Graduate Teaching Apprentice Review
at Maritime Academy Trust
Level 4/5 Apprenticeship
Teaching
Strood, Kent
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
3.9 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
3.8/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
As a PGTA student, I work in a school teaching for four days a week, and one day a week I am at University of East London for my ITT (initial teacher training). During my time at school, I begin to teach the children with a weekly growing teaching percentage as the apprenticeship goes on. I also observe other expert colleagues in the school, have a mentor meeting once a week to discuss my progress, and I am observed myself, once a week formally, with feedback given from my mentor.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I think that during my PGTA training, I was placed in a cohort that I found quite challenging to adjust to. Over time, though, I became more used to it. I had to be more proactive in asking questions, more open to different ways of teaching, and more patient with the process. While it wasn’t the easiest experience, it did help me become more adaptable and better at working with a range of students. Looking back, even though it was a difficult cohort, it pushed me to develop skills that I probably wouldn’t have gained in a more straightforward situation. I think that the programme itself is a very useful opportunity for teacher training as it feels more consistent and allows you to really engage with the children and the school itself. However the commute from Medway to University of East London is very long and also expensive. The wage we are provided is not enough to live and be able to make it on time for a 9am start without spending money on expensive travel and unfortunately has made me feel like this is unnecessary stress whilst trying to focus on teaching my class every week.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes, both the in school training and the ITT university provider have extensive experience in assisting trainee teachers become confident teachers. The mentors I have been given are highly skilled teachers with a varied amount of guidance and tips in order to be a successful teacher. Also the opportunity to go and observe other colleagues each week has made a positive impact on my social skills as well as learning teacher approaches, as it has given me the opportunity to meet new people.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The employer has been very organised with consistency throughout the programme and the overall structure of the programme I feel is paced well and is accessible. The university seem to be slightly less organised, with information about the university days only being released sometimes the day before we go which effects our commute and travel expenses.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
The employer has been very supportive across the programme, there has been a few changes in regard to the school I have been completing my training at and moving schools however the trust have been proactive and have helped make this possible. Both schools have been very supportive in my decision to move.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The university have been supportive in regard to signposting good readings, and useful websites etc however I feel the real life issues we deal with in schools now, seem to be brushed over at university and I feel I have gained more knowledge from the employer and school itself with issues like behaviour, than the university.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I will gain my QTS and will be able to teach from next year so this is a useful course and qualification offered.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Yes we have done professional training as a trust which enabled us to meet new people and begin networking around the trust which has been useful.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Maritime Academy Trust to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Maritime Academy Trust have some great schools within their trust and the organisation and structure they have set up are very useful for a newly trained teacher to be able to fit in.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Maritime Academy Trust?
Ensure that if you’re applying to Maritime Academy Trust, I’d suggest being really clear on why you want to work in that setting and showing that you’re open to learning. The training can be quite fast-paced, so it helps to be proactive—don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek support early on. It’s also important to be adaptable. You might find yourself working with a wide range of people and in different environments, so being flexible and willing to adjust your approach will make a big difference.
