New fee-free apprenticeship route into teaching goes live
The University of Huddersfield has launched a new first-of-its-kind Teacher Degree Apprenticeship in Mathematics with applications now live.
The course is part of a Department for Education funding pilot offering an alternative fee-free, salaried route to become a qualified teacher.
Apprentices will work in a school from day one at the same time as studying for a degree, with their training and qualifications fully funded by the apprenticeship levy and their salary paid by an employing school.
Huddersfield is one of eight providers selected to offer the pilot Teacher Degree Apprenticeship in Mathematics, and the only one in the north.
The first-of-its-kind new Teacher Degree Apprenticeship is a four-year-long apprenticeship, with three days a week working in a school and two days a week at university studying.
Dr Niall Thompson has been appointed as the Course Leader, bringing a background in teaching mathematics at secondary level, including at a specialist maths school, to the role.
Dr Thompson was himself something of a maths prodigy, moving to Ashton Sixth Form College at age 14 to study A-levels in Mathematics, Statistics and Further Maths, before going on to successfully study the subject at the University of Cambridge the following year, aged just 15.
He commented: “The Teacher Degree Apprenticeship is the first course of its kind and a significant step forward designed to create a new route into teaching. We are providing an opportunity for people to grow in their careers while removing both educational and financial barriers at the same time.”
Teacher Degree Apprenticeship in Mathematics at Huddersfield
Head of Initial Teacher Education at the University of Huddersfield, Dr Nena Skrbic commented: “With a strong focus on teacher preparation based on immersion and first-hand experience of the teaching sector, the programme presents a valuable opportunity for aspiring teachers of mathematics to develop their specialist skills and knowledge in a supportive educational and occupational context.
“Importantly, it offers an accessible route to the teaching profession to a diverse range of people. This includes new entrants to the profession, second-career teachers, or those seeking an upward progression route in their current role.”
The University’s Director of Partnerships (ITE), Sarah Ahmed, added: “We are thrilled to collaborate with our partners and local schools in developing the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship in Mathematics.
“Our aim is to inspire the next generation of mathematics educators by integrating effective employment-based methods into our ITT offer. The Teacher Degree Apprenticeship will provide a strong foundation for entry into the teaching profession.”
Upon completing the Teacher Degree Apprenticeship, students will graduate with a BA(Hons) in Mathematics Teaching and will be able to begin working as an Early Career Teacher with qualified teacher status.
Apprenticeship success at Huddersfield
In March, it was revealed that the University of Huddersfield has the highest apprenticeship Qualification Achievement Rate (QAR) among Higher Education Institutions in England with more than 100 apprentices.
The data from the Department for Education showed a 2023/34 QAR of 87.6 per cent, which coupled with the University’s apprenticeship provision rated the highest possible grade of Outstanding by Ofsted, indicates the excellent learning experience for apprentices and their employers at Huddersfield.
For potential applicants or local schools wanting to find out more, please click here or email tda@hud.ac.uk.