Find the answers to common questions about the Laurus Institute and the different opportunities available.

General Questions

The Laurus Institute is our way of bringing all of the Laurus Trust’s professional learning initiatives together under one banner. The Laurus Institute provides a comprehensive offer of externally accredited and in-house professional learning opportunities for education professionals at every stage of their career. It allows the innovation and best practice that is happening in each of our schools to be shared centrally and externally.

No, as an Associate College of the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT), we offer a range of courses and qualifications for all education professionals – not just those within our own schools!

The National Institute of Teaching (NIoT) is the Government’s flagship teacher and leader training and development programme.

NIoT programmes are designed by teachers and leaders who understand the joys and pressures of school life. The NIoT is run by the School-Led Development Trust, and is supported by a network of Associate Colleges.

We are proud to be an Associate College of the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT).

According to the NIoT, Associate Colleges are “selected for their expertise and track records in teacher development. As well as playing a key role in the delivery of our programmes, Associate Colleges also contribute to their design, drawing on local expertise and knowledge. This ensures that programmes reflect their local contexts and the needs of the communities they serve.”

Training to become a teacher

The Laurus Institiute is offering Initial Teacher Training (ITT) through the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT).

We offer primary and secondary school ITT programmes, and all trainees are given 39 weeks of professional learning and teaching practice in a placement school.

Once you have completed the ITT programme, you will have Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) and 60 master’s credits.

To be eligible for the Initial Teacher Training programme, you will need:

  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with a 2:2 or above
  • A GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and Maths, or equivalent
  • Primary candidates will also need a GCSE grade 4/C or above in a Science, or equivalent
  • Your degree or A Levels will need to be relevant to the subject/phase you wish to teach

Further information about eligibility criteria can be found on NIoT’s website.

You will be in school for four days every week, and then have training with NIoT on a Thursday.

This is how the course is delivered in each term of the academic year:

Pre-Autumn Term:

Flying start – a one-week programme for all NIoT new trainees. During the week, we’ll ensure that you have the basic tools necessary to prepare you for entering the classroom.

Autumn Term

You will have one main placement for the whole of this term. The course is fully immersive, which means that you’ll be teaching from the very start – but your timetable will be very small to begin with, increasing as the year progresses.

Spring Term

You will spend four weeks of this term in a contrasting school placement. The aim is to broaden your experience and field of reference. This placement will be provided for you.

Second half of Spring Term and Summer Term

You will return to your main placement school. This will help you to strengthen existing relationships and deepen your teaching knowledge, as well as providing continuity for your pupils/students.

Early Career Teacher Programme

The Early Career Teacher Entitlement (ECTE) is a two‑year programme designed to equip Early Career Teachers (ECTs) with the knowledge, skills and support they need at the beginning of their career. The programme is based on the Initial Teaching Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF).

Teachers who have completed their Initial Teacher Training and obtained Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) are required to work within the ECTE for the first two years of their employment. The ECTE applies to primary and secondary teachers in maintained schools.

The Laurus Institute and NIoT’s ECT programme delivers flexible training and support to help teachers succeed from the start.

Our programme offers:

  • personalised learning: Self-directed study materials to help ECTs learn what they need, when they need it. Our curriculum builds on what’s gone before, but reduces repetition from ITT years.
  • 1:1 support: Mentors receive training to guide ECTs on their learning journey, with clear action steps.
  • learning from others: Local networking sessions for ECTs and mentors to solve problems together.
  • access to international experts: In-depth, expert-led webinars for ECTs on behaviour, literacy, and formative assessment.

To minimise disruption to teaching, our ECT programme uses a combination of online and in-person events.

In their first year of teaching, ECTs will have a 10% reduction in their timetable. In their second year, their timetable will be reduced by 5%. This allows for regular mentoring, study and action from the ECT, and ensures there is space for them to embed their learning.

It is required that mentors also be given intentional timetable capacity so that they can provide the best support to their ECTs.

National Professional Qualifications (NPQs)

National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are professional development courses for teachers and leaders.

NPQs allow teachers and leaders to develop their skills, progress their careers and improve school outcomes.

Here are some of the key differences between how specialist and leadership NPQ courses are structured:

Specialist NPQs

  • 12 months long
  • encompass three one-day conferences, virtual visits to two schools and two masterclasses where you will hear from expert serving leaders
  • develop your leadership skills through practice clinics

Leadership NPQs

  • 18 months long
  • encompass four one-day conferences, virtual visits to three schools and hearing from expert serving leaders in three masterclasses (five for NPQEL)
  • develop your leadership skills through group coaching (and one to one for NPQEL)

All of our NPQs include online self-study that you can access flexibly. Visit the NIoT website for support determining which NPQ is right for you.

Interested in our offer?

Whether you’re thinking of becoming a teacher, applying for an NPQ, or just want to learn more, register your interest to stay in touch and hear about the latest opportunities, news and events.

Register your interest