Train to become a qualified French teacher with Best Practice Network

To become a qualified French teacher in England, you'll need to complete an approved teacher training programme that leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). QTS is the recognised qualification required to teach in primary schools across England.

During your training, you'll gain experience teaching French across ages 11-16 (secondary). 

We offer two training pathways to help you start your teaching career: 

 Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training

Best Practice Network’s Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training (ITT) is a school-centred teacher training programme that leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), the qualification needed to teach in schools across England.

Designed for those who hold a bachelor's degree and want to become qualified teachers, our school-based programme combines academic study with extensive classroom experience.

From the very beginning of your training, you will be based in a local school 4 days a week, learning directly from experienced teachers and putting theory into practice in real classroom settings.

Why choose Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training?

  • Turn your degree into QTS in just 11 months
  • Train in the classroom from day one
  • Join a national network of student teachers across England
  • Receive expert support from experienced school mentors, a personal tutor and wellbeing team. 
  • Once qualified, start on a minimum salary of £32k (dependent on location)

 Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship

The Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship is a school-based teacher training route for anyone who holds a bachelor's degree and is employed in a school. It's designed for aspiring teachers who want to gain practical classroom experience while earning a salary and working towards becoming a qualified teacher.

This salaried pathway allows you to learn on the job, with all training costs covered through your school's Apprenticeship Levy, meaning there are no tuition fees for you to pay.

On successful completion of the programme, you will achieve:

  • Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
  • A Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship Qualification

Why choose the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship?

  • Learn in the classroom from day 1
  • Become a qualified teacher in just 10 months + Apprenticeship Assessment
  • Earn a yearly salary of at least £23k while you learn
  • Training costs covered by the Apprenticeship Levy
  • School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) (Learn more)
  • Once qualified, start on a minimum salary of £32k (dependent on location)

 

 

 

"Learning a language can be life changing, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed. By teaching a language, you give your pupils a VIP pass to a wider world - creating opportunities to travel, work and connect with different cultures and communities across the globe"

Rosemary Reid | Languages Subject Lead

 Why Become a French Teacher? 

Bonjour! Are you passionate about the French language and culture, and eager to share it with others? Then becoming a French teacher could be your dream career! Here's why:

  • Open doors to new worlds: French is a global language, spoken on five continents! By teaching French, you'll equip students with the skills to travel, study abroad, and connect with a rich culture.
  • Spark a lifelong love of learning: French isn't just about grammar drills. You'll design engaging lessons that bring the language to life through films, music, literature, and cultural exploration, fostering a love for lifelong learning.
  • Nurture well-rounded citizens: Learning another language promotes intercultural understanding and empathy. As a French teacher, you'll help students develop these vital skills, preparing them to be citizens of the world.

 Entry Requirements

To be eligible for any of our teacher training routes, you will need:

  • A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any subject with a minimum 2:2 classification*
  • GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and mathematics (or equivalent)
  • The right to study and work in the UK

Additional requirements for PGTA:

  • Applicants must have held residency in the UK for the last three years
  • OR Applicants must have a valid visa covering the full duration of the programme

*Qualifications achieved outside the UK (including Ireland) will need to be verified through UK ENIC with a comparability statement.

 How Can I Fund my Teacher Training? 

Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training

From the start of the 2026/27 academic year, tuition fees for this programme will be £9,790 for full-time study.

Eligible applicants may be able to access:

Find out more about funding on our Fee-Funded ITT page.

 

Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship

You won’t pay tuition fees as a student teacher.

Your training is funded by your school through:

  • The Apprenticeship Levy, or
  • Government co-investment if your school does not pay into the Levy

Because this is a salaried route, student finance and maintenance loans are not available.

You’ll earn a minimum salary of at least £23,000 (or more depending on location and experience) on the unqualified teacher pay scale (UNQ1).

 How Is French Teacher Training Delivered? 

Both our Fee-Funded ITT and Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship routes are school-based programmes, allowing you to develop your teaching skills through hands-on classroom experience.

You’ll:

  • Spend 4 days a week training in school
  • Complete 1 day a week of expert-led training (either online or face-to-face)
  • Learn from experienced tutors and mentors
  • Complete a contrasting school placement to broaden your experience

Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training

  • Full-time programme completed in 11 months
  • Training takes place across two school placements (a host and contrasting placement school)
  • Awards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship

  • Full-time programme completed in 10 months +Apprenticeship Assessment
  • Training takes place in your employing school and a contrasting placement school
  • Awards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship Qualification

 How Will I Train to Become a French 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 mentor and subject specialists throughout your journey.

Your training will include:

  • 10 Core Training Days – online or Face-to-Face, carefully designed to teach the core body of 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 - led by your subject lead and will equip you with the skills required to teach biology across the 11-16 age phase. 

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 portfolio and demonstrate your readiness to be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
  • (For Apprenticeship route only) complete your Apprenticeship Assessment, which includes a lesson observation and a professional discussion with an external examiner—giving you the opportunity to achieve a distinction-level award.

 Frequently Asked Questions

ITT FAQs

 

"Every day, I find myself thinking, ‘Is this real life? Have I really made it here - am I really a teacher? My hard work has paid off, and I remind myself of that whenever I begin to doubt myself. Teaching is an incredibly rewarding career, and seeing a student succeed- no matter how big or small the achievement- is what continues to make me proud, not only of myself, but of them as well.

Katelyn Creswick | Biology Student Teacher

French 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 →

  Fee-Funded ITT Teacher Apprenticeship
🎓 Awards Qualified Teacher Status only Qualified Teacher Status + Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship
(opportunity to achieve a distinction!)
💰 Funding Student loan or self-funded £0 – funded by Apprenticeship Levy
💼 Salary

Unsalaried

Bursaries available to eligible candidates

Salaried (unqualified teacher scale)
🧭 Placement School Organised by BPN Must be employed by a school
📅 Start date Currently closed for applications September 2026
🗓️ Programme length 11 months 10 months + Assessment
🎯 Ideal for Graduates not employed in a school Graduates already working in a school
📚 Study style 4 days in school, 1 day training 4 days in school, 1 day training
📍 Qualification requirements Bachelor's degree + GCSEs (English and maths) Bachelor's Degree + GCSEs (English and maths)
🏠 Residency requirements 3+ years UK residency or valid visa 3+ years UK residency or valid visa
(We cannot sponsor visas)

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 2024/25 graduate teachers have secured employment for September



Meet the team!