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Train to Teach English
Transformative practice
Subject-specificity is at the heart of our English teacher training programme. To teach English well is to understand its unique role in shaping how students think, communicate, and express themselves.
At Equalitas, we train English teachers who are prepared not just to deliver a curriculum, but to explore the discipline of English, supporting pupils to engage with literature, language and media in ways that are meaningful, creative, and critical.
Teaching English with Insight and Intention
Led by Juliet Searle, our accredited English Subject Lead, your training combines deep subject knowledge with subject-specific pedagogy to support you to become a confident and critically reflective English teacher.
You will gain an understanding of how to sequence, model and explain concepts and texts with clarity and purpose. You will develop your understanding of the role of assessment in pupil progress and the English curriculum.
You’ll explore the power of English, from the place of literature in students’ lives, to the role of language in shaping identity and communication. You will join a community of English educators who bring a shared ambition and subject passion into the classroom.
Our training develops English teachers who are confident to teach literacy, poetry, plays, novels, writing and oracy and who advocate for the role of English beyond the classroom to transform the learning of their English.
Teachers who follow a subject-specific curriculum gain a true understanding of the discipline of their subject. Their students’ learning experiences benefit from deep connections with the discipline, because their teaching goes beyond preparing students to pass exams.
Course details
Trainees are supported by in-school mentors and Equalitas' secondary subject specialists
Next cohort start date:
August 26th, 2026
Programme length:
1 academic year
Schedule:
- 4 days per week teaching in school
- 1 day per week of subject-specific training with Equalitas
- 14 of these training days held in-person in London’s Knowledge Quarter
Qualification:
QTS + Level 6 Post-Graduate Teaching Apprenticeship (PGTA)
Salary:
paid on the Unqualified Teachers’ salary pay scale
Transforming Education in English
Take the first step
Are you interested in becoming an English teacher? Complete our short form and a member of our team will be in touch to help you explore your options.
Eligibility criteria
To become a secondary English teacher with Equalitas, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
- A UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent)
- Ideally, with strong elements of English literature, language or related fields
- Grade C/4 or above in GCSE English and Maths
- The right to work or study in the UK for the duration of the programme
- A commitment to inclusive, reflective, and high-impact teaching
Not sure if your qualifications meet the criteria?
Contact our team or book an admissions call.
When you train to teach English with Equalitas, you join a subject community that believes in the power of language and literature to shape lives. You will be supported to teach with authenticity and ambition, teaching students to think critically, communicate powerfully, and empathise with the characters in the stories they read and write.
You will be supported to understand how to plan with knowledge of your students’ prior knowledge and progress and knowledge of their needs to support them to develop their literacy, reading, writing and communication skills.
Training teachers leaves a legacy. When you train a great English teacher, you're helping students become confident, creative, and capable of shaping the world through language.
Meet your community of transformers
Transforming through a community of practice
Where You’ll Train
Our programme follows a blended learning model, combining in-school experience and online sessions. You are employed in a placement school for the academic year, spending four days per week teaching in school, with one training day per week.
There are 14 in-person training days, held in London’s Knowledge Quarter, with opportunities to enrich the curriculum by training in locations like The British Library and the Charles Dickens Museum. These dedicated days offer the space and structure to deepen subject knowledge, connect with other trainees and engage with expert-led sessions.
Start your DfE Application
To start your application via the Department for Education’s Apply Portal, follow the link below. After you register, you’ll be able to search for Equalitas (provider code E69) and select us as your preferred training provider.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the eligibility requirements for Secondary Teacher Training?
To train as a secondary teacher, you’ll need:
- A UK bachelor’s degree (in a subject related to the one you will teach)
- GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths
- To have lived in the UK for the past three years (for Teaching Apprenticeships)
- To successfully complete a suitability interview with Equalitas
Our team will help assess your eligibility and direct you to the most appropriate route.
What qualification will I gain after completing teacher training?
Depending on your route, you’ll be awarded:
- Teaching Apprenticeship: Level 6 Postgraduate Teaching Apprenticeship (PGTA) + QTS
- Salaried School Direct: QTS only
Both routes lead to Qualified Teacher Status, allowing you to teach in UK secondary schools.
How long is the Secondary Teacher Training programme?
The programme runs for one academic year, beginning in late August and continuing through to July.
How many training days are there during the programme?
There are 14 in-person training days delivered across the academic year. These are carefully sequenced to align with your teaching practice and subject focus and are led by Equalitas subject leads.
Are training days in person or online?
We offer a blended model. 20 days of your training will be delivered in person at our Central London base or in subject-specific venues in London’s Knowledge Quarter. Other elements are delivered online or via guided self-study. You’ll need to be able to attend the in-person sessions across the year.
"The workload on the training programme is demanding, though it is manageable. The training and communication that you receive from Equalitas makes the workload both acceptable and enjoyable."
Take your first step
Whether you’re ready to apply or just have a few questions, we’re here to help.