Initial Teacher Training (ITT)

Yes. Any offer of a place is conditional upon satisfactory Occupational Health clearance, a DBS check, and completion of mandatory safeguarding training.

To support your teacher training journey, Best Practice Network assesses all Fee-Funded ITT applicants to identify any occupational health requirements and reasonable adjustments that may be needed to successfully complete the programme.

Best Practice Network will fund Occupational Health assessment Categories A and B. Where a Category C Management Referral Assessment is required, applicants will be responsible for meeting the cost of the assessment. Applicants should therefore be aware of this potential requirement before accepting a place on the programme.

In addition:

It must be understood that any reasonable adjustments agreed and accepted by the ITT provider are for the purpose of undertaking initial teacher training. Best Practice Network cannot guarantee that the same adjustments would be deemed reasonable or available in future employment. Where there is concern that proposed adjustments may not be considered reasonable within future teaching employment, applicants will be informed before training commences.

To be eligible for our Initial Teacher Training programme, you must have the right to study and work in the UK. If you require a visa to study or work in the UK, unfortunately, we cannot sponsor visas.

Qualifications achieved outside of the United Kingdom (including Ireland) will need to be verified via UK ENIC through a comparability statement. If you need an ENIC for your bachelor’s degree, you will need to have this before you apply. If you need help, our expert team can assist you with this. 

You'll need to apply for an equivalency GCSE.

We accept equivalency tests from: 

• A Star Equivalency www.astarequivalency.co.uk

• Equivalency Testing www.equivalencytesting.co.uk 
• Maths Made Easy www.mathsmadeeasy.co.uk 

 (This will be at your own cost). 

If you also have non-UK GCSE equivalent examinations, send all of your certificates together. 

(This will be at your own cost). 

No. Although these are Level 2 qualifications, as are GCSEs, they do not cover the same breadth of knowledge so cannot be accepted as equivalent to a GCSE.  

During the programme, you will complete placements at two local schools: a host school where you'll train for 30 weeks, and a contrasting placement school for half of Term 2, to ensure you have experience teaching across the full age range in your chosen specialism. Our team will help you source and contact placement schools, so you're supported every step of the way. 

No – you only need Qualified Teacher Status to be employed as a qualified teacher in England, which you achieve on successful completion of our course. A PGCE is an additional academic qualification awarded by a university, which some providers offer alongside QTS. 

Fee-funded Initial Teacher Training is an unsalaried training route perfect for those not currently employed in a school; it is funded through student loans and, where eligible, bursaries and scholarships. The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship route is a salaried route to Qualified Teacher Status for those currently employed in a school; it is funded through your school's Growth and Skills Levy fund.

Both routes award Qualified Teacher Status, which is needed to teach in schools across England. 

Although not essential, prior school experience will strengthen your application and provide you with an invaluable insight into what teaching is really like and the role and responsibilities of a classroom teacher. 

A good starting point is to reach out to schools in your area to find out if they have capacity to take on a student teacher.  Be flexible.  Schools might not be able to offer you exactly what you request.  Volunteering is a great option if your schedule permits. 

Schools may require a DBS check as a matter of policy, and you will need this as a student teacher. Our team will support you with school placements and the application process. 

We don't currently offer a direct Undergraduate QTS route or the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship. At this time, we are only able to offer postgraduate teacher training courses. 

The best route into teaching depends on your experience, qualifications, and personal circumstances. For graduates looking to start a teaching career, we offer two pathways to QTS -  Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship (PGTA).

A fee-funded ITT programme is ideal for those who want structured teacher training with extensive classroom experience, leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Alternatively, a Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship allows you to earn a salary while you train, making it a great option for those already working in a school or looking to learn on the job.

Both routes provide the skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to become an effective teacher. The best option will depend on whether you prefer a traditional training route or an apprenticeship that combines employment with teacher training.

At Best Practice Network, we're looking for people who are committed to becoming outstanding teachers and making a positive difference to the lives of children and young people. Successful candidates are passionate about education, enthusiastic about learning, and dedicated to helping every child achieve their potential.

The skills and qualities needed to become a teacher go beyond academic qualifications. We look for individuals with excellent communication and organisational skills, strong interpersonal abilities, resilience, and a proactive approach to professional development. The ability to reflect on practice, adapt to challenges, and build positive relationships with pupils, colleagues, and families is essential.

We also value determination, energy, and a commitment to maintaining high standards in the classroom. Strong English and mathematics skills, alongside excellent subject knowledge, are key foundations for success in teacher training and throughout your teaching career.

