PGTA for Schools
The Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship enables schools to develop and retain existing staff through a cost-effective, employment-based route into teaching. By training staff who already know your school and community, you can boost classroom capacity from day one, reduce recruitment costs, and create clear progression pathways that support retention, morale and long-term workforce stability.
What does it cost?
Your school is responsible for paying the apprentice’s salary and associated employment oncosts. Apprentices are paid on the unqualified teacher scale (at least at UNQ1) and are employed full time for the duration of their training contract (August 2026 – August 2027).
The apprenticeship cost is £9000, paid from the apprenticeship levy – there is no cost to your school or the apprentice.
Candidates who wish to gain a PGCE must pay an additional £1,200.
What salary grants are available?
Grant funding is available to contribute to the costs for qualifying trainees on postgraduate teaching apprenticeship courses.
- £29,000 for chemistry*, computing*, mathematics* and physics*
- £20,000 for languages and D&T
- £5000 for biology and geography
* subjects in bold are funded more generously through the PGTA than the salaried school-direct route. Other subjects are comparable.
Which qualifications are gained?
Apprentices will be recommended for QTS by early July 2027, and complete their end point assessment for the apprenticeship between early July 2027 and the end of term. Apprentices who wish to also undertake a PGCE must pay an additional £1,200.
From the start of the 2025/26 academic year, following successful registration with the Office for Students and the successful award of New Degree Awarding Powers, all students will be awarded their PGCE by the NIoT.
Following the announcement of changes to apprenticeships, the NIoT hope to streamline the assessment process for apprentices on the PGTA, and will share more when details are confirmed by the DfE.
What courses can candidates apply for?
- Art and Design (11-16)
- Biology (11-16)
- Chemistry (11-16)
- Computing (11-16)
- Design and Technology (11-16)
- Drama (11-16)
- English (11-16)
- Geography (11-16)
- History (11-16)
- Mathematics (11-16)
- MFL (French/Spanish/Mandarin) (11-16)
- Music (11-16)
- Physics (11-16)
- Physical Education (11-16)
- Religious Education (11-16)
- Primary (3-7)
- Primary (5-11)
- Primary Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Who can apply?
We’ll only be accepting applications from internal candidates in the first instance. This means candidates who are currently working in the school they wish to train to teach in. They might be teaching assistants, HLTAs, or those who’ve entered the role though pastoral or SEND provision and have not had the chance to gain QTS. Candidates should only be nominated if your school is able to offer an apprenticeship role.
Are there any eligibility requirements for candidates?
Apprentices are required to have the following:
A degree awarded by a UK higher education provider, or a recognised equivalent qualification with supporting ENIC certificate.
A standard equivalent to grade C/4, or above, in the GCSE examinations in English and Mathematics.
To teach pupils aged three to 11 (early years and primary), a standard equivalent to a grade C/4, or above, in a GCSE science subject examination.
To teach at secondary level, a degree in the subject the apprentice wishes to teach although A-level subjects may be considered, and Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses are also available.
Classroom experience of at least 12 months – length and roles may vary depending on the experience of each individual. This does not necessarily need to be 12 months in their current school.
All apprentices must meet the ESFA Apprenticeship eligibility criteria.
Next steps
To check your school is eligible and to prepare for your nomination, you will need to:
- Talk to your ‘main employer’ about apprenticeships and access to the apprenticeship levy. If your school is an academy, this will be your trust, otherwise it will be your Local Authority if you make payroll through them.
- Check with your main employer if there are any processes either you or we (as the training provider) need to go through to access the apprenticeship levy.
- Check the candidate eligibility requirements and ensure you have details regarding the candidate’s qualifications and personal information (address, date of birth, NI number).
How to nominate a candidate
If you haven't already, you will need to submit your contact details to express your school's interest. Once we receive this information, a member of our team will be in touch to check your eligibility and provide you with an Employer Nomination Form.
On receipt of your Employer Nomination Form, we will liaise directly with your main employer and the candidate to confirm eligibility.