Train to be a secondary teacher Explore pathways to Qualified Teacher Status
AT A GLANCE CHECK-CIRCLE Teach your subject across the 11-16 age range with post-16 enhancement
CHECK-CIRCLE Achieve QTS in 1 academic year CHECK-CIRCLE Expert mentoring and support CHECK-CIRCLE Local secondary placements
Train to teach with Best Practice Network
Which training pathway is right for you?
Thinking of becoming a secondary school teacher? Our teacher training programmes offer a practical and supportive route to Qualified Teacher Status and a rewarding career in education.
We offer two high-quality routes into secondary teaching. Use this guide to find the one that suits you best.
Whichever path you choose, you'll gain real classroom experience, receive high-quality support and achieve a nationally recognised qualification.
About BPN At Best Practice Network, we believe that every child, regardless of their background, deserves an excellent education. We work with schools, education professionals and the Department for Education to deliver high-quality training and qualifications, supporting you to make a lasting difference to children and young people.
Why choose us for your teacher training? • 20+ Years of Experience – delivering
training for teachers, leaders and support staff
• Tailored Training – subject and phase-
specific groups across our national network
• Local Placements – 500+ partner schools
offering high-quality, in-school training
• Wellbeing Focused – QTS-only route
designed for a smooth transition into teaching
• Award-Winning – Education Apprenticeship
Training Provider of the Year (twice!)
The curriculum is very well designed. It prepares student teachers extremely well for the realities of teaching, enabling them to become highly knowledgeable practitioners with an extensive understanding of how to meet the needs of their pupils.” Ofsted | May 2026
• Proven Success – 90% of 2024/25
graduates secured teaching roles for September
Subject specialisms Biology • Chemistry • Computing • English • Maths •
Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship (PGTA)
• Ideal if you’re not yet working in a school
• Ideal if you’re already employed in a school
• Local school placements arranged for you
• Train in your current school
• Access student loans to cover
• Fully funded via your school’s Growth
• Bursaries and scholarships are available
• Salaried route (you are paid on the
• 11 months
• 10 months + Apprenticeship Assessment
• Awards Qualified Teacher Status
• Awards Qualified Teacher Status +
More information on page 4
More information on page 6
training costs
to eligible applicants
Secondary Curriculum Overview Our Secondary Curriculum has been carefully designed to enable student teachers to develop expertise in all areas of the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF) which will prepare them for a lifelong career as a secondary teacher and subject specialist. The curriculum is built around three core areas which are delivered through a mixture of live webinars, in-school training and self-study:
Best Practice Network
Unqualified Teacher Scale)
Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship
Subject Training In addition to Core Training, you’ll also attend 10 online subject-specific training sessions led by a specialist Subject Lead which will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to teach your subject across the 11–16 age phase.
Intensive Training and Practice (ITAP)
• Teacher Development
You’ll also take part in four ITAP weeks which focus on developing your understanding of evidence-based theory and teaching practice. These weeks will give you the chance to see expert practice in action helping you embed new strategies into your own teaching.
Core Training Days
At the end of your training, you will be able to confidently teach an 80% timetable.
• Behaviour Support & Classroom
Management
• Curriculum Delivery
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and Skills Levy
You’ll attend 10 online core training sessions during the programme which have been carefully designed to teach the core body of knowledge, skills and behaviours that define great teaching.
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The fee-funded route at Best Practice Network combines practical, in-school training with high quality centre-based training delivered by subject and phase experts. This means that student teachers are exposed to expert teaching and immersed in school right from the start of the programme.”
AT A GLANCE Course duration 11 months Flexible learning Train 4 days in school, 1 day online learning
Chloe Dolphin, Head of Secondary ITT
This programme awards Qualified Teacher Status Cost £9,790
Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training is perfect for recent graduates or career changers who are looking to begin a rewarding career in teaching and are not yet employed in a school.
