Become a Primary Teacher
Train to teach in a local primary school with one of the country’s leading teacher training providers. Depending on your circumstances, you can choose between a salaried Teacher Apprenticeship or a fee-funded Teacher Training route.
.png)
Train to become a qualified primary teacher with Best Practice Network
To become a qualified primary 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.
Choose your primary teacher training specialism:
- Primary ages 3–7: Train to teach children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Key Stage 1, supporting children during the crucial early stages of their education.
- Primary ages 5–11: Train to teach children across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, developing the skills needed to support pupils throughout primary school.
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)
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)
- GCSE grade 4/C or above in science if applying for Primary or SEND
- 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
- 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:
- Student Finance England tuition fee loans
- Maintenance loans (where eligible)
- Subject bursaries and scholarships for eligible secondary subjects
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 Primary 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 ITT
- 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)
.png)
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
What Will I Learn During My Initial Teacher Training?
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:
- 12 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
ITT FAQs
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 where you'll train for 6 weeks 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 QTS to be employed as a qualified teacher, 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 is through a student loan and as you will be classed as full-time student, this would be unsalaried. The apprenticeship route would allow you to be paid a wage and your employer would cover the cost of the programme through the Apprenticeship Levy Fund.
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.
Contact schools who know you or local schools asking who the appropriate contact is. Be flexible. Schools are busy places and so might not always offer you exactly what you requested. 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 trainee teacher. It would be wise to obtain this as soon as possible as they can take weeks to complete.
No, we are only offering the postgraduate fee-funded and employment based (apprenticeship) route.
There is no ‘best route’ into teaching. The question is which is the best route into teaching for you? This may depend on your own personal situation.
We’re looking for people who want to become outstanding teachers; people who genuinely enjoy working with children and young people; people who are passionate about education and who are relentless in their drive to ensure positive outcomes for children.
Further essential qualities are outstanding organisation and communication skills, resilience, a proactive reflective approach and good interpersonal skills. You should also have determination and energy, high standards of English, maths and excellent subject knowledge.
You will benefit from bespoke weekly core training days with your fellow trainees, additional tailored subject-specific training days, a school-based mentor and a personal Best Practice Network tutor, as well as support from a knowledgeable and accessible programme team including a placement coordinator who will arrange your second placement in a contrasting school environment.
There are several pathways for you to consider.
Primary
You will be able to specialise in the key stage 1 and 2 provision (3-7 or 5-11) including SEN provision.
The 3-7 route encompass early years specialism and your placements will take place in early years and key stage 1. The 5-11 route specialises in the curriculum across the entire primary phase meaning your placements will take place in key stage 1 and key stage 2 classes. Both routes lead to QTS meaning you will be qualified to teach across the primary phase regardless of which route you take.
Secondary
You will be able to specialise in the key stage 3 and 4 provision (11-16 or 14-19).
You will select your subject specialism (English, maths, chemistry, physics, biology, computing, geography, French or Spanish). Trainees must have taught classes to pupils in two schools prior to the award of QTS. The duration of the ‘second school’ placement is dependent on your ITT route. All routes lead to QTS meaning you will be qualified to teach across the secondary phase regardless of which route you take or subject specialism.
Yes, you would be eligible for QTS. We would recommend you consider the apprenticeship route if your current workplace setting offers Key stage 1 +
Any offer we make will be conditional on health checks, disclosure and barring check (DBS) and completing mandatory safeguarding online course.
The selection process will check your competence in spoken and written English.
If you have a master's without a degree, you will have to demonstrate the breadth and time of the academic engagement that would be expected to meet 1st degree study and would not be less than 3 years.
We do not offer this as a course.
The amount of teaching builds up over the year. For example in the first module they would start by team teaching and working with groups or in more of a supportive role like a Teaching Assistant.
We will look at this on a case-by-case basis. We recognise that there are circumstances where a trainee undertakes ITT to take up a particular teaching role in a specific school and that this is sometimes a role in a special school. Accredited ITT providers and their lead partners should use their expertise and judgement to decide whether a primary or secondary ITT course would be most appropriate for the context in which the trainee will be working as an ECT. For example, we accept that there may be circumstances where primary ITT is more appropriate for a trainee who is preparing for a particular role in a secondary special school. Consideration should also be given to the trainee’s long term career ambitions in the teaching profession.
No, as you have already achieved QTS.
Additional Thrive-informed Training
As part of your teacher training journey with Best Practice Network, you’ll also have the opportunity to access our Thrive-informed Educator Training, a short, practical programme designed to strengthen your understanding of pupil wellbeing and behaviour.
This optional training helps you build confidence in the classroom by exploring how trauma, relationships and emotional wellbeing influence learning. You’ll develop practical strategies for creating safe, supportive environments where all pupils can thrive.
_1000(1).png)
Primary 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 →
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 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 for the past two years.
- 100% of our 2023/24 graduate teachers have secured employment for September
.png)
Meet the team!
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)