Funding for teacher training and development
The Apprenticeship Levy is a tax paid by large employers in England. Levy funds can be accessed to spend on apprenticeship training and assessment.
The levy cannot be used to cover wages or employment costs and apprentices must be employed by the school throughout the programme.
Why should your school use apprenticeships?
By using the Apprenticeship Levy Scheme, your school can provide free, high-quality initial teacher training and professional development opportunities to its staff. It can impact on the following:
- Training budgets: Apprenticeships offer a cost-effective way to invest in staff development and succession. Your school can access funding from £4,000 to £15,000 for our apprenticeship courses.
- Initial teacher training: The Apprenticeship Levy will cover fees to provide an accessible salaried route for eligible staff to gain Qualified Teacher Status through the Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship.
- Leadership development: Apprenticeships can be used as part of your school's strategic workforce planning, to promote a diverse and inclusive school leadership.
- Staff Retention: Apprenticeships boost staff retention by providing teachers and leaders with career development opportunities. This benefits your school with greater stability and reduced recruitment costs.
- Recruitment: Your school can recruit into apprenticeships and use them to attract new staff to shortage subjects or address skills gaps.
How can my school access the apprenticeship levy?
All English schools can access Apprenticeship Levy funding. Access details vary by school status.
Why choose NITE?
We are an established provider of apprenticeships that combine school-based, on-the-job learning with engaging and flexible online courses. To date, NITE has worked with over 400 schools, local authorities and multi-academy trusts across England to provide apprenticeships for their staff.
Our apprenticeships
Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (Primary Education)
Provides a fee-free, salaried route for those without a degree to gain a degree and qualified teacher status (QTS)
Postgraduate Teacher Apprenticeship
Provides a fee-free, salaried route for graduates to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
Specialist Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship
Offers professional development for staff in support roles and can be a step towards a teacher training.
Coaching Professional
Offers formal accreditation to staff whose role includes mentoring and coaching.
Senior Leader Plus MA in Educational Leadership
Run together with our MA in Educational Leadership, complete just one additional unit to receive both awards at no cost.
Final funded cohort December 2025.
More apprenticeship options
Other apprenticeships relevant to the wider school workforce are offered through Coventry University’s Better Futures.
Senior Leader Apprentices
Retrain or upskill at no cost to you or your school — while you still can. Funding for Level 7 apprenticeships will stop on 31st December 2025. We have two further opportunities to join this course, starting September and December. If you’ve been considering stepping into senior leadership or strengthening your impact, now is the time to act.
End Point Assessment Organisation
NITE is an approved independent End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) for the QTS Apprenticeship Route. If you are an employer and offer the QTS Apprenticeship Route in your school, we can support you to conduct the End Point Assessment.
Find out more
Frequently asked questions
The apprenticeship team was exceptional in communication and offered support when preparing for the End Point Assessment. The apprentice found the communication reassuring, as it reflected the support that was available to them. Feedback was always taken onboard and acted upon promptly.
Neelam Raju, Student Success Lead Practitioner, Coventry University, 2024