For teachers

Apprenticeship lessons that are ready to run

16 free activities for Years 11 to 13, from a 10-minute tutor time quiz to a full assessment centre. Each one has timed steps, a teacher sheet with answers and, where it helps, a student worksheet. Every fact is checked against employers' own pages and GOV.UK.

  • No accounts, sign-ups or adverts, and it works on phones.
  • Independent: no employer pays to be listed, and every fact links to its official source.
  • Nothing students enter is sent anywhere. The quiz and Grade Matcher run in the browser.
What students see on the board

16 activities, by what students need

Understand

What apprenticeships are, the levels, and the choices at 16. Best in Year 11.

  1. True or false?

    Years 11 to 13 (S4 to S6) 10 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 2

    Students vote true or false on statements about apprenticeships, then you reveal each answer with a one-line explanation. Round 1 is for Year 11; round 2 is harder and covers money, degrees and applying, for Years 12 and 13.

    1. Pick the round: round 1 for Year 11, round 2 for Years 12 and 13. Press Present and show the first statement.
    2. Students vote with a show of hands, mini whiteboards or their phones. Keep a tally of how many got each one right.
    3. Reveal the answer, read the explanation, and ask who changed their mind and why.
    4. 2 min End on the discussion question that got the biggest reaction.

    Prep: None

    What is an apprenticeship?

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • Each round has ten statements and takes about ten minutes. Run round 1 in Year 11 and round 2 a year later, or both with Year 12 as a refresher.
    • Go fast on the ones the class gets right and slow down on the ones they get wrong: those are their real misconceptions.
    • Every answer links to a page on the site that backs it up, if a student challenges it.
    • Copy the link for tutors and they can run it in tutor time with no preparation.
    Discussion questions
    • Which answer surprised you most?
    • Where did you hear the false ones?
    Questions students ask
    Where do these answers come from?
    Each one comes from a page on the site, and every page links to the official source it uses.

    Students leave with: A clearer picture of what an apprenticeship really is.

  2. Levels decoded

    Year 11 (S4), or Year 12 (S5) as a recap 15 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 7

    A card sort. Pairs match the four apprenticeship levels to what they're equivalent to, then place twelve real programmes at the right level. It makes "Level 3" and "degree apprenticeship" mean something.

    1. 4 min Hand each pair a set of cards. First, match each level card to its equivalent card.
    2. 2 min Check the four pairs together using the answer key.
    3. 6 min Now place the twelve programme cards under the right level.
    4. 3 min Go through the answers. Ask which programme surprised them, and which level they could start at next year.

    Prep: Print and cut up the card sheet, one set per pair.

    Apprenticeship levels explained

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • Levels: Level 2 (intermediate) is equivalent to GCSEs, Level 3 (advanced) to A levels, Levels 4 and 5 (higher) to a foundation degree, HNC or HND, and Levels 6 and 7 (degree) to a bachelor's or master's degree. This follows GOV.UK.
    • Scotland uses SCQF levels instead. If you teach in Scotland, use our Scotland guide alongside this.
    • A common mix-up: "higher apprenticeship" is Levels 4 and 5, and has nothing to do with Scottish Highers.
    • To stretch it, ask which programmes a student could start straight after Year 11.
    Answer key
    Level 2 (intermediate)
    GCSEs. Aldi's Career Starter store apprenticeship.
    Level 3 (advanced)
    A levels. JLR's Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, London Fire Brigade's Operational Firefighter apprenticeship, Admiral's Data Analytics apprenticeship, Specsavers' optical assistant apprenticeship.
    Levels 4 and 5 (higher)
    Foundation degree, HNC or HND. Network Rail's Level 4 Project Management apprenticeship, TfL's Level 4 Finance apprenticeship, a BBC Level 5 apprenticeship.
    Levels 6 and 7 (degree)
    Bachelor's or master's degree. KPMG's Technology Apprenticeship (a BSc), British Airways' Data Science apprenticeship (Level 6), Co-op's six-year solicitor apprenticeship (Level 7), JLR's Level 7 Finance Apprenticeship.
    On the student sheet

    Level cards

    • Level 2: Intermediate
    • Level 3: Advanced
    • Levels 4 and 5: Higher
    • Levels 6 and 7: Degree
    • Equivalent to GCSEs
    • Equivalent to A levels
    • Equivalent to a foundation degree, HNC or HND
    • Equivalent to a bachelor's or master's degree

    Programme cards

    • Aldi: Career Starter store apprenticeship
    • JLR: Advanced Apprenticeship in engineering
    • London Fire Brigade: Operational Firefighter apprenticeship
    • Admiral: Data Analytics apprenticeship
    • Specsavers: Optical assistant apprenticeship
    • Network Rail: Project Management apprenticeship
    • TfL: Finance apprenticeship
    • BBC: Junior Journalist apprenticeship
    • KPMG: Technology Apprenticeship with a BSc
    • British Airways: Data Science apprenticeship
    • Co-op: Solicitor apprenticeship
    • JLR: Finance Apprenticeship with CIMA
    Discussion questions
    • Which programme surprised you by its level?
    • Which level could you start at after your GCSEs, and which after A levels?
    Questions students ask
    Is a Level 3 apprenticeship worth the same as A levels?
    It's at the same level, and many employers and universities treat it that way. A completed Level 3 apprenticeship can lead to a higher or degree apprenticeship.
    Do you have to start at Level 2?
    No. You start at the level that matches your qualifications and the job. Many people start at Level 3 straight after GCSEs.

    Students leave with: What each apprenticeship level means, and which one they could start at.

  3. Choices at 16

    Year 11 (S4) 30 minutes Gatsby Benchmarks 3 and 7

    Students compare the three routes after Year 11 (staying in education, a T Level, or an apprenticeship) using real figures, then recommend a route for three made-up students.

