SEND

SEND apprenticeship pilot attracts just three recruits

National Institute of Teaching believes timing was a major stumbling block, but scheme will still roll out nationally

National Institute of Teaching believes timing was a major stumbling block, but scheme will still roll out nationally

Children

Just three people have signed up for a new SEND-specific course piloted by the government’s flagship teacher training provider. 

The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) announced a trial for the primary postgraduate teacher apprenticeship (PGTA) in May. 

It was set to take in 14 participants across 14 London schools this autumn, but has recruited only three.

NIoT, which said it had accepted deferrals for next year from 15 candidates, said it believed timing had been a major stumbling block.

The pilot was approved this spring, several months into the 2023-24 initial teacher training (ITT) recruitment cycle.

“We were overwhelmed with interest in the programme, and we already have many expressions of interest for 2024-25,” said Melanie Renowden, the institute’s chief executive

Melanie Renowden
Melanie Renowden

“We’ve learned some lessons from our recruitment processes this year, and coupled with the insights we’ll get from the pilot, we’re excited to see what 2024 has to bring.”

The provider initially said the scheme, which is supported by the Eden Academy Trust, would be rolled out nationally next September if it was successful.

It confirmed this week it would be rolled out further next year, despite this year’s shortfall in recruits.

The apprenticeship scheme was set up in response to understaffing in SEND. 

A previous Schools Week investigation found that six in every 1,000 teacher posts within the specialist sector in 2021 was vacant, compared with three in every 1,000 across state schools.

Latest school workforce census data shows this increased in 2022, when nine in every 1,000 teacher posts in special schools were vacant. 

The equivalent figure for all state schools was five vacancies per 1,000 posts. 

Latest education roles from

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building Character, Increasing Engagement and Growing Leaders: A Whole School Approach

Research increasingly shows that character education is just as important as academic achievement in shaping pupils’ long-term success. Studies...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Educators launch national AI framework to guide schools and colleges

More than 250 schools and colleges across the UK have already enrolled in AiEd Certified, a new certification framework...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

SEND

‘Best practice’ guidance promised for SEN units

National Children's Bureau will deliver review on how mainstream schools can set up SEN units as part of government's...

Ruth Lucas
SEND

SEND spend could hit £15bn (more than some government departments)

IFS calls on government spending watchdog to publish annual forecasts for high needs spending and deficits

Freddie Whittaker
SEND

Councils to test ‘local offer’ as part of new SEND inclusion plans

But the fate of Conservative change programme initiatives remains unclear

Ruth Lucas
SEND

Solving SEND: MPs reveal their 48-point plan

National SEND standards, special school 'centres of excellence' and exclusion inspection metrics - the education committee’s policy proposals in...

Freddie Whittaker

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *