Get classroom experience

Getting classroom experience can be a good way to help you feel more familiar with the school environment before you start your placement. Many providers recommend it.

You could arrange a few days in person with a school near you or explore life in the classroom virtually on TeachQuest. This is an external link.

You can also try the realistic job preview tool. This is an external link where you can respond to realistic video scenarios to understand what life in the classroom is like.

You don’t have to have classroom experience before you start training, but it could help you feel better prepared.

Get as much experience in school as possible, as this tells you a lot about how schools work and function.

Maths trainee from 2024/25

Get school experience. This is an external link

Find out about funding

There are lots of different ways to fund your teacher training.

Depending on the subject you’re training to teach, you could be eligible for a scholarship or bursary.

You may also be entitled to extra support if you:

  • are a parent or carer
  • have a learning difficulty, health condition or disability
  • are a veteran

You may also be eligible for some funding from your provider – you might want to speak to them about this before you start your course.

Find out how to fund your training. This is an external link

Talk to your training provider

Your training provider may have already been in touch and started your induction. Don’t worry if not – many providers will wait until September.

You might want to think about any questions you have about your training to ask during your induction. For example, key milestones and assessments throughout the year and what support might be available.

You’ll also need to update your provider if your circumstances have changed, for example, if you’ve moved as this could affect your placements.

What to expect from your teacher training provider

Discuss any reasonable adjustments

Teacher training providers can make adjustments if you need support to become a teacher. This includes support for:

  • neurodiversity
  • long term physical health conditions
  • mental health conditions
  • accessibility needs

It’s best to talk to your provider about this as soon as possible to make sure you have all the support you need in place.

Explore adjustments to help you train to teach. This is an external link

Read advice from former trainees

Prepare for your training by reading the advice of former trainee teachers from the 2024/25 academic year.

Read advice from former trainees