Learning and Skills Teacher Apprenticeship

Apply now

Gain invaluable 'on the job' experience as well as achieving a Level 5 Diploma in Teaching qualification. Graduate with a set of highly valuable and transferable skills such as lesson planning, classroom practice, work-based research, teamwork and collaboration. Gain professional recognition and develop essential knowledge and skills needed to deliver outstanding and effective training within your organisation.

Overview

This Level 5 Learning and Skills Teacher Apprenticeship integrates practical experience with academic studies, including the theory surrounding teaching and learning. It's aimed at anyone who currently works in, or plans to work in the Further Education and Skills sector. This can include vocational education, training, coaching and mentoring roles across a variety of industries.

It's designed to develop professional teaching and learning knowledge. It will progress your planning, designing and delivery skills, helping you become a highly reflective practitioner. Experienced academics with a wealth of employer experience will support you to engage with teaching and learning educational theories and practice, helping you to explore how to implement this in your own delivery.

You will investigate the techniques involved in the design, development, delivery, assessment and evaluation of learning. Literacy, numeracy and digital skills are an integral part of the apprenticeship to ensure competence in these key skills areas.

Why us?

The School of Education are digital champions in delivering online education courses to students worldwide
The University of Sunderland is 1st in the North East for how teaching staff make the subject engaging. (National Student Survey, 2024)
We are experts in the field of education and training with a wealth of industry experience
The course is directly informed by both the national and international educational research and development work of the University of Sunderland Centre of Excellence in Teaching Training (SUNCETT) team

We have over 100 years’ experience of education training
Our apprenticeship was designed in conjunction with employers making it industry relevant
This apprenticeship helps you to plan and teach lively, interesting, and challenging lessons with confidence and expertise
The University of Sunderland's apprenticeship provision has been rated good by Ofsted (July 2024)

Course structure

This apprenticeship programme is a mixture of University-based learning and work-based training. With support from your employer, apprentices are required to spend 20% of paid working hours undertaking ‘off the job’ learning activities.

Apprentices will complete a mix of live teaching sessions and independent study. The modules cover the principles of effective programme design, adaptive teaching and supporting learners with additional needs, high quality assessment strategies, and an in-depth look at research and policy.

There is a strong practical element to the programme, and apprentices will be supported in applying their new skills and knowledge within their own on-the-job teaching and training. All apprentices will be expected to identify an area of development for a work-based action research project which they will design, implement, evaluate, and present.

You'll take part in regular meetings called tripartite reviews, providing an opportunity for your academic tutor and your work-based mentor to support you through your studies.

Varied assessment methods are used including written assignments, presentations, micro-teach, an e-portfolio of practical evidence as well as teaching observations in the workplace.

Course modules

Preparing to Teach my Subject in Further Education and Skills (Generic) (30 credits)

This module will introduce you to the roles and responsibilities of being a practitioner in the Further Education and Skills sector and explore appropriate teaching and learning approaches in your subject specialist area. You’ll gain a sound understanding of teaching your subject in a sustainable manner including resource development, assessment strategies, and ways to support your learners’ progress. You’ll explore mechanisms of supports and approaches to behaviour management and refine your ability to create inclusive learning environments.

Emerging Professional Practice in Further Education and Skills (30 credits)

This module will help you develop the ability to reflect upon and evaluate your own teaching and you’ll learn the key principles that impact on how we plan and teach learners. You’ll demonstrate effective planning and management of learning through a series of professional observations and work with experienced subject specialist mentors to refine your craft. Throughout the module, you’ll use relevant literature and theory to justify and demonstrate your ability to develop, improve, and sequence the lessons you deliver in practice.

Exploring Curriculum and Implementing Policy in Further Education and Skills (30 credits)

This module allows you to explore the wider context of curriculum design, including intent, implementation, and impact of teaching, learning, and assessment strategies, plus developments in digital technologies, fluencies, and literacy. You’ll evaluate models of curriculum development, as well as national governmental and global policy initiatives that have significantly influenced the Further Education and Skills sector. You’ll also investigate strategies for developing and promoting an inclusive curriculum, researching practices that will help you to identify and implement a range of strategies in the field of inclusion, tackling prejudice and discrimination.

Professional Practice and Introducing Research in Further Education and Skills (30 credits)

This module continues to assess your ability to reflect upon and critically evaluate your approaches to teaching in your subject specialist area. You’ll reflect on your journey and set targets to prepare for your professional formation year. You’ll continue to demonstrate your ability to develop your lessons and further refine your knowledge of the wider curriculum as it applies to your subject specialism and professional practice. You’ll also work with expert colleagues and peers to investigate, research, and improve an aspect of your subject curriculum. You’ll learn how to conduct research in a way that will allow you to investigate the effectiveness of your teaching.

Facilities

This apprenticeship is delivered through a mixture of University-based learning and online sessions. When on-campus, you'll be based at the recently refurbished Wearside View, situated on the award-winning Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's. This stunning riverside location benefits from dedicated library services and has superb transport links with the city centre and City Campus.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

You must be able to secure 150 hours of appropriate teaching/training over the 18-month apprenticeship.

You should have a subject specialism or a vocational competence in the area you wish to teach and have up-to-date knowledge of workplace practice. You should also be willing to develop your personal digital skills in line with the role.

Applicants must hold Maths and English GCSE at a minimum of Grade C or numerical grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent).

To search for apprenticeships offered by employers in your area go to gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship.

Fees and finance

Larger organisations can use their apprenticeship levy and government top-up to pay tuition and professional fees of higher apprenticeships. For smaller employers, the government pays 95%, with the remainder co-invested by the business.

For a discussion around your specific requirements please call 0191 515 3361 or email apprenticeships@sunderland.ac.uk

This information was correct at the time of publication.

A lecturer teaching with a screen behind him

Career ready

After completing this apprenticeship, you can progress towards Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, which is recommended for teaching in the Further Education and Skills sector. QTLS has legal equivalence to QTS and is recognised by some headteachers in schools. This qualification is completed through the Society for Education and Training (SET). Visit the SET website for further information on QTLS and to check your eligibility.

This apprenticeship covers a wide variety of teaching and training roles across a number of industries and sectors. Speak with our team if you'd like to discuss your organisation's teaching and training development needs.

Meet the apprentices

I’ve had a great experience and learnt so much, working alongside some fantastic people.

Jean Metcalfe
Being able to earn an income while I study towards an Apprenticeship has made such a difference.

Kim Newby
The apprenticeship has really helped me gain confidence to do more within my role.

Lisa Richardson

Related courses

PGCE Further Education and Skills (FES)

Contact

For a discussion around your specific requirements please contact:

0191 515 3361 / apprenticeships@sunderland.ac.uk

If you’re looking to start an apprenticeship, it is the employer that will advertise this opportunity, not the University. To search for apprenticeships offered by employers in your area go to: gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Page last updated: 05 December 2024

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.