Looking to “test drive” before embarking on your teaching career? Teaching internships offer paid work that lets you experience real classroom life before committing to teacher training.

What is a Teaching Internship?

A teaching internship gives you hands-on classroom experience through a short-term placement where you’ll observe lessons, help teachers and eventually plan and teach your own classes in either primary or secondary schools.

The Department for Education funds three-week programs paying £425 weekly. They run during June and July for undergraduate and master’s students.

Available subjects include mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing and modern foreign languages. The goal? Experience teaching before choosing it as your career.

Eligibility Requirements

You need an undergraduate or master’s degree in a related subject plus the right to work in the UK. For physics teaching, you’d need a physics degree or strong A-levels in the subject.

“As I was filling in the application form I realised that I had the skills they were asking about – passion for my subject, enjoying the challenge of working with others,” one intern explained. “By the end I knew I wanted to be a teacher.”

Finding Opportunities

Start with the Get Into Teaching website, which lists participating schools and regional providers. School partnerships from 2024 were invited back for 2025, but new school applications aren’t being accepted.

Major providers include Co-op Academies Trust, Harris Institute, and Creative Education Trust. Each offers different experiences, so research their specific programs.

Application Process

School partnerships start recruiting in autumn – applications for summer 2026 programs should open autumn 2025.

The process includes:

• Application form: Standard DfE paperwork for personal details and subject background
• Interview: Subject-specific task preparation plus formal interview
• Background checks: Enhanced DBS clearance required before starting

Maximize Your Success

Get a free Get Into Teaching adviser. These experienced teachers provide personalized guidance and notify you when applications open. They significantly improve application quality.

Build relevant experience through school visits, youth work, or volunteering with children. You can arrange unpaid school experience lasting one to three weeks to demonstrate commitment.

Show genuine subject passion. Successful applicants clearly explain why they love their subject and enjoy working with young people.

What to Expect

You’ll progress from lesson observation to actual teaching. “I observed lessons, provided 1:1 support to pupils, and even taught classes!” one intern reported. “The support was amazing – I was treated like staff and everyone welcomed me.”

Many programs guarantee interviews for their teacher training routes after successful completion.

Next Steps

Information about future internships becomes available autumn 2025. Contact a Get Into Teaching adviser now to prepare your application and get notifications.

These internships provide classroom insight while paying you to explore teaching. With proper preparation and early applications, you can secure your place and take the first step toward qualified teacher status.
The competition’s real, but so are the opportunities.