    1. 4 min Explain the rule: in England you must stay in education or training until 18, but that can be full-time education, an apprenticeship, or working or volunteering for 20 hours or more a week alongside part-time study.
    2. 10 min In pairs, fill in the comparison table using the facts on the sheet.
    3. 10 min Read the three student profiles. For each, pick a route and give two reasons.
    4. 6 min Take one recommendation for each student from the class, and challenge it.

    Prep: Print the student sheet, one per student.

    Apprenticeships at 16

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • The rule about staying in education or training until 18 is for England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own school leaving rules.
    • There's no single right answer for each student. Push for reasons that use the facts: pay, qualifications, time in a workplace, and what each student wants.
    • Students can apply for apprenticeships in Year 11. Employers like JLR take applications before you turn 16, as long as you're 16 by the start.
    • Follow up with Spot the requirement, so students see what real programmes ask for.
    Answer key
    Comparison table
    Sixth form or college (A levels): about 2 years, no pay, leads to A levels. T Level: 2 years, unpaid, about the size of 3 A levels, with an industry placement of at least 315 hours. Apprenticeship: from 8 months to 6 years, paid at least £8.00 an hour at 16, leads to a qualification at the level of the apprenticeship.
    Kai
    An apprenticeship fits: he wants to earn and work with his hands, and has the GCSEs that programmes like JLR's Level 3 ask for. Accept sixth form if the reason is keeping engineering degree options open.
    Amira
    Sixth form or college fits: she wants to keep her options open and hasn't picked a career. A T Level is a good answer if she has an industry in mind.
    Leon
    A T Level or an apprenticeship both work. A T Level gives him time in a workplace without committing to one employer; an apprenticeship pays him.
    On the student sheet

    Facts you need

    • The rule: In England, you must stay in education or training until you're 18: full-time education, an apprenticeship, or working or volunteering 20 hours or more a week while in part-time education or training (GOV.UK).
    • A levels: Usually three subjects over two years at a sixth form or college. You aren't paid.
    • T Levels: A two-year course about the size of three A levels, with an industry placement of at least 315 hours (about 45 days). You aren't paid for the course.
    • Apprenticeships: A paid job with training, taking from 8 months to 6 years (GOV.UK). At 16 the minimum pay is £8.00 an hour, and employers like JLR, TfL and SSE take people from 16.

    The students

    • Kai: Predicted grade 5 in maths and English and 4s in three other subjects, including science. Loves fixing things, wants to earn money soon and doesn't want to sit in a classroom all day.
    • Amira: Predicted 7s and 8s. Enjoys history and biology but has no idea what job she wants. Her older sister went to university.
    • Leon: Predicted 4s and 5s. Interested in digital and IT, wants to try a real workplace before committing to a job, and isn't sure he's ready for full-time work.
    Discussion questions
    • Which route would you pick right now, and what would change your mind?
    • Can you apply for an apprenticeship and a sixth form place at the same time?
    Questions students ask
    Can I do an apprenticeship and then go to university?
    Yes. A Level 3 apprenticeship counts as a Level 3 qualification, and you can also move on to a higher or degree apprenticeship.
    Is a T Level paid?
    No. T Level students aren't paid for their course, though they do an industry placement of at least 315 hours (about 45 days). Apprentices are paid from day one.
    Can I apply for sixth form and apprenticeships at the same time?
    Yes. Apprenticeships are jobs you apply to separately, so you can keep a sixth form or college place as a back-up.

    Students leave with: The three routes after Year 11, with real figures, and a first view of which suits them.

Explore

Real employers, real entry requirements, and what students' own grades open up.

  1. Find your industry

    Year 11 (S4) or Year 12 (S5) 20 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 2

    Students take a 20-question quiz, get their best-fit industry and find one real employer and programme in it.

    1. 8 min Open Find an industry for me and answer all 20 questions.
    2. 4 min Look at your best-fit industry and your second one. Open one employer it recommends.
    3. 4 min In pairs: did your result surprise you? Why, or why not?
    4. 4 min Write down one programme from that employer, its level and what it asks for.

    Prep: None. Students need a phone or computer.

    Open the quiz

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • Most students need about 8 minutes for the 20 questions. Anyone who finishes early can open their second industry.
    • The quiz asks where students live and whether they'd move, and only shows employers with apprentices in their nation unless they say they would.
    • Students who say they're still at school won't be shown employers that only take people aged 18 or over.
    • Results have a share button, so students can send theirs to you or to their parents.
    • Follow up after the next mocks with What do my grades open up?
    Discussion questions
    • Would you have looked at this industry without the quiz?
    • Does the employer you picked take people at 16, or only at 18?
    • What does the programme ask for, and could you get it?
    Questions students ask
    What if I don't like my result?
    It's a starting point, not a verdict. Look at your second industry and the chart, which shows how well every industry matched.
    Can I take it again?
    Yes, as often as you like. The answers come in a different order each time.

    Students leave with: An industry to explore and one real employer that fits it.

  2. Spot the requirement

    Years 11 to 13 (S4 to S6) 25 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 2

    Six made-up students, six real programmes. Students read each employer's published entry requirements and decide whether each student meets them, is close, or isn't there yet, including the catches beyond grades.

    1. 4 min Read one requirement together and agree what it means, for example Network Rail's: grade 5 in maths, and grade 4 in English language, a science and one other subject.
    2. 12 min In pairs, work through the six students. Each one is checked against the programmes listed next to their name.
    3. 6 min Go through the answers. Spend longest on Jordan and Zara, who meet the grades but not the age rule.
    4. 3 min Ask: what could each "not yet" student do about it?

    Prep: Print the student sheet, one per student or pair.

