Thinking about a career in teaching? Whether you're applying for our fee-funded Initial Teacher Training or the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship, we've outlined the key steps to help you submit a successful application with Best Practice Network.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before our team can process your application, you’ll need to make sure you meet the essential entry requirements:

✅ Right to Work, Study and Live in the UK

To train as a teacher in England, you must:

• Have the right to work and study in the UK

• Be a resident in the UK for:

  • 3 years or more (Apprenticeship route)

  • 1 year or more (Initial Teacher Training fee-funded route)

You’ll need to upload:

• A valid passport or UK birth certificate

• Proof of immigration status (if applicable):

  • Share your Right to Work code

  • Share your Immigration status code

If your name has changed and no longer matches your qualifications, please upload official documentation (e.g. marriage certificate or deed poll) so we can verify everything.

Step 2: Provide Proof of Address

We’ll ask you to upload one document dated within the last 3 months. This must match the address on your application.

Accepted documents:

• Council tax letter (current year)

• Utility bill (not a mobile phone)

• Bank statement

• UK driver’s licence

Step 3: Upload Your Qualifications

You’ll need to provide evidence of the following:

UK Qualifications:

• Have achieved at least grade 4 (C) in GCSE English and mathematics (or equivalent)

• If applying for Primary specialism, have also achieved grade 4 (C) in a science subject

• A Bachelor’s degree (Level 6) or higher

Not accepted as GCSE equivalents:

• Functional Skills, Key Skills, Adult Literacy/Numeracy, AS/A Levels

Don't have your documents to hand?
No problem! You can still submit your application. We'll begin processing and let you know what’s missing. You'll have time to gather and upload your certificates later in the process.

Need to replace lost certificates?
You can order official replacements or certified statements of results via your exam board ➡️

Missing a required GCSE?

If you did not achieve a grade C+/ equivalent 4+ in GCSE English, Maths or Science, this means you will need to complete an equivalency test for each subject.

We will accept equivalency testing from: 

• A Star Equivalency
• Maths Made Easy

Costs apply and this is at your own cost.

We can provide GCSE maths equivalency for free through Best Practice Network. This will only be made available once you have been offered a place.

Non-UK Qualifications:

If you studied overseas, we’ll need:

• ENIC Statement of Comparability to show your qualifications match UK GCSEs and degree level

• If your education was in another language, you may need to complete an equivalency test in English

Need help with ENIC? Visit enic.org.uk

Step 4: Employer Confirmation (Apprenticeship Route Only)

If you're applying via the Teacher Apprenticeship route, your school must confirm they support your application. This is essential before we can invite you to interview.

We’ll automatically email two forms to your school:

1. Employer Declaration Form (required before interview)

2. Employer Details Form (for funding setup – not needed for interview)

💡 Final Tips

• Double-check that everything is clearly scanned or photographed

• Be sure your documents are named appropriately (e.g. "Degree_Certificate_JohnSmith.pdf")

• Respond to any emails from us promptly to keep your application moving

Interested? Start Your Teaching Career Here

If you would like any more information, get in contact with us:

 Email: teach@bestpracticenet.co.uk

 Tel: +44 (0) 117 920 9200 (8.30am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri)

  Book a 15 minute call

Apply for Initial Teacher Training 

Apply for the Teacher Apprenticeship