What Does a Week Look Like as a Teaching Degree Apprentice in Essex?

For most of the week, you are based in a primary school, learning from experienced teachers and building your classroom skills. You also have dedicated study time to work towards your degree and teaching qualifications.

If you are considering a Primary teaching apprenticeship in Essex, it helps to know what your working week could actually look like.

At Catalyst Academies Trust, apprentices spend Monday to Thursday in one of the Trust's primary schools, with Friday set aside for university-directed study. Here is a closer look at how that works.

Monday to Thursday: Learning in a Primary School

Most of your week is spent working in a Catalyst Academies Trust primary school in Thurrock, Essex.

Catalyst has schools in areas including Grays, South Ockendon and Aveley, and you will be placed in one of these settings while completing your apprenticeship.

From the start, you become part of everyday school life. That means working alongside teachers, supporting pupils and gradually developing the skills you will need to lead a class of your own.

Your responsibilities will build over time. At the beginning of the programme, you may spend more time observing experienced teachers, supporting small groups and helping pupils during lessons.

As your confidence and knowledge develop, you will take on more teaching responsibility.

A typical school day could include:

• Supporting pupils with their learning

• Observing experienced teachers

• Helping to prepare classroom activities

• Working with small groups or individual pupils

• Learning how teachers plan lessons

• Developing behaviour management skills

• Taking part in staff training

• Reflecting on lessons with your mentor

• Gradually planning and delivering more teaching yourself

The apprenticeship is structured so you are not expected to know everything from day one. Your teaching responsibilities increase as you progress through the course.

What Could a Monday Look Like?

Monday might begin with a staff briefing before pupils arrive.

You could then spend the morning supporting lessons in English and maths, observing how the class teacher explains new concepts and manages different levels of ability within the class.

Later in the day, you might work with a small group of pupils who need extra support or help prepare resources for an upcoming lesson.

You may also spend time discussing your progress with your mentor and setting goals for the week ahead.

As you move further through the apprenticeship, your Monday could include planning and delivering part of a lesson yourself.

The aim is to build your skills in manageable stages.

Tuesday to Thursday: Building Your Teaching Experience

The middle of the week gives you more opportunities to put what you are learning into practice.

You may work across different curriculum areas such as science, history, geography, art or physical education alongside core subjects such as English and maths.

You will also begin to understand the parts of teaching that happen outside the lesson itself.

This can include assessment, planning, safeguarding, communicating with colleagues and understanding how teachers support pupils with different needs.

Teaching involves much more than standing at the front of a classroom. Being in school for four days each week helps you see how all these responsibilities fit together.

Your mentor can also observe your teaching and provide feedback. This gives you practical areas to work on rather than waiting until the end of a placement to find out how you are progressing.

Friday: University-Directed Study

Friday is set aside for university-directed study.

Catalyst's Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship is delivered in partnership with the University of Brighton, which provides much of the academic side of the programme.

Around 75% of your Friday study is delivered online, with 25% taking place face to face.

Your study may cover areas such as:

• How children learn

• Curriculum knowledge

• Lesson planning

• Assessment

• Behaviour management

• Inclusive teaching

• Child development

• Professional responsibilities

• Educational theory and research

This academic work connects directly with what you are seeing in school.

For example, you might study different approaches to teaching reading at university and then see those methods used with pupils during the following week.

That combination of study and classroom experience is one of the main differences between an apprenticeship and a more traditional full-time university route.

Will You Need to Study Outside Normal Hours?

A teaching degree apprenticeship combines full-time employment with degree-level study, so there will be times when you need to manage assignments, reading and preparation alongside your school responsibilities.

Friday gives you protected university-directed study time, but you should still expect the programme to require organisation and good time management.

There may be assignments to complete, lessons to prepare or reading to finish.

The workload develops as the programme progresses, just like your teaching responsibilities.

The apprenticeship is designed to support that progression, but it is still a professional training programme and requires commitment.

What Support Do Teaching Apprentices Receive?

You are not expected to manage the programme alone.

Apprentices receive structured support through both Catalyst Academies Trust and the University of Brighton.

This includes classroom mentoring, university study and visits from a dedicated University of Brighton mentor.

You will also have support from an Initial Teacher Training manager throughout the 36-month programme.

Mentoring is an important part of learning to teach. It gives you the chance to ask questions, discuss challenges and understand how to improve your classroom practice.

Feedback also becomes more useful when you can apply it straight away. If your mentor suggests a different approach to questioning pupils, for example, you may have the opportunity to try it in the classroom that same week.

What Happens During Year Two?

Your normal working pattern is not the only school experience you will receive.

During Year 2, apprentices complete a six-week placement in a contrasting school within the Trust.

The purpose is to give you experience of another school environment.

Every school has its own pupils, staff, routines and challenges. Working in a different setting helps you see how teaching approaches can be adapted and gives you a broader understanding of primary education.

You will also receive subject-specific training based on your individual development needs.

What Qualifications Do You Gain?

Catalyst's Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship runs for 36 months.

During that time, you work towards:

• A BA (Hons) in Primary Education

• Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

• A PGCE qualification

You are employed by Catalyst Academies Trust during the programme and earn £24,000 per year.

There are also no tuition fees to pay.

This means you can gain a degree, professional teaching status and substantial classroom experience while earning a full-time salary.

Who Is the Apprenticeship For?

The programme can suit several different types of applicant.

You might be finishing school or college and looking for an alternative to a traditional university route.

You might already work in education and want to progress. If you are currently considering Teaching assistant apprenticeships in Essex, teaching could also become a longer-term career option.

The programme is also open to career changers who want to move into primary education.

Applicants must be aged 18 or over and will usually need Grade 4 or equivalent in GCSE English, maths and science, along with at least Grade C in three A levels.

Candidates with lower A-level grades may still be considered where they have relevant school experience. Approved BTEC qualifications and A Star equivalency tests can also be considered.

Is a Teaching Degree Apprenticeship Right for You?

A typical week as a teaching degree apprentice is busy.

You are learning how to teach, working with pupils, studying for a degree and developing as a professional at the same time.

For people who enjoy learning through practical experience, that can be one of the biggest benefits.

Instead of waiting until later in your course to experience classroom life, you are part of a school from the beginning.

You see what teaching involves day to day, learn from experienced staff and gradually take on more responsibility as your confidence grows.

Start Your Teaching Career in Essex

Catalyst Academies Trust's Primary Teaching Degree Apprenticeship offers a paid route into primary teaching in Essex.

Over 36 months, you can earn £24,000 per year, complete a BA (Hons) in Primary Education, achieve QTS and gain a PGCE, all without paying tuition fees.

You will spend most of your week learning in a real primary school, with dedicated university study every Friday and ongoing support throughout the programme.

If that combination of classroom experience, study and paid employment suits the way you want to train, you can Apply Here.