    Match my grades

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • Every requirement is copied word for word from the employer's own pages, as shown on the site on 22 October 2026.
    • The point isn't the arithmetic. It's reading requirements carefully: the subject, the grade, "or equivalent", age rules and UCAS points from the top three grades.
    • UCAS points used: A* 56, A 48, B 40, C 32, D 24. A BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM is 112.
    • Follow up with What do my grades open up?, so students check their own grades the same way.
    Answer key
    Jordan: TfL IT Solutions Technician
    Meets: two GCSEs at grade 4 or above including maths (5) and English language (4).
    Jordan: Network Rail engineering
    Meets the grades (maths 5; English 4, science 5 and history 4 at grade 4+), but not yet: you must be 18 by the start.
    Priya: British Airways Data Science
    Meets: A, B, B is 128 UCAS points with a B in maths (an A), and GCSE English and maths at 4+.
    Priya: KPMG Audit and Technology
    Meets: 128 points beats 120, and GCSE English and maths are both at grade 5 or above.
    Sam: Deloitte BrightStart
    Not yet: C, C, D is 88 points, 16 short of 104.
    Sam: TfL IT Solutions Technician
    Meets: GCSE maths 4 and English 5.
    Ellie: Deloitte BrightStart
    Meets: a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM is 112 points, over 104, and Deloitte accepts equivalent qualifications.
    Ellie: KPMG Audit and Technology
    Close: 112 points is 8 short of 120. KPMG says to apply and explain your circumstances if you're a few points short.
    Alfie: TfL IT Solutions Technician
    Not yet: maths is predicted 3 and TfL asks for grade 4. A resit, or a programme that supports maths, are the next steps.
    Zara: Mercedes F1 Level 3
    Meets: five GCSEs at grade 5 or above including maths, science and English.
    Zara: Network Rail engineering
    Meets the grades but not yet the age rule: she'll be 16, and Network Rail needs 18 by the start.
    On the student sheet

    The programmes (as each employer publishes them)

    • TfL: IT Solutions Technician (Level 3): At least two GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including maths and English language.
    • Network Rail: Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician: GCSE maths at grade 9–5, plus English language, a science or engineering subject and one other subject at grade 9–4. You must be 18 or older by the start.
    • Mercedes F1: Level 3 apprenticeships: At least 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade 5 or above, including maths, science and English.
    • KPMG: Audit and Technology apprenticeships: Five GCSEs at grades 9–4, including English language and maths at grade 5, plus 120 UCAS points from your top three grades.
    • British Airways: Data Science (Level 6): GCSE English and maths at grade 4 or above, plus three A levels (at least 128 UCAS points) with at least a B in maths.
    • Deloitte: BrightStart: Finished your A level exams, and usually on track for or holding 104 UCAS points from your top three A levels (or equivalent).

    The students (UCAS points: A 48, B 40, C 32, D 24)

    • Jordan, Year 11, aged 16: Predicted GCSEs: maths 5, English language 4, combined science 5, history 4, art 6. Check: TfL, Network Rail.
    • Priya, Year 13: Predicted A levels: maths A, physics B, chemistry B. GCSEs: maths 7, English language 6, and six more at grade 5 or above. Check: British Airways, KPMG.
    • Sam, Year 13: Predicted A levels: C, C, D. GCSEs: maths 4, English language 5. Check: Deloitte, TfL.
    • Ellie, Year 12: Predicted BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM (112 UCAS points). GCSEs: maths 5, English language 5, and four more at grade 4 or above. Check: Deloitte, KPMG.
    • Alfie, Year 11: Predicted GCSEs: maths 3, English language 5, and five more at grade 4 or above. Check: TfL.
    • Zara, Year 11, aged 16 in July: Predicted GCSEs: maths 6, English 6, combined science 6, and three more at grade 5 or 6. Check: Mercedes F1, Network Rail.
    Discussion questions
    • Which requirement was hardest to read?
    • What can a student do if they're one grade short?
    Questions students ask
    What does "or equivalent" mean?
    Another qualification at the same level, like a BTEC instead of A levels or Functional Skills instead of a GCSE. Check with the employer which ones it accepts.
    If I'm a few points short, should I still apply?
    Sometimes. KPMG says people a few grades or points short should still apply and explain their circumstances. Others are strict, so read the advert.

    Students leave with: How to read real entry requirements, including the catches beyond grades.

  3. What do my grades open up?

    Year 11 after mocks, or Years 12 and 13 (S4 to S6) 20 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 2

    Students enter their grades, see which real programmes they meet and set one grade target. Run it again after every set of mocks.

    1. 6 min Open the Grade Matcher and enter your mock or predicted grades.
    2. 5 min Read your results: which programmes you meet now, and which are close.
    3. 5 min Find your grade targets: the single change that would meet the most extra programmes. Write one down.
    4. 4 min Swap with a partner. Is your target realistic by your next mocks?

    Prep: None. Students need a phone or computer and their mock or predicted grades.

    Open the Grade Matcher

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • Students need their latest mock or predicted grades. Have them ready from your tracking system for anyone who doesn't know them.
    • It covers GCSEs, National 5s, A levels, Highers, BTECs, T Levels and the Welsh Bacc, so most students can enter what they're taking.
    • The worksheet is the record to bring back after the next mocks, so collect it in or ask students to keep it in their planner.
    • If a student meets nothing yet, point them to Level 2 and foundation apprenticeships (see Questions students ask).
    • Follow up with Compare two employers, using a programme each student is close to meeting.
    Discussion questions
    • Which subject would make the biggest difference to your options?
    • Which programme surprised you by what it asks for?
    Questions students ask
    It says I don't meet anything yet.
    Many Level 2 apprenticeships don't ask for grades, and in England foundation apprenticeships need none. A lower-level apprenticeship can lead to a higher one later.
    Are these the only programmes?
    No. The Grade Matcher checks programmes whose employers publish their minimum grades. Other employers set their own.

    Students leave with: A specific grade target linked to real programmes.

