Ambition Institute |

Ambition Institute is a national education charity and England’s largest professional development provider for teachers and school leaders. In 2023/24, 1 in 9 teachers and school leaders in state-funded schools developed professionally with us.​

Our mission is to help young people reach their full potential, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Join us and give every child the best possible start in life.

About Ambition Institute’s Teacher Training programme

Our teacher training programme is a 12-month in school postgraduate programme. You’ll complete most of your training in your main placement school and will also gain further skills and experience in a contrasting school, giving you immediate opportunities to practise the theory you’ve learnt in a classroom. 

On successful completion of the programme, you will have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and 60 credits towards a master’s degree.

You can find more information about our teacher training programme and the locations you can train in by clicking ‘Featured opportunities’ below.

1. Application: The first step when applying is to select which of our school partners you want to train with. You can do this by clicking the ‘Apply’ button and navigating to our partner map tool to choose your preferred school partner in the region suited to you. You will then be able to register with this partner and complete Ambition's short application form - this will take you approximately 15 minutes to complete.
2. Interview: Our friendly team at Ambition will assess your application and if you are eligible, will pass your application to your chosen school partner. You will then be invited to attend an interview by this partner, they will be in touch with you to arrange this. Your invite will include:

• Details about the structure of the interview, including the questions which will be asked so you are able to see these beforehand.
• Tips to help you prepare.
• Information you'll need to bring to the interview.

You will also be asked to complete some short online multiple-choice tests as part of the assessment stage, no revision or preparation is required for this. Additionally, you will need to share your proof of eligibility as part of this stage.

    3. Offer: If you are successful at the interview, you will be provided with a conditional offer. The conditions of the offer are dependent on you completing the relevant pre-programme checks, such as checking degree certificate gradings and DBS check.

Our webinars provide you with an opportunity to:

• Understand more about our teacher training programme.
• Hear from our current trainees about their experience.
• Gain a clear understanding of the eligibility criteria and financial support available.
• Get more insight into the application process.

On our teacher training programme, you will receive one-on-one support every week from your dedicated mentor, who will be an experienced teacher that works in your school. Your mentor will offer coaching and guidance enabling you to put your learning into practice in a structured, step-by-step way, before taking it live in the classroom. Your mentoring sessions will also include protected time to discuss your wellbeing.

We’re committed to championing diversity and inclusion across the education sector. Striving to make sure we attract, retain and develop the widest talent pool, by offering fair recruitment procedures, an inclusive admission process and a supportive environment.

• Gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
• Achieve a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
• Receive 60 credits towards a master’s degree.
• Get one-to-one support from a mentor.
• Learn with England’s largest professional development provider for teachers and school leaders.
• Qualify as a teacher in 12 months.
• Once qualified, earn a minimum starting salary of £31,650 in England (or more in London).
• Train in a location that suits you.

Once you complete your teacher training, you’ll be known as an early career teacher (ECT) for the next two years of teaching. During these two years, you can receive a package of training and support through our ECT programme, which has been awarded Outstanding by Ofsted.