Whether you're considering Initial Teacher Training (ITT) or a Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship, the most successful trainees are those who are motivated to learn, embrace feedback, and are passionate about delivering the best possible outcomes for children.

At Best Practice Network, we are committed to providing high-quality support throughout your teacher training journey. Whatever programme you choose,  you'll benefit from a comprehensive support network designed to help you develop into a confident and successful teacher.

As a student teacher, you will receive guidance from experienced mentors, personal tutors and wellbeing teams who will support your progress both in the classroom and through your training programme. On top of this, you'll have access to a nationwide community of student teachers across the country. 

Yes. At Best Practice Network, our Initial Teacher Training (ITT) programmes offer a range of specialist pathways, allowing you to tailor your teacher training to your interests, strengths, and career aspirations while working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Primary Teacher Training

If you're interested in primary teacher training, you can choose from the following pathways:

3-7 (Early Years and Key Stage 1)
This route includes an Early Years specialism, with placements taking place across Early Years and Key Stage 1 settings. It is ideal for those who are passionate about supporting children's development in their earliest years of education.

5-11 (Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2)
This pathway focuses on teaching across the full primary curriculum, with placements in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 classrooms. It is ideal for trainees who want experience across the broader primary age range.

We also offer opportunities to gain experience in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. Whichever primary route you choose, you will gain QTS, qualifying you to teach across the entire primary phase.

SEND Teacher Training

Our specialist SEND teacher training programme is designed for those who are passionate about supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Developed in partnership with The Gallery Trust, the programme combines expert SEND training with hands-on classroom experience.

Unlike traditional teacher training programmes, the SEND pathway is designed around children's developmental stages, recognising that pupils with SEND often learn and develop differently.

You can choose from the following curriculum pathways:

• 3-7: Supporting children working at EYFS and Key Stage 1 levels.
• 5-11: Supporting learners across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
• 7-14: Supporting learners across Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3.
  
  

Secondary Teacher Training

If you're interested in secondary teacher training, you will choose a subject specialism and develop expertise in your chosen area. Subject specialisms include:

• English
• Mathematics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computing
  
  

As part of your training, you will teach pupils in at least two schools before being awarded QTS, gaining valuable experience in different educational settings. All secondary pathways lead to QTS, qualifying you to teach across the secondary phase regardless of your chosen subject specialism.

Yes. If you already hold Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS), you may be eligible to train for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through one of our teacher training routes.

We would typically recommend considering the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship if you are currently employed in a setting that includes Key Stage 1 provision, as this can allow you to gain QTS while continuing to work and develop your teaching practice.

Gaining QTS can broaden your career opportunities, enabling you to teach in primary schools and expanding your experience beyond the Early Years Foundation Stage. Our team can help you explore the most suitable route based on your qualifications, experience, and current employment setting.

Yes. Strong communication skills are essential for a successful teaching career, so your ability to speak, read and write in English will be assessed throughout the application and selection process.

This includes reviewing your written application, observing your communication during interviews, and ensuring you can communicate effectively with pupils, colleagues and families. As a trainee teacher, you'll need a high standard of written and spoken English to support learning, maintain professional records, and deliver high-quality teaching.

Demonstrating clear and confident communication is an important part of meeting the requirements for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and progressing towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

If you hold a Master's degree but do not have a Bachelor's degree, you may still be considered for teacher training. However, you will need to demonstrate that your academic study is equivalent to degree-level learning, including the breadth, depth, and duration typically associated with an undergraduate qualification.

As a guide, your academic experience would normally need to reflect at least three years of higher education study and provide evidence of sustained academic achievement.

Each application is assessed individually, and our admissions team will review your qualifications to determine whether they meet the entry requirements for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

No. You are not expected to be teaching independently for four days a week from the start of the programme. Your teaching responsibilities will gradually increase as your confidence, knowledge, and classroom experience develop.

During the early stages of your Initial Teacher Training (ITT) or Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship, you may begin by observing lessons, working with small groups, team teaching, and supporting pupils in a role similar to a Teaching Assistant. As the programme progresses, you will take on increasing responsibility for planning, teaching and assessing whole-class lessons.

This gradual approach ensures you receive the support and practical experience needed to develop into a confident and effective teacher while working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

No. If you already hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), for example through a Secondary PGCE or Secondary Initial Teacher Training route, you do not need to gain QTS again in a different phase.

QTS is a professional teaching qualification that allows you to teach across age phases. If you are interested in moving from secondary education into Early Years or primary teaching, you can apply for suitable teaching roles and develop your experience through professional development opportunities rather than undertaking another QTS programme.

If your goal is to specialise in Early Years education, we recommend exploring relevant training and development opportunities that will help you build expertise in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and early childhood education.