Programme highlights CHECK-CIRCLE A chieve Qualified Teacher Status in just 11 months
Am I eligible for this programme? To apply you'll need:
CHECK-CIRCLE A ccess to student loans and bursaries/ scholarships to cover training costs
• A minimum 2:2 bachelor’s degree in
CHECK-CIRCLE T rain 4 days a week in a local school, with 1 day of expert training
• GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in English
CHECK-CIRCLE S upport every step of the way from
• The right to work and study in the UK
your subject lead, mentor, personal tutor and our wellbeing team
CHECK-CIRCLE O nce qualified, start on a salary of £32k
any subject and maths
If you’re unsure about your qualifications, contact us for guidance.
(dependent on location)
“I am a mature student who had a career as a nurse when I left school, it's never too late to switch careers!”
Scan here to find out more about the application process
Programme overview Induction
Term 1
Introduction to the ITT programme. Pre-programme reading and tasks.
Term 2
Term 3
School-Based Training School-Based Training (School A) School-Based Training
+
(School A)
Short contrasting placement (half a term)
(School A) Summative Assessment Recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
(School B) Preparing for Early Career Teaching (ECT)
You’ll train in two schools, your main placement in a local school, plus a short contrasting placement in a different school. Our Level 6 programmes give you QTS without a PGCE, which isn’t required to teach in English schools.
Student teacher 24/25
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The Teacher Apprenticeship played a pivotal role in developing my skills as a teacher. This pathway offered a unique blend of practical experience and structured learning. Allowing me to grow both personally and professionally.”
AT A GLANCE Course duration 10 months + Assessment Flexible learning Train 4 days in school, 1 day online learning
Student teacher 24/25
This programme awards Qualified Teacher Status and Level 6 Teacher Apprenticeship Cost £0 with Growth and Skills Levy funding
Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship The Teacher Apprenticeship is a fully-funded training route designed to help those currently working in schools to take the next step and become qualified teachers.
Programme highlights CHECK-CIRCLE A chieve Qualified Teacher Status in
10 months + Apprenticeship Assessment
CHECK-CIRCLE F ully funded training – no fees, no student loans
CHECK-CIRCLE T rain 4 days a week in your current school, with 1 day of expert training
CHECK-CIRCLE S upport every step of the way, access
personal tutors, mentors & wellbeing team
CHECK-CIRCLE E arn a salary while you train
Scan here to find out more about the application process
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Best Practice Network
Am I eligible for this programme? To apply you'll need: • To be employed in a school • A minimum 2:2 bachelor's degree
in any subject
• GCSE grade 4 (C) or above in English,
maths and science
• Residency in the UK for the last three years
and have a valid visa for the entire duration of the programme
Qualifications achieved outside of the United Kingdom (including Ireland) will need to be verified via UK ENIC through a comparability statement. If you’re unsure about your qualifications, contact us for guidance.
Programme overview Induction
Term 1
Apprenticeship induction; First day of learning activity. Pre-programme reading and tasks.
Term 2
Term 3
School-Based Training School-Based Training (Employing school) School-Based Training
+
(Employing school)
Short contrasting placement (half a term)
(Employing school) Summative Assessment Recommendation for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
(School B) Preparing for Early Career Teaching (ECT)
You’ll train in two schools, your main placement in your current school, plus a short contrasting placement in a different school. Our Level 6 programmes give you QTS without a PGCE, which isn’t required to teach in English schools.
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A Week in the Life of a student teacher Secondary Maths Apprentice Teacher
Meet Laura. She’s training through our Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship, specialising in Secondary Maths for pupils aged 11–16. Before starting her teacher training, Laura worked as a Learning Tutor at her current school where she found her passion for teaching Maths.
Monday to Thursday Learning in the Classroom Laura spends four days a week fully immersed in her employer school. She began by observing experienced teachers, then gradually started teaching herself. Her mornings begin with tutor time, followed by teaching maths lessons across years 7 to 11, from Pythagoras’ Theorem to GCSE preparation. She also spends time planning lessons, attending school CPD sessions and meeting with her mentor. Regular observations and personalised feedback help Laura grow as a confident teacher. She’s an active member of the maths department, and networks with other student teachers and Early Career Teachers to share ideas and reflect on her practice.
Friday Expert-Led Training
management, teaching methods and subjectspecific pedagogy. Some weeks include guest speakers or small group work with peers nationwide, all designed to support her classroom teaching.
