Our school partners share why you should consider our PGTA route
10th February 2026
During this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, we had the opportunity to speak to some of our fantastic primary and secondary partners who support apprentices through our PGTA programme.
We asked them everything from what it’s like to employ an apprentice teacher to their experiences working with NTTC, and we thought we would share their feedback with you!
If you’re looking to give your staff the opportunity to train to teach, our partners give some great feedback on how supporting staff through the PGTA route has strengthened their workforce.
Sam
Sam Dangerfield, Headteacher at All Saints School Lessingham, talks about how the apprenticeship route has allowed them to foster talent within their existing staff, and create a stable environment for students to learn in:
The teaching apprenticeship programme offers a highly inclusive and sustainable route into the profession. It allows us to grow our own teachers, investing in individuals who have already invested in our school, understand the school, the students, values and our culture. Supporting apprentices to achieve QTS means we can develop confident, reflective practitioners while they remain embedded in day-to-day school life, ensuring strong continuity for students and long-term workforce stability.”
Sam adds how working with NTTC in particular has supported their staff to achieve QTS, saying
NTTC’s course structure is clear, well-sequenced and manageable. Communication with mentors and leaders has been consistent and purposeful, making it easier to align school-based training with course expectations and ensure the apprentice receives timely, focused support. We now have some amazing teachers that are perfect for our school.”
For schools considering upskilling their workforce with the apprenticeship route into teaching, Sam concludes by sharing why our programme has been the perfect option for them:
I would strongly recommend NTTC and the PGTA programme to other school and trust leaders as a high-quality, well-supported pathway into teaching. The partnership approach, flexible routes and strong focus on professional development make it an excellent option for building future teaching capacity.”
Alex
Alex Griffiths, Headteacher at Costessey Primary School, voices what has influenced him specifically to invest in staff who want to take their next step into teaching, saying
I see investing in individuals and their continued career progression as a vital part of being a headteacher. This programme enables school leaders to invest in existing staff, show them the confidence that you have in them to succeed as a teacher.”
When asked about how NTTC’s course structure has supported Costessey Primary School and their apprentice teachers, Alex commented:
The programme is really well designed, the course leaders are friendly, but most importantly, it is local and takes context of teaching in Norwich, or teaching in Norfolk into account. It also means that the trainee gets to know a good group of local trainees, building up a really vital network in schools from the start of their training.”
Lastly, Alex gives some advice to other schools that might be looking to encourage career progression in their current staff:
If you are keen to make an investment in the future development of your staff and your school, and show school staff at every level that there are development pathways if they want them, then enrolling staff members on to the NTTC and PGTA programme really will make a difference for your school!”
Considering upskilling your workforce through the apprenticeship route?
If you have staff that are looking to take their next steps into teaching, visit the PGTA page on our website for more information, or reach out to our team by emailing nttc@ccn.ac.uk or calling 01603 773708 – we’re always happy to help!