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For training starting in September 2027

Take your
next step.

Explore your route, check the details and apply through the Department for Education’s teacher training service.

Dates to know

29 September 2026

Find courses

DfE course search opens at 9am. Explore the current listings and begin preparing.

6 October 2026

Submit applications

Applications open at 9am for the 2026 to 2027 recruitment cycle.

  1. 01

    Choose your course

    Explore Primary or Secondary training. Check the current DfE listing, including the entry year, requirements and course code.

  2. 02

    Prepare your information

    Read the application guidance and gather the information requested about your qualifications, experience and references.

  3. 03

    Apply through DfE

    Use the official Apply service when applications open. Check your chosen course before submitting.

  4. 04

    Keep in touch

    Follow the application updates and any interview guidance you receive. Contact HFC if you need to clarify your next step.

Preparing for selection

HFC’s selection process explores your interest in teaching, your subject or phase knowledge and your potential to develop. Follow the current preparation guidance sent by the programme team.

Where an offer is made, read its conditions carefully and keep in touch about the checks and actions you need to complete.

Official recruitment dates ↗

Apply for your initial teacher training programme with HFC Teacher Training now.

  1. Browse the courses we have available and check the entry requirements.  You can also search for available courses by visiting DfE find.
  2. Once you have decided upon a post-graduate ITT course, Apply on the government website. You can find our unique course codes on our primary and secondary course pages.
  3. Track the progress of your application, see your interview date and check the outcome. Once we have received your application, we will aim to respond to you within two days.

The Get into Teaching website provides some useful tips on completing your application, including writing your teacher training personal statement, choosing your references and preparing for interviews.

 

 

When choosing your references, please ensure that:
  • One of your references is from your current or most recent employer.
  • If you are a recent graduate, one of your references is from your university.
  • If you are working or volunteering in a school, please provide a school reference.
  • All references must be provided on DfE Apply system via work/professional email addresses. Personal email accounts will not be accepted.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept open references, testimonials or references from friends or relatives without a professional email or work address.

The selection process:

The selection event is designed to explore your potential: we are not looking for the finished article! You will be welcomed by professionals brought together from across the HFC Teacher Training partnership, all of whom have been in the position of a prospective trainee.

At this stage, we are assessing:
  • Your interest in, and commitment to, a future career in teaching.
  • Your knowledge of the area of education that you are interested in.Your ability to work effectively with children in an educational setting.

Please read through the guidance notes that we send out to you before your interview takes place and be prepared for the session. If invited for an interview, you will be expected to provide evidence of your qualifications, information about past experiences and education.

 
 
You will prepare and present an engaging lesson activity to an interview panel. The teaching task will be based on a brief you have been given prior to interview, linked to your phase/subject, and should last approximately 10-15 minutes.
There will be a formal interview with a panel of senior leaders from HFC Teacher Training and our partner schools. This is an opportunity for you to share with us why you want to be a teacher of your subject or phase. You will be asked subject or phase specific questions centred on the relevant National Curricula and Programmes of Study. Be sure to research these prior to your interview!
Teachers are expected to be role models for literacy, so this 15-minute written task will give you an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to write accurately, with correct grammar and spelling. The written task will also help us gauge how well you can articulate your thoughts, structure ideas and use clear, professional language.
At this stage we are assessing:
  • Your ability to communicate clearly, both orally and on paper.
  • Your knowledge of the area of education that you are interested in.
  • Your interest in, and commitment to, a future career in teaching.
  • Your ability to work effectively with children in an educational setting.

Please read through the guidance notes that we send out to you before your interview takes place and be prepared for the session. If invited for an interview, you will be expected to provide evidence of your qualifications, information about past experiences and education.

What happens after interview?

Following the selection event, we will notify you of the outcome and provide an opportunity for verbal feedback. If you are successful, a conditional offer will be placed on the DfE Apply system with clear conditions for the next steps of the application process . Once the offer has been accepted, our local Lead Delivery Partner will be in touch and you will be asked to complete pre-programme checks including a DBS and health check. When we begin the process of matching you to your placement schools, we will endeavour to consider any caring responsibilities or travel requirements you may have.

Apply Now