Victoria Academies Trust | Best Practice Network

About Victoria Academies Trust

Victoria Academies Trust is a Multi-Academy Trust operating across the West Midlands, currently comprising a family of eleven schools spanning five local authorities.

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to helping our people be the best they can be. Everything we do is driven by the needs of our children, our school communities, and our colleagues.

We aim to inspire our children to achieve beyond what they believe is possible and to thrive in whatever paths they choose. We empower our people to live out our core values—Unity, Integrity, Courage, and Curiosity—as they strive for excellence in all they do.

Through our Apprenticeship Levy-funded Apprenticeship Pathways, we are dedicated to providing colleagues across our trust with access to high-quality, accredited professional development tailored to their roles. We firmly believe that raising pupil attainment and delivering the highest standards of education begins with investing in our people.

By enhancing the knowledge, skills, and understanding of our staff, we aim to strengthen teaching, leadership, and operational capacity across our schools—for the benefit of every child in our care.

Hayley Mapp, Director of Schools

Early Years Apprenticeships

Early Years Practitioner Level 2

An Early Years Practitioner (EYP) is responsible for implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum in various early years settings. These settings may include full day care, children’s centres, playgroups, pre-schools, nursery schools, reception classes and home-based provision.

Early Years Educator Level 3

An Early Years Educator (EYE) is responsible for planning and providing effective care for children aged 0-5 in various early years settings. They count towards the Staff: Child ratio and can mentor Early Years Practitioners. They will implement the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) that enables children to prepare for school.

Early Years Lead Practitioner Level 5

The Level 5 Early Years Lead Practitioner (EYLP) Apprenticeship is ideal for proactive, influential practitioners, working directly with children.

These highly skilled professionals take an operational lead for the care, learning and development of all young children within their care and lead and support the practice of others.

Early Years Speech & Language Support Practitioner Level 5

The Early Years Speech & Language Support Practitioner Apprenticeship develops early years practitioners and setting support staff into confident speech and language champions, equipping them to identify speech, language and communication needs, remove barriers and help children access early learning, play and development.

Coaching in the Early Years Apprenticeship Level 5

The first coaching qualification built just for the Early Years.

For Early Years professionals who coach others, formally or informally, and want to refine their practice. Gain a complete toolkit of proven coaching techniques – from active listening and structured feedback to goal setting and solution-focused conversations – all tailored to the Early Years context.

Leader Apprenticeships with NPQs

Leader Apprenticeship with NPQH

Designed for aspiring or recently appointed headteachers looking to improve their leadership capability. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQH is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's flagship NPQ for Headship (NPQH) to the Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.

Leader Apprenticeship with NPQSL

Designed for aspiring or recently appointed senior leaders looking to improve their leadership capability. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQSL is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's flagship NPQ for Senior Leadership (NPQSL) to the Level 5 Operations Manager Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.

Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT

Designed to give learners all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin the successful leadership of teaching. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLT is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's NPQ for Leading Teaching (NPQLT) to the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.

Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLTD

Designed to give learners all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of teacher development. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLTD is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's NPQ for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD) to the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.

Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLBC

Designed to give learners all of the essential knowledge, skills and concepts that underpin successful leadership of culture and behaviour in a school. The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQLBC is a dual award which has mapped the DfE's NPQ for Leading Behaviour and Culture (NPQLBC) to the Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship. This combination means learners concurrently earn two highly prestigious qualifications.

Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs

The Leader Apprenticeship with NPQ for SENCOs is a dual award that integrates the DfE’s NPQ for SENCOs with the Level 5 Learning and Development Apprenticeship.

Teaching Assistant and Support Staff Apprenticeships

Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship

Teacher Assistant (TA) Apprenticeship Level 3 is ideal for anyone already working as a Teaching Assistant, or looking for a career as a TA.

Teaching Assistant Level 3 Apprenticeship SEND

The Level 3 Teaching Assistant (TA) Apprenticeship with SEND is tailored for both current TAs and aspiring TAs, focusing on supporting students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.

Pastoral Apprenticeships

NEW! Pastoral Support Practitioner Level 4

Strengthen attendance, behaviour and pupil wellbeing through early intervention and support. This apprenticeship is designed for staff who work with pupils and families to address barriers to learning, attendance and wellbeing.

AI and Coaching Apprenticeships

AI Practitioner for Schools Level 4

A fully funded apprenticeship that prepares school staff to coordinate the ethical and effective use of AI and automation across schools and trusts. The programme prepares apprentices for roles including AI Coordinator, AI Implementation Lead, Digital and AI Lead and Automation and Systems Lead.

Coaching, Learning and Development Practitioner Level 3

The Coaching, Learning and Development Practitioner Level 3 Apprenticeship helpers learners to develop the skills to identify development needs, design effective learning opportunities, and use coaching to empower others.