FAQs

The Aspire Programme provides finds long-term placements for individuals seeking a place in Initial Teacher Training. The experience a candidate gains from a placement can be instrumental in preparing them for their teacher training journey, while offering their employer school additional support and cover.

Browse our most frequently asked questions below to learn more about the programme’s benefits for both candidates and schools.

Candidate FAQs

Does Aspire lead to a qualification?

Not directly. The Aspire Programme will provide you with the experience, knowledge and insight required to find a place on an Initial Teaching Training course. Additionally, at the end of your time on an Aspire placement we will provide you with a Letter of Completion which records the experience have gained.

How long does the programme last?

Aspire Programme placements typically last between 1 and 3 terms. We believe to get full value from the programme requires 12 weeks in school. However, we will find you placements and Aspire Programme resources until you are ready to make the move into ITT.

Do I get to choose where I work?

We work with the full range of schools across the country, so we are confident that we will be able to find you a placement in a local school you are comfortable working in. Before starting a placement, you will have the opportunity to undertake a trial day in the school to ensure you are as happy with the school as they are with you.

What sort of work I will do in schools?

Typically, during a placement you will have the opportunity to support classroom teachers, work with small groups of students, deliver one-to-one support, providing PPA cover, and delivering lessons.

How does the pay work?

During your placement you will be working on timesheets and be paid weekly for the number of days worked that week.

Does this qualify me for an e-Qualitas course?

Aspire does not guarantee you a spot in the e-Qualitas programme. However, it allows you to have access in understanding what it takes to be in the e-Qualtias programme. Aspire shapes your readiness for teacher training

Will this help me find an ITT course?

Yes. The Aspire Programme is designed to help you build knowledge of teaching and experience of working in a school and provide you with opportunities to reflect on and share your experiences with your peers. This will benefit you in all future applications for ITT positions.

What sort of schools do you work with?

The Aspire Programme works with primary, secondary and special needs schools. We will endeavour to place you in a local school wherever possible, but sometimes the right school for you might be further away from home.

I am already working in a school can I access the Aspire Programme?

The Aspire Programme is aimed at those looking to gain experience within schools. If you are currently employed in a school and are looking to begin initial teacher training, we recommend contacting e-Qualitas.

School FAQs

How do you select candidates for Aspire?

All candidates for the Aspire Programme have applied for or shown an interest in starting and ITT placement through e-Qualitas or are registered with one of our supply partners Supply Desk or Just Teachers. We promote the Aspire Programme to promising candidates who meet our standards for ITT but lack the practical skills and experience to undertake ITT immediately.

What safeguarding and referencing checks do you carry out?

Before an candidate from the Aspire Programme starts a placement, they are subject to the full range of checks as set out in DfE Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education guidance, Children’s Workforce Development Council Safer Recruitment and other relevant legislation, guidance and best practice.

This includes:

Specifically, we undertake the following checks:

Identity
Barred List
Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas police check where applicable)
Prohibition from teaching orders (NCTL)
Childcare Disqualification Declaration (including Disqualification by Association)
Right to work in the UK
References and employment history
Qualifications

What input does the school need to have on the training of the Aspire candidate?

The only requirement for the school is to ensure that the Aspire candidate is given the opportunity to take part in a range of activities within the school. These include providing cover, supporting the classroom teacher, working with small groups or one-to-one, taking part in planning and extracurricular activities within the school.

Is there any need for Aspire educators to be released for training?

No, all Aspire Programme events and resources are provided out of core school hours or online.

What is the cost?

Aspire educators are supplied to the school on a day rate through our supply partners Supply Desk, Teach London or Justteachers. Beyond this day rate there is no cost for the school for the training and support the candidate receives via e-Qualitas.

Can I use Aspire candidates to cover classes?

Yes, one of the biggest advantages of taking on an Aspiring teacher is the ability to cover effectively cover staff absence with someone who has first hand knowledge of the school.

Is there a temp to perm option?

If a placement is so successful you wish to take the candidate on to a permanent contract, then a temp-to-perm option would be provided by our supply partners in line with their terms of business.

Can we place successful Aspire candidates on our SCITT programme?

Yes. If you work with a SCITT programme the Aspire Programme is an excellent way of sourcing trainees for upcoming courses and getting a first-hand idea of their suitability for teacher training and a career in education. The Aspire Programme is the perfect way to build your future workforce.

