What is the salary of a teaching apprentice?

How much do teaching apprentices earn?

Salaries vary depending on the employer, region, and specific apprenticeship route. Schools and academy trusts set their own pay levels, although they must at least meet the national apprenticeship minimum wage.

On a Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship, you are not simply observing. You are employed in school, working alongside experienced teachers, building subject knowledge, and gradually taking on more responsibility over time.

What does the salary cover?

As a teaching apprentice, you are paid as a member of staff. Your salary covers:

• Your in-school teaching responsibilities

• Structured training and mentoring

• Classroom planning and preparation time
   

Unlike traditional university routes, you do not pay tuition fees yourself. The apprenticeship levy or government funding covers the cost of your training and degree.

This makes the apprenticeship route financially accessible, particularly for career changers or those who do not want to be subject to student debt.

Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship salary with Catalyst Academies Trust

Catalyst Academies Trust offers a Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship in Essex with a salary of £24,000 per year.

This 36-month programme is delivered in partnership with Brighton University. Apprentices are employed Monday to Thursday in one of our primary schools in Thurrock, including Grays, South Ockendon and Aveley, and complete university-directed study every Friday.

Over the course of the programme, you will:

• Gain a BA in Primary Education

• Achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

• Complete a PGCE qualification

• Train in line with the national Core Content Framework
   

You earn £24,000 annually while training, and there are no tuition fees to pay. Teaching responsibility increases gradually across the four years, supported by a dedicated school mentor, university tutor visits, and a Trust ITT manager.

Is a teaching apprenticeship financially worthwhile?

For many aspiring teachers, the apprenticeship route offers clear financial benefits:

• You earn a consistent salary while training

• You avoid university tuition fees

• You gain four years of classroom experience

• You build professional networks within a school community
   

Instead of studying full-time without income, you are building your career from the outset.

Taking the next step

The salary of a teaching apprentice depends on the provider, but many programmes offer competitive pay while you complete your degree and QTS.

If you are considering training as a primary teacher in Essex, the Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship with Catalyst Academies Trust offers a salary of £24,000 per year alongside structured, high-quality training in real school settings.