Since its introduction in 2017, the Apprenticeship Levy has created an incredible opportunity for schools to invest in staff development. Yet, millions of pounds of available funding are still going unclaimed each year. For school leaders, understanding how to unlock this funding could be the key to recruiting, retaining, and upskilling staff at no extra cost to school budgets.

What Is the Apprenticeship Levy?

The levy applies to employers with an annual pay bill over £3 million. They pay 0.5% of their pay bill, less a £15,000 yearly allowance (HMRC), and can spend the funds in their apprenticeship service account on apprenticeship training. In community and voluntary-controlled schools the local authority is the employer, so it pays the levy and schools reach the funds through their council. In voluntary-aided and foundation schools the governing body is the employer, and in academies it is usually the trust; each pays the levy if its own pay bill is over £3 million. Unused funds expire: funds entering an account from August 2026 expire after 12 months, and earlier funds after 24 months (DfE, apprenticeship funding).

Shockingly, while schools in England contribute around £180 million each year, only about 22% of that is spent. The rest is lost.

Why Apprenticeships Matter for Schools

Apprenticeships are no longer just for young people entering trades. Today, there are over 1,700 apprenticeships available — from teaching and leadership to finance, IT, and estates management. This breadth makes apprenticeships highly relevant to schools.

Some of the biggest benefits include:

  • Developing staff skills: From teaching assistants to middle leaders, apprenticeships provide structured pathways to enhance expertise.
  • Supporting progression: Staff can move through a clear ladder of qualifications, helping schools retain talented people.
  • Recruiting new talent: Teacher apprenticeships, for example, allow schools to attract aspiring teachers who gain QTS without the burden of additional student debt.
  • Improving outcomes: More skilled staff — particularly in SEND, inclusion, and leadership — directly strengthen the support schools can offer pupils.

Examples of Apprenticeships for Schools

  • Teacher Apprenticeships (postgraduate or undergraduate routes leading to QTS)
  • Teaching Assistant Apprenticeships, including new specialist TA programmes
  • Leadership & Management pathways, from team leader to improvement leader (often linked to master’s or even MBA qualifications)
  • School Business Professional Apprenticeships for finance and operations staff
  • Youth Work Degree Apprenticeships to strengthen pastoral support and wellbeing provision

What’s Changing?

The current government is expanding apprenticeship opportunities further, with:

  • Foundation apprenticeships (shorter programmes under 12 months) in areas like early years, social care, and digital skills.
  • Greater flexibility, including modular courses and localised funding strategies.
  • New apprenticeships in data and AI, helping schools prepare staff for the future.

Building an Apprenticeship Strategy

To make the most of the levy, school leaders should:

  1. Audit current and future skill needs across teaching, leadership, and support staff.
  2. Map roles to available apprenticeships.
  3. Engage with trusted apprenticeship providers who can give impartial advice and tailor programmes to school contexts.
  4. Promote apprenticeships in recruitment adverts to make roles more attractive.
  5. Encourage staff to see apprenticeships as part of their professional growth, not an “add-on.”

Final Thoughts

Apprenticeships give schools the chance to invest in staff development without additional cost — funding has already been allocated, and using it wisely could transform your workforce. Whether it’s training the next generation of teachers, supporting inclusion through specialist TAs, or equipping leaders with advanced management skills, the apprenticeship levy is a tool that every school leader should be making the most of.

Watch our Webinar with The National College of Education - https://headteacher-chat.link/apprentice-lv