Are we able to change Aspire candidate if they are unsuitable?

Yes. We will try to find the most suitable match possible for you but understand that sometimes things don’t work out. If you choose to move on from a candidate we can find you a more suitable candidate.

FAQs

Browse our most frequently asked questions below to learn more about the programme’s benefits for both candidates and schools.

Candidate FAQs

Does Aspire lead to a qualification?​

How long does the programme last?​​

Aspire Programme placements typically last between 1 and 3 terms. We believe to get full value from the programme requires 12 weeks in school. However, we will find you placements and Aspire Programme resources until you are ready to make the move into ITT.

Do I get to choose where I work?​​

What sort of work I will do in schools?​

Typically, during a placement you will have the opportunity to support classroom teachers, work with small groups of students, deliver one-to-one support, providing PPA cover, and delivering lessons.

How does the pay work?​

During your placement you will be working on timesheets and be paid weekly for the number of days worked that week.

Does this qualify me for an e-Qualitas course?​

Aspire does not guarantee you a spot in the e-Qualitas programme. However, it allows you to have access in understanding what it takes to be in the e-Qualtias programme. Aspire shapes your readiness for teacher training

Will this help me find an ITT course?​​

Yes. The Aspire Programme is designed to help you build knowledge of teaching and experience of working in a school and provide you with opportunities to reflect on and share your experiences with your peers. This will benefit you in all future applications for ITT positions.

What sort of schools do you work with?​​

The Aspire Programme works with primary, secondary and special needs schools. We will endeavour to place you in a local school wherever possible, but sometimes the right school for you might be further away from home.

I am already working in a school can I access the Aspire Programme?​​​

The Aspire Programme is aimed at those looking to gain experience within schools. If you are currently employed in a school and are looking to begin initial teacher training, we recommend contacting e-Qualitas.

School FAQs

How do you select candidates for Aspire?​​

What safeguarding and referencing checks do you carry out?​​

This includes:

Specifically, we undertake the following checks:

Identity

Barred List

Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas police check where applicable)

Prohibition from teaching orders (NCTL)

Childcare Disqualification Declaration (including Disqualification by Association)

Right to work in the UK

References and employment history

Qualifications

What input does the school need to have on the training of the Aspire candidate?​​

Is there any need for Aspire educators to be released for training?​

No, all Aspire Programme events and resources are provided out of core school hours or online.

What is the cost?​

Aspire educators are supplied to the school on a day rate through our supply partners Supply Desk, Teach London or Justteachers. Beyond this day rate there is no cost for the school for the training and support the candidate receives via e-Qualitas.

Can I use Aspire candidates to cover classes?​

Yes, one of the biggest advantages of taking on an Aspiring teacher is the ability to cover effectively cover staff absence with someone who has first hand knowledge of the school.

Is there a temp to perm option?​​

If a placement is so successful you wish to take the candidate on to a permanent contract, then a temp-to-perm option would be provided by our supply partners in line with their terms of business.

Can we place successful Aspire candidates on our SCITT programme?​​

Yes. If you work with a SCITT programme the Aspire Programme is an excellent way of sourcing trainees for upcoming courses and getting a first-hand idea of their suitability for teacher training and a career in education. The Aspire Programme is the perfect way to build your future workforce.

Are we able to change Aspire candidate if they are unsuitable?​

Yes. We will try to find the most suitable match possible for you but understand that sometimes things don’t work out. If you choose to move on from a candidate we can find you a more suitable candidate.

Does Aspire lead to a qualification?

How long does the programme last?

Do I get to choose where I work?

What sort of work I will do in schools?

How does the pay work?

Does this qualify me for an e-Qualitas course?

Will this help me find an ITT course?

What sort of schools do you work with?

I am already working in a school can I access the Aspire Programme?

How do you select candidates for Aspire?

What safeguarding and referencing checks do you carry out?

What input does the school need to have on the training of the Aspire candidate?

Is there any need for Aspire educators to be released for training?

What is the cost?

Can I use Aspire candidates to cover classes?

Is there a temp to perm option?

Can we place successful Aspire candidates on our SCITT programme?

Are we able to change Aspire candidate if they are unsuitable?