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Train with Kingsbridge

Choosing Kingsbridge to start your career in teaching is the right choice whether you are a new graduate or a career changer. Our experience and expertise help you to make a difference, whatever your start point or prior experience. As a DfE Accredited Provider, Kingsbridge can offer you

  • High-quality Mentoring;
  • Proven Track Record of Achieving QTS,
  • Evidence-Informed Curriculum,
  • High Employment Rates,
  • Guaranteed Placements in Partnership Schools,
  • Well-being Prioritised;
  • Strong Focus on Inclusion;
  • Enrichment Visits.

Why Choose Kingsbridge?

There is a forensic focus on trainee wellbeing, curriculum and quality assurance processes which mean that the quality of the training is very high.

Haili Hughes, June 2024

The curriculum has effectively prepared me for classroom challenges and equipped me with strategies for effective teaching and learning. Additionally, the emphasis on reflective practice has been instrumental in my professional growth.

Trainee, June 2024

I am happy to be in a Blackburn school because it’s my home town. I feel comfortable, travelling is less anxious for me, and the schools are very welcoming and diverse, and can support my learning needs. I feel privileged to be a member of the school community in my home town.

Trainee, 2025

Training to teach at a school within the ATC Trust has been such a fantastic opportunity. The school fosters a warm and welcoming environment which nurtures trainee teachers to excel in the profession and really brings the sense of collaboration and belonging to life. The support I have received at this school has truly set me up for success. My mentor has been exceedingly supportive throughout the whole process and has provided crucial advice that I will remember throughout my whole teaching career. I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to work in a school such as Platt Bridge Community School.

Trainee, 2025

I wanted to work at Witton Park Academy due to how close it was. I wanted to contribute to and feel part of my local community. I was also drawn to how diverse the school is. From the start of my placement, I’ve really felt welcomed as part of the team—staff have been supportive and encouraging, which has made a big difference to my development. Training through Kingsbridge alongside this placement has been really valuable, in giving me both the academic input and the practical classroom experience to build my confidence and refine my teaching practice.

Trainee, Secondary, 2025

I’ve been training at Bowland for 5 weeks now and I’m absolutely loving it! I wanted to train at Bowland because of their reputation as a top performing school and I wanted the opportunity to share my passion for Maths with the students there. I’ve been able to do this and so much more! The students have a genuine interest for Maths and an eagerness to learn. I look forward to each and every day there as the staff at Bowland are supportive and have made me feel welcome and part of the team from day one!

Trainee, Secondary, 2025

At Witton Park, we have welcomed the opportunity to work in partnership with Kingsbridge; it enables us to provide high-quality trainees with high-quality support in our school. New staff bringing fresh, up-to-date practice and ideas is always a healthy addition to any organisation – we are no different. We have a duty to the profession to provide new, aspiring teachers with opportunities to develop! We all started somewhere. 30 years ago someone gave me a chance and even now I am grateful for that. I want to help others to be part of one of the most amazing careers that anyone can have.

HT 2025

As a Kingsbridge graduate myself, I know that the programme provides trainees with high-quality subject and pedagogical knowledge combined with the opportunity to implement this straight into classroom practice. The relationship trainees have with their school-based mentor is crucial: mentors provide a delicate balance of support and challenge to encourage trainees to step out of their comfort zone. We have a number of Kingsbridge graduates employed at Platt Bridge: they are exceptionally well prepared for their ECT years. Kingsbridge is a great way to shape trainee teachers to support your own in school recruitment through a ‘grow your own’ model.

HT 2025

Our Programmes

Kingsbridge can offer you three different routes into teaching. Our fully immersive, school-centred programmes help aspiring primary and secondary teachers apply learning in the classroom from the start. Click the sections below for more information on

1. Tuition Fee routes: Guaranteed placement in our partnership schools as arranged by Kingsbridge. ‘Tax-free’ bursaries are available for some secondary subject training programmes

2. Apprenticeship route: Please note that the Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship Programme is only available to those already employed in a school. You will need your employer’s agreement to apply for this route.

3. Assessment only – under review

Tuition fee which leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), and includes the option to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), 1 Academic year (Sept – July),

Guaranteed placement in our partnership schools and programme combining: 

  • Weekly in-school experience 
  • Setting-based experience in two contrasting settings  
  • Weekly training sessions with the Kingsbridge team or subject specialists  
  • 1:1 mentor support 
  • Intensive Training and Practice designed to provide concentrated, hands-on experience and skill development in a real classroom setting  
  • Access to the PGCE delivered by Bath Spa University 

The minimum academic qualifications* required for programme are:

PrimarySecondary
Typically 2.2 or higher degree.Typically 2.2 or higher degree in a subject where at least 50% of study is in the National Curriculum subject you intend to teach.
Minimum GCSE grade 4 (previously grade C) in English and mathematics plus science is required.Minimum GCSE grade 4 (previously grade C) in English and mathematics is required.

Original certificates for your degree and GCSE subjects or equivalents, will need to be brought with you to the interview or produced as part of our safer recruitment induction arrangements. *If your qualifications were not gained in the UK, you can visit the UK National Information Centre (UK ENIC, previously UK NARIC) website to find out whether your qualifications are considered to be equivalent to UK GCSEs and degrees.

SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

While having school experience would be helpful, this is not a prerequisite for applying to Kingsbridge EIP SCITT. We want to encourage a variety of teachers into the profession and recognise that not all potential teachers have had school-based experience. We recognise that new graduates and career changers have a wealth of other experience and knowledge that can be drawn upon in teaching. We therefore look for the potential to train to teach, for example, having excellent communication skills, being a team worker, responding to feedback and being proactive. 

HOW TO APPLY
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Available AY 2026-27 postgraduate bursaries

SubjectBursary
Biology£5,000
Chemistry£29,000
Computing£29,000
Design and technology£20,000
Geography£5,000
Languages
(French, German and Spanish only)		£20,000
Languages
(all other languages, including ancient languages)		£20,000
Maths£29,000
Physics£29,000

Find out more about how to get a bursary or scholarship.

Please note that the Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship Programme is only available to those already employed in a school. You will need your employer’s agreement to apply for this route.

Here at Kingsbridge EIP SCITT, we understand that you may already be working in a school that could support you through your teacher training year. We therefore offer a Level 6 (postgraduate) Teaching Apprenticeship that can be completed at your school.  

You can specialise in Primary or a specific subject at  Secondary level.  

  • Primary Programme (5-11) 
  • Secondary Programme (11-16) with post-16 enhancement 

Our approach combines in-school experience, centre-based training and online tuition.  We also work with and equip trainees with the skills to work in an array of schools, including those in challenging circumstances. These experiences will ensure that you can teach high quality lessons and positively engage with pupils through their academic work as well as their pastoral experiences. 

It is vital that you discuss this route with your school before you apply as the school has to employ you as an unqualified teacher in order for you to be eligible for the apprenticeship. 

Additional considerations for schools

  1.  The apprentice must be released for ‘off the job’ training each Friday and enabled to complete a second training placement within another school environment.
  2.  A suitably qualified mentor must be available to attend a series of mentor training and support the apprentice’s progress. From 2024 the mentor should hold the National Professional Qualification for Leading Teacher Development (NPQLTD). 
  3. An Apprenticeship Assessment will be completed at the end of the training year.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The minimum academic qualifications* required for programme are:

PrimarySecondary
Typically 2.2 or higher degree.Typically 2.2 or higher degree in a subject where at least 50% of study is in the National Curriculum subject you intend to teach.
Minimum GCSE grade 4 (previously grade C) in English and mathematics plus science is required.Minimum GCSE grade 4 (previously grade C) in English and mathematics is required.

Those applicants meeting the required standard by taking an equivalence test or by offering other evidence of attainment that intend to undertake the Post Graduate Teaching Apprenticeship (PGTA) will additionally need functional skills qualifications or equivalent qualifications at level 2 in mathematics and English to meet the apprenticeship gateway entry criteria.

Original certificates for your degree and GCSE subjects or equivalents, will need to be brought with you to the interview or produced as part of our safer recruitment induction arrangements. *If your qualifications were not gained in the UK, you can visit the UK National Information Centre (UK ENIC, previously UK NARIC) website to find out whether your qualifications are considered to be equivalent to UK GCSEs and degrees.

GRANT FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS (for schools)

The DfE has made some Grant Funding available to schools for priority secondary subjects; this will normally be used to support the apprentice’s salary.

Grants are paid on a per trainee basis. For 2025 to 2026 we are offering grants of:

  • £29,000 for chemistry, computing, mathematics and physics
  • £26,000 for French, German and Spanish (no other languages)
  • £17,000 for other languages, biology, design and technology, and geography
  • £1,000 for art and design, music and RE

Further guidance about postgraduate teaching apprenticeship funding is available in the postgraduate teaching apprenticeship funding manual.

SCHOOL FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS 

Salary Costs

The apprentice’s salary (+ on-costs) is the only cost which the school should incur. The apprentice is employed on the unqualified teachers’ pay scale (currently £22,601 at UT1 as of Sept 2025-26).

The training costs of the Teaching Apprenticeship will be funded directly from the apprenticeship levy account.

Training Costs

With Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship programmes, the apprentice won’t need to pay any tuition fees. The training cost of £9,000 per learner is funded through the employer’s levy / digital apprenticeship service (DAS) in accordance with our funding agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and apprenticeship offer. Schools should clarify the Levy contact before contacting Kingsbridge EIP SCITT. 

HOW TO APPLY
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UNDER REVIEW

What do I need to check before applying for the Assessment Only route?

  • You must be employed as an unqualified teacher (not a HLTA or TA) on a full-time timetable in the age phase for which you wish to be assessed. You should have the responsibility for the outcomes of pupils and be accountable to the headteacher against the Teachers’ Standards.
  • You must have taught as an unqualified teacher full-time for a minimum of two-years. Alongside the school you are employed in, you must have taught in a contrasting school for a minimum of six weeks.
  • You must have had experience of Key Stages 1 & 2 (primary), or Key Stages 3 & 4 (secondary)
  • You must be able to demonstrate experience of working with children and young people from different backgrounds across the ability range in your chosen age ranges.
  • You must be able to demonstrate that you have the suitability to teach in terms of appropriate academic capabilities and personal qualities, a positive attitude, and display professional ethics, morality and integrity.
HOW TO APPLY
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You can get a tuition fee loan and maintenance loan to fund your teacher training, even if you’ve had student finance before.

You could also be eligible for up to:

Find out more about how you could fund your training.