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Why become an English teacher?
As an English teacher, you’ll play a vital role in supporting students to develop the communication skills they need to succeed in all areas of life.
Make a real difference: You'll equip students with the communication skills they need to thrive in all areas of life. Whether it's developing their own voice, finding the literature they love, or guiding them to tackle their exams with confidence.
Ignite a love for learning: Open the door to endless possibilities. Inspire a passion for reading, writing, and critical thinking that will shape your students’ futures.
Be creative in the classroom: Bring English to life with exciting lessons. Whether it’s drama, debates, or storytelling, you’ll spark curiosity and make every class unforgettable.
Which teacher training route is right for me?
We offer two routes to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS):
- The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship – ideal for those already working in schools
- Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training (ITT) – ideal for those not currently working in a school (applications closed for September 2026)
Whichever route you choose, you’ll receive expert support, school-based training and a nationally recognised qualification. Not sure which route is right for you? There is more guidance below:
English Teacher Training Comparison Table
Use the table below to compare the key features of our Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training and Teacher Apprenticeship programmes at a glance.
📱 On mobile? Swipe sideways to see the full table →
How will I train to become an English teacher?
Our curriculum is designed to build your skills and confidence progressively, blending theory with hands-on classroom experience.
You’ll complete two school placements across the year, supported by a personal tutor and subject specialists throughout your journey.
Your training will include:
- 10 Core Training sessions – these are delivered online and are carefully designed to teach the core body of knowledge and skills that define great teaching.
- 4 Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) Weeks – see expert teaching in action and apply new strategies in your own lessons.
- 10 subject-specific training sessions - delivered by your subject lead, these sessions develop strong subject knowledge and classroom-ready practice for teaching English across the 11–16 age range.
Core learning areas:
- Behaviour Support & Classroom Management
- Curriculum Delivery
- Teacher Development
By the end of your programme, you’ll be ready to teach up to 80% of a full timetable and demonstrate the skills required for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Upon completion of your practical training, you will...
- Present your evidence portfolio and demonstrate your readiness to be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
- (For Apprenticeship route only) complete your Apprenticeship Assessment.
Hear what our student teachers have to say...
Why choose Best Practice Network for your teacher training?
- Ofsted outstanding: provider of the DfE’s full teacher progression pathway, supporting student teachers from entry into teaching through to executive leadership.
- 20+ years of experience: Delivering teacher training and professional qualifications for teachers, school leaders, support staff and early years professionals.
- Subject & phase specific groups: As a leading national provider our enrolment enables student teachers to train alongside peers specific to their phase, subject and specialism.
- Local placement: Our network of 500+ schools provides our student teachers local access to in-school placements.
- Supporting wellbeing: Our pathway is QTS-only helping support student teacher capacity and wellbeing on their journey into teaching.
- Award-winning: Best Practice Network has been named Education Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year (twice!)
- 90% of our 2023/24 graduate teachers have secured employment for September
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Meet the team!
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