  4. Compare two employers

    Years 11 to 13 (S4 to S6) 30 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 2

    Pairs compare two real employers on level, pay, entry requirements, minimum age and location, and find out what could rule them out.

    1. 5 min Read the checklist in the guide to researching an employer together.
    2. 3 min In pairs, pick two employers from Employer Search, ideally in different industries.
    3. 14 min Fill in the comparison table from each employer's profile, including what could rule you out.
    4. 3 min Write a one-sentence verdict: which you'd apply to and why.
    5. 5 min Each pair tells the class one thing that surprised them.

    Prep: None. Students need a phone or computer.

    Open the guide

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • Ask pairs to pick employers in different industries, so the comparison shows how much programmes vary.
    • Where an employer doesn't publish something, like pay, the profile says so. That counts as an answer.
    • Push pairs to check who can apply. Age, where you've lived and security checks rule some people out whatever their grades.
    • To stretch it, ask which of the two has a programme the pair could start at 16.
    Discussion questions
    • Which one would you apply to, and why?
    • What could rule you out, whatever your grades?
    Questions students ask
    Where does this information come from?
    Each profile links to the employer's own pages and says when they were last checked.
    Why doesn't a profile show pay?
    Some employers don't publish it. The profile says so rather than guessing.

    Students leave with: How to find and check official information about an employer.

  5. Subject spotlight

    Any subject lesson, Years 11 to 13 (S4 to S6) 5 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 4

    For subject teachers: show which real apprenticeships ask for your subject, and which ask for more than a grade 4. The list updates when employers change their requirements.

    48 of the 64 apprenticeship programmes in our Grade Matcher name maths in their entry requirements.

    These ask for more than a grade 4

    • Barclays, Level 3 and 4 apprenticeships: GCSE grade 5
    • British Airways, Heathrow Aircraft Maintenance: GCSE grade 5
    • British Airways, Licensed Aircraft Engineer: A level maths
    • British Airways, Data Science (Level 6): A level maths at grade B
    • Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Level 7 Finance Apprenticeship: GCSE grade 5
    • Jet2, Aircraft Engineering Apprenticeship: GCSE grade 5
    • Kier, Civil engineering degree apprenticeship: GCSE grade 5
    • KPMG UK, Audit and Technology apprenticeships: GCSE grade 5
    • Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, Level 3 apprenticeships: GCSE grade 5
    • Network Rail, Level 3 engineering (England and Wales): GCSE grade 5

    Prep: None. Pick your subject and show the list on the board.

    Open the Grade Matcher

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • Pick your subject and show the list on the board. The list comes from employers' published entry requirements and updates when they change.
    Discussion questions
    • Which of these surprised you?
    • What grade are you aiming for in this subject?
    Questions students ask
    Is this every apprenticeship?
    No. It's the programmes in our Grade Matcher, whose employers publish their minimum grades.

    Students leave with: A reason this subject matters for real jobs.

Decide

University or apprenticeship, and what a wage is really worth. Best in Years 12 and 13.

  1. Apprenticeship or university?

    Years 12 and 13 (S5 and S6) 45 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 2

    Groups compare a real degree apprenticeship with a university degree using official 2026/27 figures: what you earn, what you borrow and what you'd repay. Then they recommend a route for a made-up student.

    1. 5 min Read the facts box together: KPMG's technology degree apprenticeship against a three-year university degree in England.
    2. 12 min In groups, work out the totals in the table: earnings, borrowing and what's repaid on a £30,000 salary.
    3. 8 min List what each route gives you that the other doesn't, beyond money.
    4. 12 min Groups pick a real degree apprenticeship on the comparison page and recommend a route for their made-up student.
    5. 8 min Each group gives its recommendation in one minute.

    Prep: Print the student sheet, one per student. Groups need a phone or computer for the last step.

    Open the guide

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • Figures are from GOV.UK for full-time students in England starting in 2026 to 2027: Tuition Fee Loan up to £9,790 a year; Maintenance Loan up to £9,118 living with parents, £10,830 away from home outside London and £14,135 in London. On Plan 5 you repay 9% of income over £25,000.
    • Maintenance Loans depend on household income, so the figures are maximums. Fees can change each year.
    • Degree apprentices don't pay tuition fees, so there's no fee loan. They pay Income Tax and National Insurance on their salary.
    • Don't let it become "apprenticeships win on money". Push groups on choice of subject, university life, how competitive places are, and committing to one employer.
    Answer key
    Earnings over the course
    KPMG technology degree apprenticeship: 4 years at £23,000 (outside London) is £92,000 before tax. University: none from the course itself.
    Borrowing
    Apprenticeship: no tuition fee loan. University, three years: up to £29,370 in tuition loans (3 × £9,790), plus up to £32,490 in maintenance loans if living away from home outside London (3 × £10,830).
    Repaying on £30,000
    9% of the £5,000 over £25,000: £450 a year, about £37.50 a month. The apprentice repays nothing, as there's no loan.
    On the student sheet

    Facts you need (2026 to 2027, England)

    • Degree apprenticeship: KPMG's Technology Apprenticeship: four years, a BSc (Hons) in Digital and Technology Solutions with BPP, paid £23,000 outside London or £25,000 in London. No tuition fees.
    • University: Tuition Fee Loan up to £9,790 a year. Maintenance Loan up to £9,118 living at home, £10,830 away from home outside London, or £14,135 in London, depending on household income.
    • Repaying: On a Plan 5 loan, you repay 9% of what you earn over £25,000 a year. Earn less, repay nothing.
    Discussion questions
    • What would make university the better choice?
    • What would make an apprenticeship the better choice?
    Questions students ask
    Do degree apprentices get the same degree?
    Many get a full bachelor's degree, like KPMG's BSc in Digital and Technology Solutions, but not every Level 6 or 7 apprenticeship includes one, so check the qualification.
    Can I apply for both?
    Yes. Apprenticeships are jobs, so you apply to employers separately from UCAS and decide once you have offers.
    Do you pay back a student loan if you earn under £25,000?
    No. On Plan 5 you repay 9% of what you earn over £25,000, so on £30,000 that's £450 a year.

