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Why Train with Best Practice Network?
At Best Practice Network, we believe every child deserves an excellent education. As one of the only national providers of the SEND Teacher Apprenticeship, we deliver high-quality training designed and delivered by SEND experts, in collaboration with schools and trusts nationwide. Our approach combines hands-on classroom experience, personalised mentoring, and a nationally recognised teaching qualification – giving you everything you need to make a lasting difference.
What makes our SEND Teacher training Unique?
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Written and delivered by SEND experts – grounded in inclusive practice and real classroom experience.
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Turn your degree into Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in one academic year and start your teaching career with confidence.
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Built-in SEND specialism – not an optional extra. Every part of your training focuses on supporting pupils with additional needs.
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School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) with local placements in our network of over 500 partner schools.
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Earn while you learn – our Teacher Apprenticeship route lets you train on the job, with no tuition fees.
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Ofsted Outstanding Provider with 20+ years of experience training teachers, leaders and support staff.
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Award-Winning – BPN was named Education Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year (two years in a row!).
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Proven success – 90% of our graduates secure teaching roles immediately after qualifying.
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Why Become a Special Educational Needs Teacher?
SEND teachers play a vital role in supporting students with special educational needs during their most formative years. Here’s why choosing to be a SEN teacher is an incredibly rewarding 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:
SEND 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 SEND 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 SEND specialists throughout your journey.
Your training will include:
- 12 Core Training Days – online or Face-to-Face, focused on essential teaching and SEND practice.
- 4 Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP) Weeks – see expert teaching in action and apply new strategies in your own lessons.
- Dedicated SEND surgeries and spotlight sessions – practical workshops to strengthen your classroom skills.
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) in July.
- (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.
- 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 mainstream school placement.
- Term 3: You will return to your host school to prepare for the recommendation of QTS
- Term 4 (Apprenticeship only): Assessment for Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship Qualification, where you can reach distinction level in addition to your QTS!
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 (twice!)
- 90% 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 SEND 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.
"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.
Starting in September, 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.
Choose from one of two age ranges for our fee-funded Initial Teacher Training:
| Specialism | Curriculum pathway | Start dates |
| SEND | 3-7 | September |
| SEND | 5-11 | September |
Please apply now for the next intake!
Congratulations! You appear to be eligible to apply. Please click the link below to begin your application
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?
"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 + 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 | Curriculum pathway | Start dates |
| SEND | 3-7 | September |
| SEND | 5-11 | September |
Please 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
-
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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