separate from it.
You will also be introduced to the assessment model, how evidence is gathered and how your workplace project will sit at the centre of the programme.
🔍Click to view the Programme Structure🔍
2. Building your knowledge and confidence
In the early months, you will develop strong foundations in:
- core AI concepts and terminology
- how automation tools work in practice
- data quality and information governance
- safeguarding, GDPR and ethical use of AI
- risk awareness and responsible decision making
Sessions are delivered through blended learning, combining live online workshops, guided tasks and applied activities linked to your role.
You will not be expected to have a technical background. The focus is on practical understanding and safe application.
Throughout this stage, your tutor will check in regularly through one to one reviews. These meetings help you reflect on progress, plan next steps and stay on track with your evidence.
3. Shaping your workplace project
Once you have built the foundations, you will identify a genuine operational challenge within your setting.
With tutor support, you will:
- analyse current processes
- identify inefficiencies or risks
- define a clear problem statement
- agree measurable outcomes
- review compliance and safeguarding considerations
You and your employer will formally agree the scope of your substantial workplace project. This project becomes the central thread of your apprenticeship.
4. Designing and implementing change
As the programme progresses, you will apply each module directly to your project.
You will:
- map and redesign workflows
- build and test automation solutions
- apply AI tools in a controlled and responsible way
- document your technical decisions and safeguards
- engage stakeholders and communicate change clearly
Your tutor remains closely involved, providing feedback, challenge and guidance. You are not left to figure it out alone.
Learning sessions continue alongside this work, helping you strengthen areas such as project management, stakeholder engagement and evaluating impact.
5. Ongoing support and progress reviews
Every apprentice has regular progress reviews involving you, your tutor and your employer. These ensure:
- your workload remains manageable
- your off the job learning is protected
- your project remains appropriately scoped
- you are developing the required knowledge, skills and behaviours
You will build a structured portfolio of evidence throughout the programme. Your tutor will guide you on what to include and how to demonstrate competence clearly.
6. Demonstrating your competence
Assessment is integrated into the programme.
Your workplace project forms the core of your assessment. You will evaluate its impact against the success measures you set at the beginning and reflect on ethical, technical and organisational considerations.
The final stage includes a professional discussion linked to your project and portfolio. This is an opportunity to explain your decisions, demonstrate your understanding and evidence your growth.
Throughout this stage, your tutor will check in regularly through one to one reviews. These meetings help you reflect on progress, plan next steps and stay on track with your evidence.
7. Completing the apprenticeship
At the end of the 14 month programme, you will have:
- delivered a substantial improvement within your organisation
- developed practical capability in AI and automation
- demonstrated safe and ethical practice
- achieved a nationally recognised Level 4 qualification
You will finish with evidence you can explain clearly, confidence in your technical judgement and experience of leading structured digital improvement from start to finish.
8. What happens after you complete the apprenticeship
Completing the apprenticeship marks the beginning of the next stage of your professional development.
By the end of the programme, you will have delivered a substantial, evidence based improvement within your setting and achieved a nationally recognised Level 4 qualification. You will be able to demonstrate practical capability in AI and automation, responsible decision making and structured project delivery.
From here, you may choose to:
- take on greater responsibility within your current role
- move into positions such as AI Coordinator, Digital and AI Lead, Automation and Systems Lead or Digital Transformation Lead
- lead further improvement projects across your school or trust
- support colleagues in developing safe and effective use of AI
You may also progress onto higher level study, depending on your role and aspirations. This could include Level 5 or Level 6 leadership or digital programmes, or specialist pathways focused on data, systems or operational leadership.
Whatever direction you choose, you will leave the programme with recognised credentials, practical experience and the confidence to contribute meaningfully to how AI and automation are used in education.
Apply now for the next intake!
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To apply, you should have at least two years of leadership experience within an Early Years setting.
Question 1: Do you have at least two years of leadership experience within an Early Years setting?
To apply, you must have a minimum of a Level 4 or Level 5 qualification, such as a diploma or other apprenticeship.
Question 2: Do you have a minimum of a Level 4 or Level 5 qualification?