    Students leave with: A decision based on fees, pay and qualifications, not assumptions.

  2. What's an apprentice wage worth?

    Years 11 to 13 (S4 to S6) 35 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 2

    Three real job offers in three cities. Students work out take-home pay after tax, then what's left after rent and bus fares, and plan a month's budget. The highest salary isn't the one that leaves the most money.

    1. 3 min Show the three offers. Ask the class to guess which leaves the most money each month.
    2. 12 min In the pay calculator, students enter each offer, pick the city and age 18 to 21, and choose "renting". Record take-home pay, rent and bus fares.
    3. 5 min Work out what's left each month. Compare with the guesses.
    4. 10 min Plan a month for the offer they'd take: food, phone, going out and saving, from what's left.
    5. 5 min Discuss: what would make living at home, or sharing, worth it?

    Prep: Print the student sheet, one per student. Students need a phone or computer for the pay calculator.

    Open the pay calculator

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • The calculator uses 2026/27 Income Tax and National Insurance, average one-bedroom rents from the ONS and official young person's bus fares. It's an estimate: payslips differ a little.
    • Renting a one-bedroom home alone is the expensive case. Most young apprentices live at home or share, which the calculator also shows.
    • For a shorter version, use one offer and two cities.
    • Students choose their own figures for food and phone; there's no right answer, but push for realistic ones.
    Answer key
    Aldi store apprenticeship in Sheffield (£360 a week for 30 hours, £18,720 a year)
    Take-home about £1,417 a month. Rent £693, bus about £78. Left: about £646.
    Network Rail engineering apprenticeship in Leeds (£22,293)
    Take-home about £1,631. Rent £783, bus about £74. Left: about £774.
    BBC apprenticeship in Manchester (£24,650)
    Take-home about £1,772. Rent £1,007, bus about £87. Left: about £678.
    On the student sheet

    The offers

    • Offer A: Aldi store apprenticeship, Sheffield: £360 a week for 30 hours, which is £18,720 a year.
    • Offer B: Network Rail engineering apprenticeship, Leeds: £22,293 a year.
    • Offer C: BBC apprenticeship, Manchester: £24,650 a year.
    Discussion questions
    • Why didn't the highest salary leave the most money?
    • What would you change: the job, the city, or living at home?
    Questions students ask
    Do apprentices pay tax?
    Yes, like any employee, on earnings over the £12,570 Personal Allowance. Most also pay National Insurance.
    Do apprentices pay into a pension?
    From 22, if you earn £10,000 or more, you're put into a workplace pension. The calculator includes it if you choose 22 or over.

    Students leave with: What a salary is really worth once tax, rent and travel are paid, and why where you live matters.

Apply

CVs, cover letters, online tests, interviews and assessment centres: the part students find hardest.

  1. A CV with no work experience

    Years 11 to 13 (S4 to S6) 40 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 3

    Students turn school, hobbies and responsibilities into evidence employers look for, then draft a one-page apprenticeship CV. They compare a weak and a strong version of the same section first.

    1. 6 min Show the weak and strong examples. Ask: what does the strong one prove that the weak one doesn't?
    2. 8 min Students list everything they've done in the last two years: subjects, projects, clubs, sport, caring, part-time work, volunteering.
    3. 10 min Turn three of them into strong bullet points: what you did, and what it shows.
    4. 12 min Draft the CV sections on the sheet.
    5. 4 min Swap with a partner and check against the checklist.

    Prep: Print the student sheet, one per student. Students can draft on paper or a computer.

    Writing a CV for an apprenticeship

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • Apprenticeship employers don't expect work experience at 16 to 18. They want evidence of reliability, teamwork, problem-solving and interest in the job.
    • One page is enough. Predicted grades are fine: employers like British Airways and JLR accept them, with the grades confirmed before you start.
    • Some employers ask for the CV and cover letter as one document, like Mercedes F1. Students should read each advert.
    • Arup asks applicants not to use AI writing tools. A CV in your own words is safer everywhere.
    On the student sheet

    Same experience, two ways

    • Weak: Member of the school football team. Good at teamwork.
    • Strong: Played in the school football team for two years and organised transport for away matches, so I learned to plan ahead and keep 15 people informed.
    • Weak: Did a Year 10 science project.
    • Strong: Built and tested a water filter for a Year 10 science project. When the first design failed, I changed the materials and measured the improvement.

    Check your CV

    • One page, with your name and contact details at the top
    • A two- or three-line profile saying what you're applying for
    • Qualifications with grades, marked "predicted" where they are
    • Each bullet says what you did and what it shows
    • Something that shows interest in this kind of job
    • No spelling mistakes; someone else has checked it
    Discussion questions
    • What have you done that you didn't think counted?
    • What would an employer want to see more of on your CV?
    Questions students ask
    Do I need a personal statement on my CV?
    A short profile of two or three lines at the top helps: who you are, what you're applying for and why.
    Should I put my predicted grades?
    Yes. Say they're predicted. Many employers accept predicted grades as long as you get them by the start.

    Students leave with: A one-page CV draft and three strong bullet points they can reuse in any application.

  2. A cover letter that gets read

    Years 12 and 13 (S5 and S6), or Year 11 students applying at 16 45 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 3

    Students write a real cover letter to a real brief: Williams F1 asks for a tailored 400-word letter on why you want a career there. They mark weak and strong paragraphs first, then draft and peer-mark their own.

