Developing and qualifying teachers in the Learning and Skills Sector, from trade to teacher
An apprenticeship is a real, paid job. The apprentice works for an employer and trains with us at the same time, and comes out with a nationally recognised qualification and the experience to go with it.
The short answer
Level 3 qualification within industry or subject specialism.
2 years’ experience of working in the respective sector.
4 GCSEs, including Maths and English with pass grades C/4 or above.
You can become an apprentice on the LST if you are not already in full-time education: there's no upper age limit.
Applicants must be newly employed or early in their career within the teaching/training sector
Have the right of abode and right to work in the UK to qualify for apprenticeship funding.
Evidence of GCSE Mathematics and English Language (grade A*-C / 9-4), or equivalent, must be provided prior to application.
A list of acceptable equivalent qualifications is available from the gov.uk website, as well as guidance on obtaining replacement certificates. It will not be possible for applicants to proceed with their application unless they are able to provide evidence of achievement or proof that they have applied for replacement certificates. All applications are individually assessed.
The employer sets the real bar, so treat this as a guide. If somebody is close but not quite there, it is still worth the conversation.
The LST is for professionals, for both new members of staff and early career employees.
Learning that inspires learners to engage and achieve their full potential.
Covers Teaching my subject, Learners and learning
Developing subject pedagogy and learning the meaning of professional behaviours in teaching.
Covers Teaching my subject, Being a professional
Undertaking educational research and applying learning to practice through teaching, learning and assessment, including promoting positive behaviours for learning.
Covers Learners and learning
Ensuring the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of learners, with aspects of safeguarding and utilising digital technology.
Covers Safeguarding and emerging themes
A continuous developmental process that promotes teaching skills, mastering new knowledge and developing proficiency, which in turn helps to improve students' learning.
Covers Being a professional
Level 5
During the Apprenticeship programme, 6 hours per week of the contracted working hours will be spent on ‘off the job’ training, learning and developing the required knowledge, skills and behaviours.
This development time will include learning relevant tasks, embedding the knowledge within their role, practical workplace training, spending development time with their Line Manager, attending online/face-to-face teaching and time writing assignments/assessments, including directed self-study hours. The LST will spend time evidencing the application of knowledge within their working day, independent study and research, shadowing colleagues and mentoring.
All apprentices must undergo 10 observations, the majority of which should consist of a group of least 10 learners where the apprentice follows a Scheme of Learning. These observations will be at least 45 minutes each. Up to two observations of practice will be of live remote delivery and one other session may be observed remotely (i.e. the observer not present). Apprentices will have 2 hours of teaching and additional time to ensure the completion of the KSB equalling 6 hours of contact time. The Employer and Apprentice must attend 5 weekly formal reviews.
Occasional changes to modules and course content may take place. Students will be notified when applicable.
About
LSTs are engaged in a continuous developmental process that promotes teaching skills, mastering new knowledge and developing proficiency, which in turn helps to improve students’ learning. LSTs undertake educational research and apply learning to practice through ‘teaching, learning and assessment’, theory and skills, including promoting positive behaviours for learning.
The LST will develop subject pedagogy and learn the meaning of professional behaviours in teaching. There will be aspects of safeguarding and utilising digital technology.
Part of the LST apprenticeship is going through End Point Assessment (EPA), which is the final stage of an apprenticeship. It is an impartial assessment of whether you as the apprentice have developed the skills, knowledge and behaviours outlined in the apprenticeship standard.
Benefits for the Employer
The Learning and Skills Teacher (LST) apprentice route offers expansive and rigorous work-based training to developing and qualifying teachers in the Learning and Skills Sector, which includes post-14 education (Key Stage 4 in schools). The LST is for professionals (for both new members of staff and early career employees) and is a cost-effective way for your organisation to grow talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.
The LST apprenticeship will benefit your organisation through a range of factors such as developing new talent in the business, developing a pipeline of trade to teacher. By widening the talent pool within your organisation, growing a talented workforce, not only will you be championing inclusion and social mobility in your hiring and promotions processes, but you will also bring fresh minds and new ideas into your organisation, in turn driving positive change and fostering a more inclusive culture.
Benefits for the Apprentice
The LST apprentice role is pivotal to the success of delivering effective vocational education and training that meets both learners’ and employers’ needs.
LST apprentices can teach young people and adults within all parts of the ETS, including:
LST apprentices are responsible for planning and delivering learning that is current, relevant and challenging, and that inspires learners to engage and achieve their full potential. As a LST apprentice, you can collaborate closely with colleagues and other Education and Training Sector (ETS) professionals in supporting learner progress. LST apprentices ensure the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of learners.
As an apprentice you are in a paid job where you learn and gain valuable experiences. Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices spend at least 6 hours per week of their working hours completing classroom-based and online learning.
Learning Approach
Apprentices will attend on campus delivery and be supported in practice by a teaching mentor.
Study Commitment
Apprenticeships are designed so you work and study at the same time. The exact hours of your apprenticeship will vary depending on the job you’re doing.
With a full-time apprenticeship, you can expect to work around 30 hours per week, plus a day of study either at your workplace, university, college, or online.
In a typical week, you’ll spend four days at work and one at university, college, or a training provider.
Qualification Awarded
Apprenticeship qualification Level 5 Learning and Skills Teacher.
Next Steps
In addition to mandatory qualifications, you may wish to enhance your studies by undertaking optional short courses in:
Assessment is an ongoing process across the topics, compiling an e-portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your progression towards the apprenticeship standards and support the End Point Assessments of a Lesson Observation with Professional Dialogue and a Professional Discussion. The assessments are varied in nature, from an essay, professional discussions, observations to critical reflections of developing practice that contribute to demonstrating your progression across the apprenticeship.
There are numerous opportunities in the sector that extend beyond classroom work. Teachers can progress into middle-management roles, such as heads of subject area.
Not sure what comes after this one? Tell us the role and we'll tell you honestly which of our apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships or university-level courses fits next.
It takes two, an employer and an apprentice. Pick your side.
Recruiting, or formalising the training of someone already in post? Start with a conversation. We'll check the role, sort the funding, and get them enrolled.
Speak to us today 01302 553 913
Or advertise a vacancy through us and we'll handle the recruitment.
An apprenticeship is a job, so an employer has to take you on before you can start. Already employed in this kind of role? Your manager can put you forward directly.
No vacancy that suits? Register your interest and we'll tell you when one comes up.
