Teacher degree apprenticeship boosts North East classrooms

The University of Sunderland’s Teacher Degree Apprenticeship (TDA) programme, launched last September, offers a three-year paid route into teaching, combining hands-on classroom experience with an undergraduate degree and Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

It is already making an impact in schools across the North East, including St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle, part of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust.

Right, Kayleigh Lewandowski with Lesley Box, headteacher at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Barnard Castle (Image: Sunderland University)

Lesley Box, headteacher at St Mary’s, said: "Here at St Mary’s, it has already provided apprentices with an exciting opportunity to develop their skills whilst working closely with young children in a nurturing, hands-on environment that they already feel comfortable in as an existing, valued member of staff.

"By developing skilled staff who understand the school’s values and the developmental needs of our children, apprenticeships improve adult ratios in the classroom, resulting in more personalised attention, positive, trusting relationships, and improved outcomes for all pupils."

Ms Box said the difference is already showing in the classroom.

Kayleigh Lewandowski (Image: Sunderland University)

She said: "As their expertise grows, the impact on pupil learning becomes visible, for example, additional targeted reading support from an apprentice has helped pupils move up phonics groups more quickly.

"The knowledge, skills and talent that so many of our teaching assistants should never be underestimated."

Kayleigh Lewandowski, a current apprentice teacher at St Mary’s, said the scheme is life-changing.

Ms Lewandowski said: "This apprenticeship has enabled me to develop a strong set of practical skills, including effective behaviour management, adaptive planning and building my own knowledge and skills, which has subsequently strengthened my confidence in the classroom.

"The teaching apprenticeship has been a fantastic opportunity for me; it has made the path to becoming a teacher financially possible.

"Without the apprenticeship route, I simply couldn't have afforded it to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher."

Sarah Beck, academic director of apprenticeships at the University of Sunderland, said: "Apprentices contribute to schools from the start of their training, bringing fresh enthusiasm, new ideas, and long-term commitment to their classrooms, which strengthens their school communities, and this partnership approach helps schools to recruit and retain talented teachers."

The University of Sunderland is using National Apprenticeship Week to highlight the work of its apprentices, partners and staff.

Since launching its higher and degree apprenticeships in 2017, the university now works with more than 150 organisations and has just under 1,000 apprentices enrolled on a higher and degree apprenticeship programme.