Train to Teach

Heronsgate Primary School (rated Outstanding by Ofsted in December 2022), working with Greenwich School Alliance, take a leading role in co-ordinating teacher training.

We are the lead school for the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship route (PGTA) working with teams at Royal Greenwich Apprenticeships Plus and Xavier Teach South East.

This route into teaching encourages current school-based employees to make the next step into teaching with the support of their school and experienced staff from our partnership.

Why Train With Us?

  • We offer a 1-year ITT programme in primary and secondary teaching, which if successful, will lead to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

  • The programme will consist of:

    • Professional studies training covering topics such as lesson planning, behaviour management, assessment, marking and monitoring.

    • Subject specialist training to enhance your knowledge and teaching of the national curriculum.

    • Two placements within our partnership schools to enable you to embed your training and to further develop your teaching skills.

  • Predominantly you will be placed in your ’home’ school for approximately 28 weeks. A shorter, 6-week placement will be completed in an ‘away’ school, again, all within our partnership.

  • Whilst on placement you will be assigned a highly skilled mentor who will support, develop and challenge your teaching to ensure your experience is of the highest quality.We are committed to laying the foundation for a long and successful career in teaching. In order to support this, not only will you receive high quality curriculum and pedagogy training, but you will also receive 1 – 1 support from a pastoral coach to ensure a smooth and successful training year.

  • As an teaching apprentice, you will be paid by your employing school as an unqualified teacher during their year of training (£25,831 in 2023).

  • In 2023, Teach SouthEast were recognised by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’ in every category for the second time since their inception, ten years ago. Since 2013, Teach SouthEast has trained over 600 trainees; the majority of trainees remain in the partnership and many are already in leadership positions.

The Application Process

To apply for this programme, you will need to check that you have the following:

  • an honours degree (2:2 or above) or an equivalent qualification certified by NARIC

  • English, Maths (and Science GCSE for Primary) or equivalent: Grade 4 and above

  • you are currently working in a school who is in receipt of the apprenticeship levy

  • your school is willing to financially support your year-long training

You should have received the results from these qualifications before applying and any equivalent qualifications should be certified by NARIC.

Initial applications to the programme must be made to the Royal Greenwich Apprenticeships team by 28th March 2024.
Application Form
Please send your completed form to Kereen.Hurst@royalgreenwich.gov.uk


If your initial application is approved, you will be contacted and asked to make a second application via DfE Apply (we cannot accept CVs and cover letters).
This second application will then be reviewed and an official offer/rejection will be made before the end of May 2024.
The provider and course codes for the programme will be sent to you.

Any subsequent offers will be subject to the candidate undergoing all statutory safeguarding checks, including a Disclosure and Barring Service check an online check and an occupational health screening.