Funding your training Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship (PGTA)
• Full-time course fee: £9,790
• Course fee: £0 – fully funded through
• Student loans: Eligible candidates can
• Salary: Earn a salary on the Unqualified
(subject to change)
apply for government-backed loans to cover tuition fees and living costs
Monthly Core Training Days Once a month, Laura attends a full-day online Core Training session focusing on key themes like adaptive teaching, assessment or curriculum planning. These interactive sessions offer expert training and valuable peer-to-peer collaboration. To help balance work and life, training sessions run from 9:30am to 3:00 pm, making it easier to manage school runs or family time. Over the duration of the programme, Laura is turning her real-world experience into a full teaching qualification, all while staying in the school she loves.
• Scholarships and bursaries available
(subject to eligibility)
the Growth and Skills Levy
Teacher Pay Scale while you train
• No tuition costs: Your training is fully
covered, so there’s no need for student loans or upfront payments
Payment options Best Practice Network requires student teachers to pay using one of the following methods: • Apply for a full tuition loan through
Have a question? Book a call with our friendly team.
Student Finance England
• Apply for a partial tuition loan and
self-fund the remaining balance
• Self-fund the entire tuition fee
upfront or via an instalment plan
For the latest info on financial support, bursaries and scholarships, visit our website or contact our team at: teach@bestpracticenet.co.uk
• Use scholarships or bursaries to
cover tuition fee costs
Fridays are for centre-based training. Laura joins live online webinars covering behaviour
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Your support team
Ready to Apply?
Training to become a teacher is a big step, but you won’t be doing it alone. At Best Practice Network, our dedicated team of experts is here to support and guide you every step of the way. From arranging your school placements to providing personalised wellbeing support and application assistance, we’re committed to helping you succeed.
Whether you’re applying for our Fee-Funded Initial Teacher Training (ITT) or the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship, here are the key steps to make your application a success.
Step 1: Apply through the DfE Facilitators and Subject Experts
Personal Tutor
Phase and subject experts deliver the centre-based training sessions to develop your subject knowledge, teaching skills and professional behaviours. They also monitor your progress on the programme and provide support to you and your mentor to ensure that you succeed.
Your personal tutor supports you and your mentor throughout your training, visiting your school for observations and check-ins to ensure you’re well supported.
Placement Team
Your mentor meets with you weekly, guides your learning, observes your teaching, and helps set development targets. They’re your main contact for school-based support.
Our placement team works behind the scenes to secure and coordinate your school placements, ensuring you gain valuable, relevant classroom experience.
In-School Mentor
Wellbeing Lead If you’re finding things tough, you will have access to a dedicated wellbeing lead, who is there to provide informal support during your training.
The Programme Team The programme team processes applications, organises interviews and supports you with any queries throughout your training journey.
Apply for your chosen subject or specialism through the Department for Education (DfE) Apply service. Once submitted, we'll review your application against our entry and eligibility requirements. Successful applicants will be invited to progress to the next stage.
Step 2: Register with Best Practice Network Register your details in our system and upload all required documents within 2 weeks. This allows us to complete our initial checks and progress your application.
Step 3: Employer Checks (Apprenticeship route only) Your school will need to: • Confirm your employment and apprenticeship support • Complete funding and eligibility checks • Provide the required approvals and declarations
Step 4: Attend Your Interview You'll be invited to book an online interview. The interview typically lasts 60-90 minutes and will include a short presentation. All applicants receive feedback. Successful candidates will receive a conditional offer.
Step 5: Receive Your Offer Need help applying? Book a call with our expert team here.
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Best Practice Network
Successful applicants will receive a conditional offer and guidance on the next steps including funding, contracts and enrolment.
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With the right support in place, there are no limits as to what you can achieve." Amanda Marsden | SENCO at Best Practice Network
Get in touch You can contact our ITT Enquiries team at teach@bestpracticenet.co.uk for advice on eligibility, programme structure and funding. For information on placements or hosting a student teacher, please contact placements@bestpracticenet.co.uk For the latest programme information, please visit: bestpracticenet.co.uk/initial-teacher-training
117 920 9428 teach@bestpracticenet.co.uk bestpracticenet.co.uk