    1. 3 min Read the brief: Williams asks for a CV and a tailored 400-word cover letter that shows your passion and why you want a career there.
    2. 8 min Pairs mark the two example openings and the two example middles against the checklist. Which would get read?
    3. 7 min Research: students read the Williams profile and note two specific things about the programme.
    4. 20 min Plan the letter in four paragraphs on the sheet, then write it.
    5. 7 min Swap and mark a partner's letter against the checklist, with one thing to improve.

    Prep: Print the student sheet, one per student.

    Williams F1 apprenticeships

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • The brief is real: Williams F1 asks for an up-to-date CV and a tailored 400-word cover letter, and lets you apply to two departments at most.
    • Students can swap Williams for any employer whose profile they've read. The structure works for any cover letter.
    • Employers spot generic letters. The test is: could this letter be sent to any company? If yes, it's not specific enough.
    • Mercedes F1 asks for the CV and cover letter as one PDF with a questionnaire, and says an empty questionnaire is an incomplete application. Reading the instructions is part of the test.
    Answer key
    Opening A
    Weak: generic, could go to any employer, and starts with what the student wants rather than why Williams.
    Opening B
    Strong: names the programme and department, and gives a specific reason linked to the student.
    Middle C
    Weak: lists qualities without evidence.
    Middle D
    Strong: one specific example, what the student did, and how it links to the job.
    On the student sheet

    Example openings and middles

    • Opening A: I am writing to apply for an apprenticeship at your company. I have always wanted to work in a big company and I think this would be a great opportunity for me.
    • Opening B: I'm applying for the Composites apprenticeship at Williams because I want to make the parts that decide races. Since a school visit to a carbon fibre workshop, I've wanted to learn how a material that light can be that strong.
    • Middle C: I am hard-working, reliable and a good team player. I am also good at problem-solving and I learn quickly.
    • Middle D: In my Design and Technology project, my first prototype cracked under load. I tested three changes to the layering, recorded the results and got the final design to hold twice the weight. That's the patient, measured work I want to do in composites.

    Marking checklist

    • Names the programme and the employer in the first two lines
    • Gives a reason that only fits this employer
    • Backs up each quality with a real example
    • Shows what you know about the programme
    • Within the word limit (400 words for Williams)
    • Ends with what you'd bring and that you'd welcome an interview
    Discussion questions
    • What made the strong examples stronger?
    • What did you find out about Williams that you could only use in a letter to Williams?
    Questions students ask
    Can I use AI to write it?
    Check the employer. Mercedes F1 allows AI only as a tool, not in its online tests, and Arup asks you not to use AI writing tools. Your own words are always safer.
    How long should a cover letter be?
    As long as the employer asks. Williams asks for 400 words. If there's no limit, keep it to one page.

    Students leave with: A 400-word cover letter to a real brief, and a checklist they can use for every application.

  3. Online tests and video interviews

    Years 12 and 13 (S5 and S6), or Year 11 students applying at 16 40 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 3

    What real employers use after you apply, and practice for both: situational judgement questions with the reasoning explained, and recorded one-minute video answers marked by a partner.

    1. 5 min Show the table of what real employers use. Point out that many applications are decided before any face-to-face interview.
    2. 10 min Students answer the five situational judgement questions on their own, picking the best and worst response.
    3. 7 min Go through the answers and the reasoning: employers look for responses that are honest, take responsibility and keep others informed.
    4. 13 min In pairs, record a one-minute answer to a video interview question on a phone. Partners mark it with the checklist.
    5. 5 min Each student writes one thing to fix before a real video interview.

    Prep: Print the student sheet, one per student. Pairs need one phone to record a video answer.

    Online tests and video interviews

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • From employers' own pages: British Airways uses an online assessment, then a video interview, then an assessment centre. JLR uses short online tests and links to a practice area. Mercedes F1 gives you 7 days to finish its online tests. Williams F1 gives you one attempt at its online assessment. National Highways uses a short online assessment, then a virtual assessment day.
    • The situational judgement questions here are practice examples written for this activity, not real test questions.
    • Many employers link to practice tests. Students should always use them: JLR, for example, links to its test provider's practice area.
    • Video interviews are usually recorded with no one on the other end. The commonest problem is rambling, so the one-minute limit matters.
    Answer key
    1. Missed deadline
    Best: B (tell your manager early and say how you'll fix it). Worst: D (say nothing and hope).
    2. Team member not helping
    Best: C (talk to them, find out why, share the work fairly). Worst: A (do it all and complain later).
    3. Mistake you spot
    Best: A (own up and correct it). Worst: C (leave it because no one will notice).
    4. Unclear instructions
    Best: D (ask a specific question before starting). Worst: B (guess and carry on).
    5. Customer complaint
    Best: B (listen, apologise, find someone who can help). Worst: C (argue the customer is wrong).
    On the student sheet

    What real employers use

    • British Airways: Online assessment, then a video interview, then an assessment centre at its head office.
    • JLR: Short online tests, then a virtual assessment centre with a presentation and a scenario interview.
    • Mercedes F1: Online tests (7 days to finish), then a Teams interview or an assessment centre.
    • Williams F1: One online assessment (one attempt), an online group task, then an assessment centre.

    Practice: pick the best and worst response (written for this activity)

    • 1. You're going to miss a deadline: A: Work late and say nothing. B: Tell your manager now and say how you'll fix it. C: Ask a colleague to finish it. D: Say nothing and hope no one notices.
    • 2. A team member isn't doing their share: A: Do it all yourself and complain later. B: Tell the manager straight away. C: Talk to them, find out why and share the work fairly. D: Ignore it.
    • 3. You spot a mistake you made last week: A: Own up and correct it. B: Fix it quietly. C: Leave it, no one will notice. D: Wait to see if anyone asks.
    • 4. Your instructions aren't clear: A: Do what you think is best. B: Guess and carry on. C: Wait until someone checks on you. D: Ask a specific question before you start.
    • 5. A customer complains to you: A: Pass them on without listening. B: Listen, apologise and find someone who can help. C: Tell them they're wrong. D: Promise something you can't do.

