Qualifying to Teach – Achieving my ambition through the Teacher Apprenticeship

David Mendez is a Year 6 teacher in a London primary school. He is studying to achieve his Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) as part of our first cohort of the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship: Primary Education. Here David shares his experiences of the course so far.

The best thing about this course

I had wanted to train as a teacher for several years, but none of the traditional routes felt right for me, so I had not taken the leap. When I discovered the new Teaching Degree Apprenticeship, I immediately knew this was the right option. The idea of working and studying at the same time really appealed to me, and it almost felt too good to be true. I did not want to get my hopes up, but when I was finally accepted onto the course, I knew I was on the right path.

Managing the workload

Returning to studying felt daunting at first, but it was also very exciting. There was a lot of information to take in, but I was well supported by both my school and university mentors. Over time, I have found my rhythm. The workload is demanding and good planning is essential. Without it, things can quickly become challenging. Fortunately, I have strong organisational and planning skills, and these have helped me manage my studies alongside my work.

Reflecting on my first year

I am now nearly at the end of my first year, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience so far. I feel that I have developed professionally and learned a great deal, while also being able to put my learning into practice straight away.

If you are thinking about becoming a teacher, I would strongly recommend this route—it is a fantastic opportunity.