Essential Teaching UK

We knew we were first… but this feels different.

When the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE & Skills) went live, we acted quickly, enrolling unqualified teachers within minutes. That was a milestone in itself.

But, are we the first to take a full cohort all the way through an Initial Teacher Education journey from start to completion?

We may never know for certain.

What we do know is this…

It’s been a year of challenge, growth, and constant reflection, for our Trainee Teachers and for Gavin Lumsden, our Teacher-Educator.

There were moments that tested us. Moments where we reframed, refocused, and refreshed.

And through it all, something powerful happened:

The curriculum evolved with the trainee teachers.

Today, we’re proud to share that our first cohort has successfully completed the full one-year programme.

They are now qualified teachers.

This isn’t just about being first. It’s about what happens when you commit to:

listening to learners
developing practice in real time
and building a programme that lives, not just delivers

To our first cohort, thank you for trusting the process, contributing to its development, and shaping what this programme has become.

And to those considering their journey into teaching…

We'd love to hear from you!

Whether you are coaching in a classroom or mentoring one to one, the power of coaching and mentoring is interlinked.

We’ve seen it firsthand from our partnered colleges here in the UK to individual learners across the world.

Our One-Day Coaching for Education programme is intended for those who are required to enhance the principles, skills and impact of coaching and mentoring, this will develop expertise in coaching and mentoring for individual and team needs.

Why Join US?

Rapid Impact: Master core coaching principles in a high-impact, one-day programme.

Versatile Design: Perfect for those entering teaching or seasoned educators looking to refine their skills.

A Proven Pathway: While our one-day course is standalone, it's the perfect "taster." If you love it, you can transfer directly to the TQUK Level 3 Award in Coaching and Mentoring, developed in partnership with Essential Teaching UK.

Real-Time Learning, Anywhere: Forget static, pre-recorded videos. Our Live Virtual Classroom offers the best of hybrid learning..

A Live Teacher: Interact, ask questions, and get feedback in real-time.

Ultimate Convenience: Study from the comfort of your home or the convenience of your workplace.

Ready?

Join a network of educators who are redefining what it means to coach or mentor.

Click Here to Secure Your Spot: https://essential-teaching-uk.cademy.io/coaching-for-education-live-virtual-classroom-group-sessions

or

Comment or WhatsApp "COACH" and we will reach out and share further information with you...

Coaching for Education (Live Virtual Classroom - Group Sessions) by Essential Teaching UK on cademy.io Achieving your Coaching for Education - Continuous Professional Development

Relaunching: Forces Into Teaching or Training

At Essential Teaching UK, we are proud to reintroduce Forces Into Teaching or Training, a new pathway designed to support Armed Forces personnel transitioning into careers in teaching, training, and assessing.

Every year, highly skilled individuals leave the Armed Forces with extensive experience in:
• Instruction and training delivery
• Leadership and mentoring
• Assessing competence and standards
• Translating complex technical knowledge into practical skills

These capabilities align perfectly with the needs of the Further Education and Skills sector.

However, many service leavers simply need the recognised teaching qualifications that allow them to translate their experience into civilian education roles.

We support Armed Forces leavers to achieve qualifications including:
• Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE & Skills)
• Level 3 Award in Education and Training
• Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training
• Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement

These programmes open opportunities to work within:
Further Education colleges
Independent training providers
Apprenticeship delivery
Workplace and industry training

The sector needs professionals with real-world experience, credibility, and leadership, the qualities that Armed Forces personnel bring in abundance.

The initiative is led by Gavin Lumsden, Teacher-Educator, Naval Officer, and co-author of Achieving your Diploma in Teaching (FE & Skills).

If you are an Armed Forces leaver considering a career in teaching, training, or assessing, we would love to hear from you.

Your next mission could be developing the next generation of skilled professionals.

Learn more: www.essentialteaching.uk

Further Education colleges continue to face significant pressure in developing high-quality teaching practice while managing staffing capacity, workload, and compliance expectations.

Essential Teaching UK partners with FE Colleges to provide online, teacher-supported self-study and live virtual classroom programmes that strengthen teaching quality without increasing internal delivery burden.

Our model enables colleges to:

Develop confident, reflective practitioners

Reduce pressure on internal teacher training teams

Maintain consistent, FE-aligned provision

Support inspection readiness through sustained practice

Offer flexible development pathways that fit teaching timetables

Courses are designed and supported by experienced FE Teacher-Educators, ensuring learners receive professional guidance rather than automated or isolated self-study.

Partnership options are flexible and scalable, ranging from pilot cohorts to embedded delivery models, allowing colleges to respond to immediate needs while planning for long-term sustainability.

Essential Teaching UK is not a replacement for internal expertise. We work alongside college teams as a delivery partner, providing trusted, sector-informed support that aligns with institutional priorities and values.

