Training and careers

Initial Teacher Training – Teacher of SEND

At The Gallery Trust, we work in partnership with Best Practice Network to deliver a specialist Initial Teacher Training (ITT) SEND programme. This programme enables trainees to train as a Teacher of SEND from the outset, undertaking a salaried apprenticeship within our schools.

Now in its second year, the programme has successfully trained and nurtured new talent into our classrooms, supporting the development of highly skilled SEND practitioners.

Trainees spend the majority of the academic year based in a placement school, allowing them to build strong relationships with pupils and colleagues while working towards Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). As a school-centred ITT programme, trainees teach from day one and achieve QTS at the end of the academic year.

Following completion of the programme, 100% of last year’s cohort were offered full-time roles within their placement schools and SEND provisions.

This programme is fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, meaning there is no cost to the trainee if successful at application.

If you are interested in joining one of our schools as a trainee, please contact recruitment@thegallerytrust.co.uk

In addition to delivering teacher training within our own schools, The Gallery Trust provides the Best Practice Network Initial Teacher Training SEND programme nationally. This partnership allows us to share our specialist expertise with schools across the country, ensuring equitable access to high-quality specialist SEND training for teachers who wish to follow a specialist route from the start of their career.

To find out more, please contact enquiries@bestpracticenet.co.uk

Future Teachers Programme

The Future Teachers programme is an exciting opportunity for graduates who are considering a career in teaching. It offers a one-year paid placement in one of our schools, providing valuable classroom experience before embarking on formal teacher training.

Future Teachers work as Cover Supervisors or Teaching Assistants, gaining hands-on experience and developing essential classroom skills. After the first year, participants can progress onto one of several pathways, depending on experience and aspirations:

• Entry onto the ITT Teacher of SEND programme
• Further professional development through a Level 5 HLTA SEND qualification
• Progression as a Cover Supervisor

All pathways enable participants to earn while they learn, with access to ongoing support and high-quality training to support professional growth.

Our schools benefit from dedicated cover supervision, improving continuity for pupils, reducing pressure on teaching staff, and supporting staff wellbeing. The programme also allows prospective teachers to gain a realistic and informed understanding of life in the classroom.

Information for Schools

We have partnered with Teaching Personnel to deliver a first-of-its-kind Future Teacher of SEND pathway, supporting schools to recruit graduates and develop a sustainable ‘grow your own’ workforce.

Future Teachers of SEND benefit from:

• A fully vetted and compliant service
• Access to free CPD to support classroom development
• A clear progression pathway into salaried teacher training

The programme is designed for graduates who are interested in exploring teaching as a career, providing hands-on experience while being paid a fair salary. Following the first year, participants can apply for teacher training via a salaried route.

For further information or to apply, please contact recruitment@thegallerytrust.co.uk

We accept applications throughout the year, so please get in touch to find out more.

Professional Development and Career Progression

At The Gallery Trust, we are committed to investing in our people and developing talent at every stage of their careers. We offer a comprehensive programme of in-house professional development, including leadership development programmes, clearly defined career pathways, and apprenticeship routes for Teaching Assistants.

We actively support the delivery of the National Professional Qualification SENCO, alongside working with trusted external providers to ensure our workforce has access to high-quality, specialist training. This blended approach enables us to grow expertise from within, support progression into leadership, and ensure our staff are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver exceptional SEND provision.