Become a Primary School 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.
- Learn in the classroom from Day 1
- Turn your degree into Qualified Teacher Status
- School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) (Learn more)
- Once qualified, start on a salary of £31k-£38k
- Pay no fees and earn a salary while you learn (apprenticeship only)
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Why Become a Primary School Teacher?
Primary school teachers are the foundation builders! They play a pivotal role in shaping young minds during their most crucial developmental years. Here's why becoming a primary school teacher is a fantastic career choice:
- Inspire a lifelong love of learning: Spark curiosity and creativity in your pupils, making learning fun and rewarding. Through storytelling, hands-on activities, and engaging lessons, you'll inspire the next generation.
- Shape well-rounded individuals: Teaching goes beyond academics. You'll nurture social, emotional, and physical growth, empowering children to become confident, resilient, and well-rounded individuals.
- Celebrate growth every day: There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the progress children make. From their first “a-ha” moments to newfound confidence, you’ll be at the heart of their journey, celebrating every milestone.
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) – best for those not currently employed by a school
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:
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 →
How will I train to become a Primary teacher?
Over the academic year, you will complete practical training in two schools. Throughout the programme, 1 day a week (20%) of your time will be dedicated to off-the-job training delivered by Best Practice Network.
Upon completion of your practical training, you will...
- Present your portfolio and demonstrate your readiness to be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in July.
- (For Apprenticeship route only) complete your End Point Assessment, which includes a lesson observation and a professional discussion with an external examiner—giving you the opportunity to achieve a distinction-level award.
- Induction: you will have your first day of learning and ITT Induction before the start of your training to help you prepare for the programme
- Term 1: You will be in your host school this term. Training in school four days a week and attending online or in-person training one day a week
- Term 2: You will spend 6 weeks in a contrasting school placement.
- Term 3: You will return to your host school to prepare for the recommendation of QTS
- Term 4 (Apprenticeship only): End Point Assessment for Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship Qualification, where you can reach distinction level in addition to your QTS!
Can I train to teach primary part-time?
Yes – we offer flexible part-time primary teacher training with QTS for those who need to balance teacher training with work, family or other commitments. It follows the same high-quality curriculum and leads to the same qualification as the full-time route, but is delivered over two years.
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
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What qualifications do I need to train to be a Primary teacher?
To be eligible for our teacher training, applicants MUST hold:
- A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a 2:2 or above
- GCSE grade 4/C* or above in English and maths and science (or recognised equivalent*)
- While school experience is not mandatory, we highly recommend it as a valuable way to confirm your interest in a teaching career
*Qualifications in key and functional skills at level 2 are not equivalent to GCSEs in terms of breadth of content.
The Application Process
What Happens After You Apply?
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Application review
Once you’ve chosen the age phase you’d like to teach and submitted your application, our team will conduct an initial review.
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Online interview
We’ll contact you to arrange an online interview. You'll be asked to complete some pre-interview maths and English task as well as a presentation.
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Conditional offer
If your interview is successful, you’ll receive a conditional offer to join the programme.
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School placement support
Don’t have a school to support your training yet? No problem! Our dedicated placements team will work with you to secure a placement school, ensuring you’re ready to begin your teaching journey.
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Enrolment and onboarding process begins
"I do not work in a school" - Apply Here
Whether you're a career changer or about to graduate from university, our fee-funded Initial Teacher Training route is a great way to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in under a year. You’ll train in a school four days a week, with one day of expert-led training either online or Face-to-Face — all organised for you by Best Practice Network.
This 11-month course can be funded through a student loan or self-funding. It’s a flexible and supportive route into teaching for those ready to launch a rewarding new career.
"I currently work in a school" - Apply Here
If you are currently employed in a school, the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship is an ideal pathway to achieve Qualified Teacher Status and a Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship in just 10 months + End Point Assessment.
All training costs are covered by your placement school’s Apprenticeship Levy, so there are no fees to pay.
During your apprenticeship, you will be employed at a school and receive a salary of between £21k-£27k per year on the Unqualified Teacher Salary (UNQ1) and upon qualification, you’ll step straight into a starting teacher salary of £31k–£38k.
Choose from one of two age ranges – both are full time.
| Specialism | Age Range | Start dates |
| Primary | 3-7 | September |
| Primary | 5-11 | September |
Apply now for the next intake!
Congratulations! You appear to be eligible to apply. Please click the link below to begin your application
Unfortunately, you do not appear to be eligible.
Please contact our team to discuss your options.
To apply, you must have lived in the UK for the last 3 consecutive years.
Question 1: Have you lived in the UK for at least the last 3 consecutive years?
To apply, you must have have the right to work and study in the UK.
Question 2: Do you have the right to work and study in the UK?
To join this programme, you must have one of the following:
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GCSEs in English, maths and science at Grade 4 (C) or above
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Equivalency tests for English, maths and science at GCSE level
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International qualifications equivalent to GCSE English, maths and science as assessed by UK ENIC (comparability Statement)
Question 3: Do you hold these GCSEs or equivalent qualifications?
To join this programme, you must hold a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any subject, awarded at a minimum classification of 2:2.
Question 4: Do you have a bachelor's degree awarded at a minimum classification of 2:2?
To apply for the Teacher Apprenticeship, you must be working in a school as a teaching assistant, cover supervisor or other support role. Please confirm you are working in a school.
Question 5: Are you currently employed in a school?
Meet the team!
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