Initial Teacher Training

Early Careers Teaching Programme (ECT)

You have gained your QTS /PGCE and are ready to start your first job in education, if you are interested in joining us click here to see our current vacancies. The ECT (Early Career Teacher) program is a two-year statutory induction course which follows your initial teacher training. The ECT programme delves further into essential subjects using the Early Careers Framework. In conjunction with The Teaching Hub Berkshire and UCL you will attend face to face and online training culminating in a research enquiry. 

The trust is fully supportive of Early Career Teachers and provides excellent support and guidance, including an experienced Mentor. 

Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

In September 2024 we became an ITT provider in partnership with The Ambition Institute delivering The Ambition Institute PGCE programme.

From September 2024 we will commence in partnership with The Ambition Institute PGCE programme as an ITT provider.  This programme supports the Department for Education’s vision to provide “a world-class teacher development system that builds from initial teacher training (ITT) through to early career support, specialisation and then onto school leadership.  This programme provides teachers and school leaders with the support they need to change the lives of the children they teach”. DfE 

Our partner, Ambition Institute, has created this excellent video that clearly explains the various pathways into teaching.

One Community. Many Ideas. Everyone’s future

We’re a unique and forward-thinking multi-academy trust based in Slough, with big ambitions for our staff and pupils. We aim to provide an exceptional education for every child through collaboration, high aspirations and quality learning which prompts curiosity, exploration and discovery. We actively seek like-minded staff who share these same values.

One community

The Arbib Education Trust has community at its very heart – from the first day we create a sense of belonging to our Trust and our local community.

Many ideas

We have a lot of expertise and skills across the Trust. We encourage a culture of collaboration so we can all learn from each other.

Everyone’s future

We want everybody passing through our doors:

• to leave with confidence, aspiration and inspiration whilst feeling there is no ceiling to achievement.
• to have a great sense of pride and fulfilment, making a difference to every child
• to feel enriched by their experience at the Trust

State-of-the-art facilities and resources

Our schools are designed to support 21st century learning.  We are fortunate to be a Museum Learning school, our Museum Learning team and resources help our staff work in innovative ways whilst bringing learning to life.

Our 2024 – 2025 Initial Teacher Training has now commenced but applications for the 2025 – 2026 recruitment cycle are now live.

Teachers make a real and meaningful difference to young people’s lives.

Transform your future and the lives of young people with expert-led, in-school teacher training, run by The Arbib Education Trust in partnership with England-wide education charity Ambition Institute.

• Qualify as a primary or secondary teacher in 12 months
• Benefit from evidence-based, flexible learning online and in-person
• Achieve qualified teacher status (QTS) with a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)
• Gain hands-on classroom experience and start your career with confidence

Register Your Interest Now

If you are a recent graduate seeking a teaching placement, an Arbib colleague considering a transition in to teaching, or a school interested in partnering with us for teacher training, please complete the form below and we’ll get in touch to discuss how we can help.

Expression of Interest Form

This Teacher Training allows you to do most of your training in one school. You can put your academic learning into practice in a structured, step-by-step way, with your mentor and peers, before taking it live in the classroom.  This allows you to practise in a classroom setting which feels supportive and familiar.

Your dedicated mentor will be an experienced teacher who works in your school and will work closely with you to provide guidance and support.

What you will learn

This hands-on programme is backed by the latest evidence-based teaching research. You will learn the theory of what makes a good teacher and put this learning into practice with your peers and mentor in the classroom. At every step, you will be supported by experts.

Each week, you will cover a module from one of these five programme strands:

1. Behaviour: How you can create calm, safe and purposeful places of learning, where all children and young people can achieve.
2. Instruction: How you can support all children and young people to learn in the classroom – from thinking about how you present information, to helping them learn independently in lessons.
3. Curriculum: How you can design lessons and curricula that help children and young people to learn new and more complex ideas over time.
4. Assessment: How you can better understand the impact your teaching is having and how to respond when your pupils struggle.
5. Professionalism: Looking at what it is to be a teacher and how to prepare for your professional career.

Each module starts by introducing you to the ideas and theories underpinning the practice. You will then learn, step-by-step, how to apply these ideas in your own classroom. Your tutors and mentor will make sure you have plenty of opportunities to see great teaching in action and understand the key learning before you put it into practice yourself.

We have designed the curriculum so that you:

• Focus intensely on areas of teaching we know can be complex and difficult to master.
• Tackle areas, like pupil behaviour, right from the beginning of your training.
• Revisit all your learning over time so that you keep improving.

How you will learn

There will be a combination of self-guided learning and face-to-face and online sessions with other trainees. In-school activities will include, classroom teaching practice, peer support and one-to-one guidance from your mentor.

You will also have:

• Focused topic weeks where we take a complex area of teaching and study it with the help of additional experts in education.
• Additional placement days outside of your school where you will experience the breadth of the education system in England.

