Program Overview

Learning and Skills Teacher Apprenticeship

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.

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

• 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).

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.

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.