    Video answer checklist (question: "Why do you want this apprenticeship?")

    • Answered the question in the first sentence
    • Gave a specific reason, not "it's a great opportunity"
    • Used one real example
    • Under one minute
    • Looked at the camera, with clear sound and light
    Discussion questions
    • Which answer did the class disagree on most?
    • What felt harder about the video answer than talking to someone?
    Questions students ask
    Can you revise for situational judgement tests?
    Not facts, but you can practise. Read the employer's values and do any practice tests it links to.
    What if my internet drops during a test?
    Contact the employer straight away. Williams asks you to sit its test somewhere quiet with a stable connection, because you only get one attempt.

    Students leave with: What happens after they apply, practice at both kinds of test, and one thing to fix.

  4. Interview answers that work

    Years 11 to 13 (S4 to S6) 35 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 3

    Students learn the STAR method (situation, task, action, result), turn one experience into a strong answer, and practise the three kinds of question apprenticeship interviews use: motivation, competency and strengths.

    1. 6 min Read the weak and strong answer to the same question. Label the S, T, A and R in the strong one.
    2. 4 min Explain the three kinds of question. SSE and Severn Trent, for example, say they assess strengths rather than experience.
    3. 10 min Students plan one STAR answer on the sheet from their own experience.
    4. 12 min In threes: one asks, one answers, one times and gives feedback. Rotate so everyone answers.
    5. 3 min Each student writes the question they found hardest and how they'd answer it next time.

    Prep: Print the student sheet, one per student.

    Interviews and assessment centres

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • Motivation questions ask why this job and this employer. Competency questions ask for an example of something you've done. Strengths questions ask what you enjoy and do well.
    • JLR's virtual assessment centre includes a "motivational and future-focused scenario interview"; Williams F1's includes a competency interview.
    • The most common weak answer is "we": students should say what they did.
    • Answers should be one to two minutes. Shorter is fine if it covers STAR.
    Answer key
    Situation
    Our Year 12 charity bake sale, two days before it was due.
    Task
    I was in charge of making sure we had enough to sell.
    Action
    I found half our bakers had dropped out, so I made a rota, asked two form groups to help and checked in with everyone the night before.
    Result
    We sold out and raised £180, and the rota was used again the next term.
    On the student sheet

    Question: "Tell me about a time you solved a problem."

    • Weak answer: I'm really good at solving problems. We had a problem with a bake sale once and we sorted it out and it went well.
    • Strong answer: Two days before our Year 12 charity bake sale, I was in charge of making sure we had enough to sell, and half our bakers dropped out. I made a rota, asked two form groups to help and checked in with everyone the night before. We sold out and raised £180, and the school used my rota again the next term.

    Three kinds of question

    • Motivation: Why this apprenticeship? Why this employer? Show what you know about them.
    • Competency: Tell me about a time when… Answer with STAR and one real example.
    • Strengths: What do you enjoy? What comes naturally to you? Be honest and specific.
    Discussion questions
    • Which kind of question was hardest?
    • What experience do you have that would answer three different questions?
    Questions students ask
    What if I don't have an example?
    Use school, sport, clubs, caring for someone or a hobby. Employers don't expect work examples at 16 to 18.
    Should I learn answers off by heart?
    No. Know two or three good examples well, and adapt them to the question.

    Students leave with: The STAR method, two prepared examples and practice answering out loud.

  5. Assessment centre in a lesson

    Years 12 and 13 (S5 and S6) 60 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 3

    A full assessment centre in an hour. Groups of three tackle a real-style group task while two observers score them on a sheet, then everyone swaps and does a short interview. Students find out what assessors actually watch for.

    1. 5 min Explain the format and show what real assessment centres include: Williams F1 has a competency interview, a practical skills test, a group exercise and a Q&A.
    2. 15 min Groups of five: three take part in the group task, two observe and score with the sheet.
    3. 5 min Observers give feedback, using the scores and one example each.
    4. 15 min Swap roles so two different students take part, and run the task again with the second brief.
    5. 12 min In pairs, ask each other two interview questions from the sheet, with feedback.
    6. 8 min Whole class: what did the highest scorers do differently?

    Prep: Print the student sheet, one per student, and arrange desks for groups of five.

    Interviews and assessment centres

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • From employers' own pages: Williams F1's assessment centre includes a competency interview, a practical skill assessment, a group exercise and a Q&A. British Airways' includes an interview and work-related exercises. JLR runs a virtual assessment centre with a presentation and a scenario interview.
    • The group briefs are written for this activity. There's no right answer: assessors score how people work, not what they decide.
    • Brief observers to write down what people said and did, not opinions: "asked Jamie what she thought" rather than "nice".
    • The loudest person rarely scores highest. Point this out if the class assumes it.
    On the student sheet

    Group task briefs (15 minutes each)

    • Brief 1: Open day: Your employer wants 60 Year 11 students to visit for an apprenticeship open day. You have £500 and one day. Agree a plan: what they'll do, how you'll get them interested and how you'll know it worked. Present it in two minutes at the end.
    • Brief 2: New apprentices: Twelve new apprentices start next month and many are leaving home for the first time. Agree the three most important things your employer should do in their first week, and why. Present it in two minutes.

