Unqualified Secondary Teacher Apprenticeship - Three Spires Trust

There are two schools looking for apprentices, one based in Wolverhampton and one in Stoke-on-Trent. We are looking for candidates who want to specialise in one of the following: Chemistry, Biology or Physics.

Our Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship programme offers high-quality, practical training in our partner schools with support and enhancement opportunities provided by our skilled BPN colleagues and lead partners.

Course Aims and Objectives

Our course curriculum is designed using the latest research evidence of what works best in teacher training.

Course Support and Content

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 apprenticeship 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.

Centre-based training includes:

• Induction - to provide an understanding of the aims and expectations of the programme
• Intensive training and practice blocks - to intensify the focus on specific, pivotal areas of the ITT curriculum
• Behaviour and classroom management - to develop your understanding of how pupils learn, cognitive development, educational theory on behaviour. You will explore what influences behaviour and what strategies and interventions are effective for promoting good teaching and learning.
• Curriculum design and assessment - to develop your knowledge of subject pedagogy, effective lesson planning and application of statutory codes for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), as well as principles of assessment and feedback practices.
• The role of the teacher - to develop a reflective and self-critical approach to teaching. You will be required to demonstrate effective practice via critical evaluation and systematic analysis of your own teaching practice as well as the professional expectations of the profession.
• Subject specific content in all areas of the National Curriculum - you will develop a clear evidence base for each subject area.
• Curriculum enhancement sessions led by sector experts - to introduce you to subject and phase specific communities of practice.

We recognise that location is an important factor for you so we run training in local centres and build local support networks.

Assessment is continuous and includes observations of your teaching. It will be defined by targets set by your tutor, mentor and you through self-reflection on assessment criteria, ahead of each half-termly review. Judgements are based on your ability to teach across the primary curriculum. The apprenticeship route also includes an end-point assessment to achieve your Level 6: building a portfolio, professional discussion and formal lesson observation.

Teaching commitments start with co-delivery of parts of a lesson and gradually increase until you are delivering whole lessons. As your confidence increases you will deliver sequences of lessons, building to 4-days per week teaching time by July 2025.

Interview process

• Following receipt of your application, short-listed candidates will be invited to an online interview.
• The interview will consist of completion of a maths and written task, a short presentation (on a book and/or topic of your choice related to your specialism/age range) and professional discussion.
• Depending on the school we place you in, you may be invited to a second interview with the school.
• At the interview, we will also take the opportunity to verify your ID documents and qualifications.
• All offers are subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-programme checks including an Enhanced DBS and Prohibition Order checks, two suitable references and a medical questionnaire to assess your fitness to teach.

Salary

Best Practice Network’s Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) whilst remaining in paid employment in school. You are paid a salary on the unqualified teacher scale (UNQ1). Certain rules apply.

Entry requirements

Qualifications needed

• An undergraduate degree at class 2:2 or above, or equivalent.
• If you need to improve your subject knowledge, you may be asked to complete a subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) course.
• Grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths, or equivalent qualification.
• We’ll consider candidates with pending GCSEs.
• We’ll consider candidates who need to take a GCSE equivalency test in English or maths.

If you do not hold a GCSE in English or Maths at grade 4 (C) or above or equivalent you can apply to take an equivalency test. We accept equivalency tests from:

• A*Star Teachers
• Equivalency Testing
• Maths Made Easy

Personal qualities

We look for candidates who genuinely enjoy working with children and young people; who support our vision, that every child should have access an excellent education regardless of background and who are committed to ensuring positive outcomes for children.

We are also looking for candidates who:

• Role model Best Practice Network’s values - strive for excellence, act with integrity, work together and inspire learning
• Have a positive outlook
• Are patient and adaptable
• Have good interpersonal skills
• Are friendly and approachable
• Have good organisational skills and excellent time management

Secondary apprenticeship course overview

• Closing date: 1st April