Where to train to teach
Our in-school teacher training provides the skills and experience you need to become an exceptional teacher, helping you make the biggest difference to those you teach.
The first step in applying is deciding where you want to train and what you want to teach. Answer three quick questions below to help us match you with the ideal lead partner for your training.
You can also learn more about in-school training and our lead partners by clicking on the information icon here.
Information about eligibility, in-school training and our lead partners
What is the eligibility to join the programme?
We welcome candidates of all ages, from all backgrounds, and with all types of experience. To be eligible to apply, you will need:
- An undergraduate bachelor's degree with honours, or equivalent.
- A GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and maths, or equivalent.
- Primary school trainees will need a GCSE grade 4/C or above in science, or equivalent.
Check your eligibility
Please note that you don't need prior teaching experience to be eligible. However, if you are applying for a secondary subject with the following lead partners, you will also need to ensure you have the following:
- London District East Teaching School Hub: Either a degree or an A level in the secondary subject you wish to teach. If you are applying to train to teach maths you will need a maths degree, an A level will not be accepted in place of a degree.
- Dixons Academies Trust: Either a degree or an A level in the secondary subject you wish to teach.
International applicants
We accept international qualifications that are equivalent to our eligibility criteria above. You will need to provide an ENIC statement of comparability to progress with your application; this costs £69.60. It takes 15 working days to complete your order from the date ENIC receives your qualification documents and payment. For more information and to apply for your ENIC statement, please visit UK ENIC.
Please also note that you must have a visa with permission to work in the UK full-time by the start and for the duration of the training programme. Unfortunately, Ambition Institute cannot sponsor your visa. You can find out more about which visa to apply for by visiting Get Into Teaching.
Why choose in-school training?
In-school teacher training is becoming increasingly popular because it gives you the chance to apply what you learn in the classroom. You will get hands-on classroom experience from day one, building your confidence so you can teach independently by the end of the programme.
Unlike university-based teacher training programmes, where you’d have a number of different placements, our programme allows you to do most of your training in one school. The big benefit with this is you can put your academic learning into practice in a classroom environment where you feel familiar and comfortable. You will start building important relationships with teachers and the wider school community. Plus, you’re more likely to secure a permanent role at the end of your training.
Training in-school also means you gain a deeper understanding of your pupils, helping you to develop increasingly effective classroom management skills and techniques.
Why train with Ambition Institute?
As a national education charity, everything we do is focused on helping teachers to be the best they can be. This supports them to help young people to reach their full potential, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Training with Ambition means you will get the best of both worlds. Our expert curriculum blends the high-quality academic training you’d expect to get from a university with immersive, classroom learning. This helps you to build your teaching practice over time using techniques backed by the latest research and evidence on what works best.
We’ve designed the programme to be flexible, so you can do theoretical study on our online learning portal and benefit from face-to-face training sessions. Our programme also only focuses on one area of teaching practice at a time, ensuring your workload is manageable.
What do our lead partners do?
Ambition has teamed up with a network o lead partners across England. With over 350+ placement schools across England, you can decide whether to train where you studied, where you grew up or in a new location. Once you receive an offer, your chosen lead partner will work with you to find a main school placement within that region in a location that suits you. They will also find shorter placements in local schools that help you to expand your experience across different settings.
Our lead partners play a huge role in the delivery of your training, throughout the course, you will train in one of their schools. They will give you a dedicated, one-to-one mentor who is an experienced teacher. Your mentor will work with you throughout your training to offer guidance and support, including protected time to discuss your wellbeing.
Across the programme, you will learn our curriculum, practice what you learn in a classroom and complete your relevant assignments. This will ready you to achieve your Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) qualifications.
If you have any other questions, you can contact our friendly team via our support form or by calling 020 3846 5828 from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.
Primary is ages 5-11. Secondary is ages 11-16.