    Observer scoring (1 to 4 for each person)

    • Listens and builds on others' ideas
    • Brings others in, especially quieter people
    • Suggests ideas with reasons
    • Keeps the group on task and on time
    • Helps the group reach a decision

    Interview questions

    • Motivation: Why do you want this apprenticeship, and why with us?
    • Teamwork: Tell me about a time you worked in a team that disagreed. What did you do?
    • Problem-solving: Tell me about a time something went wrong. How did you fix it?
    • Strengths: What do you enjoy doing so much that you lose track of time?
    Discussion questions
    • What did the highest scorers do that others didn't?
    • What will you do differently in a real assessment centre?
    Questions students ask
    What do assessors look for in a group task?
    Listening, involving others, building on ideas, keeping to time and helping the group reach a decision.
    What if I'm quiet?
    Quality beats quantity. Asking a good question, summarising where the group has got to or keeping time all score well.

    Students leave with: Experience of every part of an assessment centre, and feedback on how they come across.

  6. My apprenticeship action plan

    Years 11 to 13 (S4 to S6) 25 minutes Gatsby Benchmark 8

    Students leave with a personal plan: three employers to watch, what each asks for, their grade targets and the documents they need ready. Good for the end of a careers unit or before a one-to-one guidance meeting.

    1. 8 min Students pick three employers from Employer Search or their earlier activities, and note what each asks for.
    2. 5 min They check their grades against those programmes in the Grade Matcher and set one target.
    3. 8 min They fill in the "ready to apply" checklist and choose three actions with a month next to each.
    4. 4 min Pairs share one action each and agree how they'll check on each other.

    Prep: Print the plan, one per student. Students need a phone or computer.

    Employer Search

    Teacher notes, discussion and student questions
    Before you start
    • Each employer opens applications at a different time. Students should register for each employer's job alerts or talent community, which most offer, rather than rely on a single date.
    • Bring this plan to one-to-one careers guidance: it gives the adviser something specific to work with.
    • Collect a photo of each plan, or ask students to keep it in their planner, and revisit it after mocks.
    On the student sheet

    Ready to apply?

    • A one-page CV, checked by someone else
    • A cover letter I can adapt for each employer
    • Two STAR examples I could use in an interview
    • I've tried a practice online test
    • An email address I check, with a sensible name
    • I've signed up for job alerts from my three employers
    • A back-up plan if I don't get an offer
    Discussion questions
    • What's the first thing on your plan, and when will you do it?
    • Who can help you with it?
    Questions students ask
    When should I start applying?
    It depends on the employer and changes each year. Register for each employer's job alerts or talent community so you hear as soon as applications open.
    What if I don't get one?
    It's common to apply several times. Ask for feedback, keep your back-up plan, and apply again. Our guide on what to do if you don't get an apprenticeship has options.

    Students leave with: A personal plan with three employers, a grade target and three dated actions.

Through the school years

One way to spread the activities from Year 11 to Year 13 (S4 to S6), so students meet apprenticeships before each big decision.

YearWhenActivities
Year 11 (S4) Autumn term True or false?, Levels decoded, Find your industry, Subject spotlight
Year 11 (S4) After mocks, before post-16 choices Choices at 16, Spot the requirement, What do my grades open up?, the parent and carer sheet at parents' evening
Year 11 (S4) For anyone applying at 16 A CV with no work experience, Interview answers that work, My apprenticeship action plan
Year 12 (S5) Autumn and spring terms True or false?, Compare two employers, What's an apprentice wage worth?, Apprenticeship or university?
Year 12 (S5) Summer term, before applications A CV with no work experience, A cover letter that gets read, My apprenticeship action plan
Year 13 (S6) Autumn term, while applying Online tests and video interviews, Interview answers that work, Assessment centre in a lesson

For careers leaders

Each activity says which Gatsby Benchmark it supports. Benchmark 2 expects every student to use information about careers and pathways during each key stage, and parents and carers to be supported to use it too. Benchmark 4 asks subject staff to highlight the progression routes for their subject. Ofsted looks at how far a school is making progress towards the benchmarks.

The Gatsby Benchmarks apply in England. Schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can run the activities the same way, and the site covers the qualifications and school years in each nation.

Send it to your tutors

Pick a year group to get a message you can paste into an email to form tutors. Each link goes straight to the activity, so there's nothing for them to find.

For parents and carers

Benchmark 2 includes parents and carers. Hand out this sheet at options evenings and parents' evenings, or paste the newsletter text into your next bulletin.

  • An apprenticeship is a paid job with training. At least 20% of working hours go on training.
  • Apprentices are paid at least £8.00 an hour if they're under 19 or in their first year. Many employers pay much more.
  • Apprentices don't pay tuition fees, including on degree apprenticeships.
  • Child Benefit stops when your child starts an apprenticeship, because it counts as a job.
  • Your child can apply while still at school, as long as they'll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.
  • Apprenticeships go from Level 2 (like GCSEs) to Level 7 (like a master's degree).

These rules are for England. The website has separate guides for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Newsletter text

Apprenticeships are paid jobs with training, from Level 2 up to degree level, with no tuition fees. If your child is thinking about one, Apprentice Insider is a free, independent guide to UK apprenticeship employers. Every fact links to its official source, and there are no adverts or sign-ups. Its guide for parents and carers covers pay, Child Benefit and how to help with applications: https://apprenticeinsider.co.uk/guides/apprenticeships-guide-for-parents/

Post for students

Thinking about an apprenticeship? Apprentice Insider is a free, independent guide to UK apprenticeship employers. Take the 20-question quiz to find an industry that suits you, then use the Grade Matcher to see which employers' entry requirements your grades meet. https://apprenticeinsider.co.uk

Tell me how you used it

If you use Apprentice Insider with students, I'd like to hear what worked, what didn't and what would make it more useful in lessons.

Email: contact@apprenticeinsider.co.uk

Bluesky: @apprenticeinsider.bsky.social

Sources: Careers guidance and access for education and training providers (Department for Education); A guide to Gatsby Benchmark 2 (Gatsby Foundation); A guide to Gatsby Benchmark 4 (Gatsby Foundation); Updated statutory guidance 2026: what school and college leaders need to know (Gatsby Foundation).