How you will be assessed

You will be assessed through a mixture of written assignments and classroom observation.

In your day-to-day training there will be opportunities to show what you can do and where we can help you further. We will use a range of assessment tools to help you showcase your growing capabilities, inside and outside the classroom.

Programme length

This is a 12-month full-time postgraduate programme, commencing in September of each year.

Secondary training

Secondary training will be the same as primary, except that at least 50% of your weekly modules will focus on your chosen secondary subject. This will provide an excellent opportunity for you to develop your expertise in teaching this subject, alongside your core teacher training.

Most of your training will be in one school, supplemented by:

• A 2-3 week placement in another school during the final term
• 5- 10 days in an alternative environment to your main school. For example, with a secondary, primary, or special educational needs and disability (SEND) school

Our Trust encompasses three schools:

• The Langley Academy Primary
• The Langley Heritage Primary
• The Langley Academy Secondary

We will also be working with Ditton Park Academy to help us deliver this programme. Ditton Park Academy shares the same core philosophy as The Arbib Education Trust, making it the perfect partnership. Both trusts are deeply committed to unlocking the true potential within every child, guiding them to become happy, confident, and capable adults. Together, we aim to ignite a passion for learning, inspire curiosity, and celebrate every success along the way, ensuring that each student thrives academically and personally. This shared vision of fostering excitement in education and building lifelong learners is what binds these two trusts in their mission to shape bright futures.

We also have excellent partnerships with several schools in the Slough, Windsor, and Maidenhead area.

If you would like to train in a different location, Ambition Institute boasts the largest network of partner institutions offering teacher training in England. Contact them for further information.

Qualified teacher status (QTS)

Once you have completed your training, and demonstrated what you have learned in the classroom, you’ll receive qualified teacher status (QTS). This allows you to teach in any school run by a local authority in England.

Postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE)

When you have successfully completed our programme, you will also receive a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE). The PGCE is worth 60 credits towards a Master’s degree, if you pursue further study.

Tuition fees for our Teacher Training programme are £9,250.

Financial support is available through government bursaries, scholarships and maintenance loans.

Find out more about the current funding opportunities here:

Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loans

Bursary and Scholarships

Note: Bursary and scholarship figures quoted on the Government’s Bursary and Scholarships link apply if you're starting your training between September 2024 and July 2025. Financial support for courses starting the following year will be announced in autumn 2024.

Training is open to anyone who might have an interest in becoming a teacher and has a degree or equivalent and the right to work in the UK. You might be:

• A recent graduate looking for the first step in your career
• A teaching assistant looking to transition into teaching your own class
• Looking for a completely new career path

We welcome candidates of all ages, from all backgrounds, and with all types of experience.

To be eligible, you will need:

• An undergraduate degree, generally 2:2 or above, or equivalent
• A GCSE grade 4/C or above in English or Maths, or equivalent
• Primary school trainees will need a GCSE grade 4/C or above in science, or equivalent

For more information please visit: Initial teacher training (ITT): criteria and supporting advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria but would still like to train as a teacher, please get in touch so we can discuss various pathways.

How do I apply?

If you’re considering applying for the September 2025 programme and want some time to think about it, please complete an expression of interest form and we can get in touch to discuss how we can help.

When do I need to apply by?

Recruitment for the September 2025 programme has started. If you are interested in joining our programme please click on the link below.

Apply for our Initial Teacher Training Programme

Please click on the link below to complete our Expression of Interest Form.

Expression of Interest Form

Can I choose to teach Primary or Secondary pupils?

The choice is yours! As we have two primaries and one secondary within our Trust, plus our partner school, Ditton Park Academy, you can choose to teach either primary or secondary students.

In secondary schools, students range from 11 to 16 years old, and you can choose your preferred subject to teach. In primary schools, your students will be between the ages of 4 and 11.

Will I train alongside other programme participants?

Absolutely, your training experience is highly collaborative. You'll join a regional network early in the program, working alongside peers in your school or local network. Plus, you'll be part of a national cohort training with Ambition. This offers frequent opportunities for collaboration, learning, and sharing experiences.

Is subject choice flexible in training, and Are there availability restrictions?

In a secondary school you have the option to select the subject you wish to teach. In a primary school, you will need to cover a broader range of subjects. Keep in mind that certain secondary subjects may have higher demand, so it's advisable to express your interest early.

Is job placement guaranteed upon program completion?

Many placement schools often hire their teacher trainees, and your network within the school should provide you with local opportunities. Given the high demand for teachers in England, you should have a good chance of securing your first teaching job shortly after completing your training.

Is the right to work in the UK a requirement?

Before beginning the training, you must possess full-time UK work permission for the programme's duration.

We hope we have answered your questions but if there is anything you would like to discuss please talk to our friendly team to get your questions answered.

TeacherTraining@ArbibEducationTrust.org

We look forward to you starting your teaching journey with us.