A Lancaster school is the first in our area to be approved to run teaching apprenticeships.
Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy will run the scheme as part of its accredited Initial Teacher Training (ITT) provision.
This means that budding teachers can complete a 12-month apprenticeship, studying while they work aiming to reach Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The scheme will allow staff, such as teaching assistants, to study to become teachers without them having to leave school to start a Postgraduate Certificate in Education or take on a student loan.
It also creates a more accessible route for new graduates to reach qualified teacher status.
Training costs for apprenticeships are generally covered by the government’s apprenticeship levy, while the apprentice can continue to work and earn a salary while they study.
The first teacher apprentices will start in June, working and studying at Ripley.

Catherine Walmsley, Principal at Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy, said: “We’re delighted to have been approved to run teacher apprenticeships, which open up a range of career opportunities for people in the local community to train to become a qualified teacher.
“Industries across the UK are making the most of apprenticeships which allow people to earn a salary while they learn a trade and it’s a positive step forward that people in Lancaster can now get straight into teaching and qualify on the job.”


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