About the course - What is the Post Graduate Teacher Apprenticeship. Our training is supported by the University of Sussex which has a long and successful tradition in teacher education in partnership with local schools. Candidates completing the one-year apprenticeship course with Kent Oaks Consortium, and the University of Sussex will be awarded 60 master’s level credits towards a part-time MA in Education as an early career teacher, should you wish to do so. You will be working and paid as an unqualified teacher alongside studying and are likely to have a more extensive teaching timetable from earlier on in the programme than on PGCE programmes. Apprentices may have prior experience as unqualified teachers, members of support staff or extensive experience of teaching or training in another capacity. As a salaried apprentice, you will receive the same high-quality level of subject specific training and support from the University of Sussex as would a traditional Sussex PGCE candidate, in addition to the many benefits of undertaking a school–based model of training with our strong partnership of schools. University of Sussex tutors work with us to provide high quality inputs on how to teach and assess your chosen secondary subject or across the curriculum in primary schools. The University also provides a comprehensive programme of Professional Studies which complements the school-based training offered across our partnership. Applicants must have the Right to Work in the UK confirmed prior to applying. http://www.sussex.ac.uk/education/ite/pgceandschooldirectsecondary/science

How placements work - Apprentices must complete 12 full months of training. • On the job learning: You will spend most of the year in the school in which you are employed. We will then arrange for you to undertake a shorter ‘second’ placement in another school during January and February. • Off-the-job-learning: You’ll spend Monday-Thursday in school with training and reflection at the University on Fridays. This ensures a weekly focus on theory and pedagogy linking with practice and an important opportunity to be supported by your university tutor and peers in your subject cohort. Studying alongside PGCE trainees, off-the-job learning involves a stimulating mix of lectures, workshops, tutorials and school visits led by University of Sussex education faculty, teachers from partnership schools and other educational experts. Apprentices starting in June and new to employment in school will begin on-the-job, school-based learning in June and July to become familiar with school life. Apprentices with more extensive school experience will begin in September. Learning for all apprentices in early September is front-loaded with full-time, three-week attendance on campus plus online learning which prepares apprentices for the classroom. Thereafter full-time apprentices spend Mondays to Thursdays in school, attending the University Campus on Fridays for lectures, workshops and seminars with our team of experienced teacher educators. A university subject/phase specialist tutor will be assigned to support you whilst on the programme and you will be eligible to access a wide range of support services provided by the University. In addition to passing two school placements, assessments are a 3000-word essay, submitted in January and an innovative Viva style level exit interview in May. As an apprentice, you will also complete an ‘End Point Assessment’ – the EPA is an independent assessment at the final stage of your apprenticeship. It tests the knowledge, skills and behaviours that you have gained during your apprenticeship programme. You will not be able to achieve your apprenticeship without passing your EPA. Post Graduate Teacher Apprentices are contracted for twelve months, so continue to teach in the main placement school once their university course has finished. https://www.sussex.ac.uk/schools/education-and-social-work/study/education/teacher-training#:~:text=You%20can%20take%20a%20Postgraduate,Postgraduate%20Teacher%20Apprenticeships%20(PGTA).

Interview process - Once entry requirements have been met you will be invited to a Sussex University interview, either face to face or online via Zoom. Prior to interview you will • Listen to a video talk giving further information about the Sussex course • Complete paperwork including our ‘Suitability for Teaching Declaration’. These will be sent to you by email in your invitation to interview • Have an individual online interview, via Zoom or face to face with a Sussex tutor. • Deliver a short pre-prepared classroom type teaching task or presentation to the panel. You will receive details of the task in your invitation to interview. • Show the interview panel a form of photo ID on camera or in person for checking • Ask the panel questions about your course. If, after the University interview, they feel you are suitable to continue with the application process, your selected school will offer you an interview. You will be expected to: • Give a lesson for 30 minutes - topic will be provided to you in advance of the interview to give you time to prepare. • Complete a written Task • Presentation to a Formal Interview panel - topic will be provided to you in advance of the interview to give you time to prepared, followed by the Formal Interview. If both the University of Sussex and your selected school agree, you will then be offered a Teacher Training Apprenticeship.

Course length - 1 year FT, 2 yea PT

Salary - Paid by the school on the Unqualified Teachers Scale which at present is approximately £23,140 per annum. (awaiting Government ratification)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/funding-initial-teacher-training-itt/funding-initial-teacher-training-itt-academic-year-2025-to-2026

All trainees must have the Right to Work in the UK approved prior to applying.

Schools within the Kent Oaks Consortium DO NOT pay for Visa Sponsorship.

Degree - 2:2 or above, or equivalent

A strong knowledge and understanding of Biology, and a sound awareness of how the subject is currently taught within Secondary state schools; An undergraduate degree in Biology. Other related degrees and professional experience may be considered if a Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) course is undertaken before starting the teacher training course. Your qualification must be from an approved Higher Education institution or validating body; International requirements - Advanced level (7.0 overall, including at least 6.5 in each component). Check your IELTS qualifications meets all of our language requirements

GCSE - Grade 4 (C) or above in English and maths, or equivalent qualification

Candidates with pending GCSEs will be considered Equivalency tests will be accepted in English or maths.

You must provide evidence of these qualifications or pending exams, at interview.

You must have the ‘Right to Work in the UK’ confirmed prior to applying.

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