Frequently
Asked Questions
Our Q&A page offers clear guidance on school apprenticeships across England - for leaders growing their teams and learners exploring careers
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A Guide to Help with Most Frequently Asked Apprenticeship Questions:
Whether you’re a school leader looking to grow your workforce or a learner exploring a career in education, this Q+A page gives you clear answers to the most common questions about apprenticeships in schools across England.
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What is a school apprenticeship?
A school apprenticeship is a paid job where an employee learns while they work, gaining hands‑on experience alongside structured training. Apprenticeships are available across the whole school estate — from early years and teaching assistants to IT, estates, HR, business support, and leadership.
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Who can do an apprenticeship in a school?
Anyone aged 16+ living in England can apply, whether they are:
- New to the workforce
- Changing careers
- Already employed in a school and looking to upskill
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How do schools use the apprenticeship levy?
Schools and MATs can use their levy funds to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment. This means:
- No cost to the school for training
- Upskilling existing staff becomes affordable
- Recruitment pipelines can be built sustainably
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What are the benefits of apprenticeships for schools?
Schools benefit through:
- Improved staff retention
- Stronger internal progression routes
- Reduced recruitment costs
- Consistent, high‑quality training
- A workforce that reflects the needs of the school community MAT‑led delivery ensures training is aligned with real school practice.
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How does off‑the‑job training work?
Apprentices spend 20% of their working hours on learning activities such as:
- Workshops
- Online learning
- Shadowing
- Mentoring
- Practical skill development
This is built into their paid working week.
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What support do apprentices receive?
Apprentices receive:
- A workplace mentor
- A dedicated tutor or skills coach
- Regular reviews
- Structured training
- Pastoral and wellbeing support
This ensures they succeed both academically and professionally.
Apprenticeship Programmes
At MATAA, we offer a diverse range of apprenticeship programmes tailored to meet the needs of aspiring apprentices, staff and employers alike. Explore the options available to you.
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Apprenticeship Resources
Why Choose ?
MATAA was created in response to a shared belief: that apprenticeships in schools deserve a stronger voice, clearer standards, and a collaborative approach that raises quality for all.
We bring together leading Multi‑Academy Trusts (MATs) and specialist providers to create a unified, high‑quality infrastructure for training everyone who contributes to a thriving school community - from early years practitioners and teaching assistants to estates teams, IT professionals, HR, and school leaders.
Designed by Schools, for Schools.
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About Apprenticeships
"Priory Apprenticeships is proud to be a member of the Association of MAT Apprenticeship Providers. This membership strengthens our apprenticeship offer through collaboration with sector-leading organisations and enables us to play an active role in ensuring the voice of the MAT sector helps shape the future skills agenda."
Nicola Hayward
Deputy Head of Apprenticeships,
The Priory Federation of Academies Trusts