The Rise of Teaching Internships: A Recruitment Solution?
A growing number of university students are embracing teaching internships as a gateway to the profession, according to recent data. But what happens after these internships? Do they lead to teacher training, and what does it all cost?
The Department for Education's Teaching Internships Programme, launched in 2016, offers students studying relevant subjects a three-week teaching experience in June or July. Interns are paid £455 per week, and schools receive £700 per intern for coordination and delivery costs. The programme aims to provide a glimpse into the life of a teacher through shadowing, joint lesson planning, teaching, and one-to-one mentoring.
The popularity of this scheme has surged, with nearly 1,000 students interning in classrooms in 2023 and 2024, compared to just 450 in 2021. This growth coincides with a broader decline in graduate opportunities. Initially, internships were limited to maths and physics, but they have since expanded to include computing, languages, and chemistry.
While the department lacks data on the number of interns who become trainees, it tracks those who apply for initial teacher training (ITT). Of the 2,147 interns from 2020 to 2023, approximately 26% (556) had applied for ITT by September 2024. Interestingly, about 35% of interns in 2020 and 2021 have since applied to teach, suggesting a more accurate figure.
However, the department acknowledges that some interns may have changed their contact details or names before applying for teacher training, potentially leading to their absence from the data.
The scheme's effectiveness is questioned by some. Hosting interns can be resource-intensive for schools and providers, requiring significant time for coordination and placement management. Despite this, schools continue to receive £700 per intern, although the government's payment to interns has increased with the national minimum wage.
Critics argue that the current funding is insufficient to ensure the scheme's long-term success. To maximize its value, internships must be adequately funded, clearly structured, and linked to broader recruitment pipelines.
The challenge of integrating interns into classrooms with already overburdened teachers is a recurring issue. However, some schools, like Co-op Academies, report positive outcomes, with more than a fifth of interns starting teacher training, and the rate improving annually.
The scheme's cost-effectiveness is debated. Between 2020 and 2024, the government spent £5 million on the programme, averaging £1,600 per intern. However, if 35% of interns pursue teacher training, the average cost rises to £5,000.
Despite these debates, the scheme's popularity continues to grow. The DfE has invited schools to bid for a three-year grant to deliver internships from 2026, with a focus on maths, physics, and potentially other subjects like business studies. This expansion aims to meet the rising demand for teaching internships and address the challenging job market for UK graduates.
In conclusion, teaching internships are gaining traction as a recruitment solution, offering students a taste of teaching and potentially inspiring them to pursue the profession. However, the scheme's success hinges on adequate funding, clear structure, and effective integration into the broader recruitment process.
