Train to Teach Locally in September 2027
Start your teaching career close to home
Train to become a teacher with Ofsted-rated Strong Inspiring Future Teachers.
Our school-based teacher training programmes allow you to learn in real schools from day one, supported by experienced teachers, expert mentors and a local training team. Following our 2026 Ofsted inspection, Inspiring Future Teachers was rated Strong, recognising the quality of our training, mentoring and preparation for the classroom.
With training locations across the South of England, you can start your journey into teaching without having to move away or travel to a university every day.
Train locally. Learn in schools
We believe the best place to learn how to become a great teacher is in a school.
Rather than spending most of your training year on a university campus, you will become part of a school community and develop your skills alongside experienced teachers.
Your school experience is supported by structured training, subject and phase specialists, regular mentoring and evidence-informed professional development.
From your first observations to taking responsibility for your own lessons, you'll gradually build the knowledge, confidence and experience needed to begin your career as a qualified teacher.
Find teacher training near you
We work with schools and local teacher training hubs across:
Berkshire -Teacher training opportunities including Reading, Wokingham, Bracknell and surrounding areas.
Brighton & Hove - Primary and secondary teacher training across Brighton and surrounding areas.
Croydon - Train with schools across Croydon and the surrounding area.
Dorset - Teacher training opportunities including Christchurch and surrounding areas.
East Sussex - Training opportunities including Uckfield and surrounding areas.
Hampshire - Train in schools across Hampshire, including Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Eastleigh, Basingstoke and surrounding areas.
Isle of Wight - Train locally with primary and secondary schools on the Isle of Wight.
Kent - Primary and secondary teacher training opportunities across Kent and Medway.
Oxfordshire - Teacher training opportunities across Oxfordshire and surrounding areas.
Surrey - Train with our network of schools across Surrey, including Guildford, Woking, Epsom, Camberley, Redhill and surrounding areas.
West Sussex - Training opportunities across West Sussex, including Horsham, Crawley, Worthing and surrounding areas.
What would you like to teach?
Primary Teacher Training
Train to teach children at primary level while spending the majority of your training in school.
You'll gradually build your classroom experience, supported by experienced teachers and primary curriculum specialists throughout your training.
Secondary Teacher Training
Turn your subject knowledge and experience into a career in the classroom.
We offer secondary teacher training across a wide range of subjects, with specialist subject support alongside your school-based training.
A teacher training route that works for you
There is more than one way to train to teach.
Depending on your circumstances, subject and local availability, routes may include:
Fee-funded teacher training
Complete your teacher training over an academic year, with tuition fee and maintenance loans available to eligible trainees.
Salaried teacher training
Limited salaried training opportunities may be available through some of our partner schools.
Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship
If you're employed by a school, an apprenticeship may allow you to train towards Qualified Teacher Status while remaining employed.
Part-time teacher training
Selected hubs and subjects offer more flexible training options for candidates who cannot commit to a traditional full-time programme.
QTS or QTS with a PGCE?
All of our teacher training routes lead towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
Eligible trainees can also choose to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) alongside their teacher training.
Our PGCE is delivered in partnership with the University of Brighton and includes 60 Master's-level credits.
Could teacher training be more affordable than you think?
Depending on the route and subject you choose, support may include:
- Tuition fee loans
- Maintenance loans
- Tax-free teacher training bursaries for eligible secondary subjects
- Scholarships for selected subjects
- Salaried training opportunities
- Apprenticeship-funded training
Funding and bursary amounts vary by subject and training year.
Am I eligible to train to teach?
For postgraduate teacher training you will normally need:
- An undergraduate degree or equivalent
- GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4/C or above, or an accepted equivalent
- For primary teaching, GCSE Science at grade 4/C or above, or an accepted equivalent
Don't worry if your qualifications are unusual, were gained outside the UK or you're unsure which route is right for you. Our local teams can help you understand your options. Just give us an email.
info@inspiringft.org
Changing career? You don't need to have worked in a school.
Teaching attracts people from a huge range of careers and backgrounds.
For our standard fee-funded route, previous classroom experience is not required.
The skills you've built elsewhere - communication, leadership, organisation, creativity, problem solving and subject expertise - can all help you become a great teacher.
If you're thinking about changing career but aren't sure whether teaching is right for you, speak to your local team or arrange school experience before making your decision.
Why train with Inspiring Future Teachers?
Learn in schools from day one
Experience the realities of teaching while learning directly from experienced classroom practitioners.
Train close to home
Our regional hub model means your training and school placements are organised locally wherever possible.
Personal support
You'll have support from your school mentor, professional tutor, subject or phase specialists and your local IFT training team.
Evidence-informed training
Your centre-based training connects educational research with what you're experiencing every day in the classroom.
Primary and secondary routes
Choose from primary teacher training or a wide range of secondary subjects.
Part of something bigger
Benefit from the expertise of a large teacher training partnership while still receiving personalised support from people working in schools in your local area.
Thinking about training to teach in September 2027?
You don't need to have everything figured out yet.
Tell us where you live and what you're interested in teaching and we'll put you in touch with the right local team.
Registering your interest doesn't commit you to applying.