For CEOs & Principals seeking a low-risk, high-impact approach to teacher development, Essential Teaching UK offers a practical and credible solution.

Whether you are an individual educator or an organisation planning ahead, we’re ready when you are. Visit our refresh homepage: www.essentialteaching.uk

We’re working behind the scenes at Essential Teaching UK

We’re currently developing our new homepage, and while it’s not quite ready to launch yet, it is coming soon.

The new homepage will make it clearer:
who we support across the FE and Skills sector
how our Teacher Supported Self-Study model works
with fully supported delivery solutions, adapting to your organisational needs.
how colleges, training providers, and individual educators can work with us
and why quality, flexibility, and real teacher support sit at the heart of everything we do

This refresh is about more than design. It’s about making it easier for people to understand how we support confident educators and sustainable FE practice.

Please check back soon and take a look when it goes live

We’re excited to share it with you.

www.essentialteaching.uk

More to come.

Home Empowering the Next Generation of Teachers, and supporting Colleges and the wider Further Education & Skills sector

We are continually being asked do we support those completing QTLS!

YES!

QTLS Professional Formation — you don’t have to do it alone.

Undertaking Professional Formation can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to juggle teaching, CPD, evidence, and deadlines.

That’s why, at Essential Teaching UK, we’ve developed an informal QTLS Membership Group to support those working towards QTLS in a practical, realistic, and supportive way.

For just under £15 a month, members get:
A safe space to ask all their QTLS questions
Support to help you stay on track and meet key timelines
A community of like-minded FE professionals on the same journey

Ongoing guidance from an experienced Teacher-Educator who understands the process inside out

Alongside the community, members also receive three live online support sessions, aligned to the Professional Formation cycle:

Application support (Aug/Sept)
Starting your portfolio (Jan)
CPD phase support (Apr/May)

This isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about confidence, clarity, and professional growth.

If you’re starting your Professional Formation and want support, structure, and reassurance along the way, this community may be just what you need.

Comment or message us to find out more.

Essential Teaching UK > Empowering the Next Generation of Teachers, and supporting Colleges and the > wider Further Education & Skills sector Established in 2015, Essential Teaching UK Ltd is a small Education & Training Consultancy focused on increasing learner confidence, maintaining learner motivation and ensuring all...

Essential Teaching UK – Ready for FE ITE 2026/27

With the release of the new Department for Education guidance for Further Education Initial Teacher Education (FE ITE) from academic year 2026/27, we want to reassure our colleges and partners that Essential Teaching UK is ready.

Our programmes, resources and quality assurance approaches have been developed with rigour, clarity and sector alignment at their core. We are pleased to confirm that our FE ITE provision already meets the expectations set out in the new guidance, including curriculum intent, delivery standards, and the evidence required for registration.

This reflects our long-standing commitment to:
High-quality, evidence-informed FE teacher education
Strong partnerships with colleges and training providers
Practical, applied support for trainee teachers and teacher educators
Compliance without unnecessary burden

As always, we will continue to work collaboratively with our partners to ensure a smooth transition into the 2026/27 requirements and beyond, keeping the focus where it belongs: on developing confident, capable and reflective FE professionals.

If you are planning FE ITE delivery for 2026/27 and would like to talk through readiness, alignment, or partnership working, we would be delighted to have that conversation.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-education-initial-teacher-education?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-single-page&utm_source=84aa915b-8496-4a3f-9045-e54df92c2aff&utm_content=immediately

Further education: initial teacher education Information for providers of initial teacher education (ITE) for the further education (FE) sector.

New Evening Course Added!

At Essential Teaching UK, we’ve been listening closely to your feedback.

After a wave of enquiries for our Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE & Skills), many of you told us you needed a flexible evening option that fits around work, family, and life commitments.

So… we’ve made it happen!

📘 NEW Evening L5DT Course
🗓 Starts: Thursday 22 January 2025
⏰ Time: 18:30 – 20:30
🏫 Format: Live Virtual Classroom
📅 Weekly – Term Time Only

If you’re ready to take the next step in your FE teaching career, with a course designed to fit your schedule, this is your chance.

Message us or visit our website to secure your place: https://essential-teaching-uk.cademy.io/level-5-diploma-in-teaching-fe-skills-open

Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE & Skills) - Live Virtual Classroom (Our Teach FE Programme) by Essential Teaching UK on cademy.io Achieving your Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (FE & Skills) via our Live Virtual Classroom

Today saw our Director Louise Lumsden support the local Waterlooville Food Bank with a bounty of Christmas treats.

What a bounty of Christmas goodies dropped off today by Louise Lumsden from Essential Teaching Uk she then went on to wrap Christmas boxes for us, what a generous kind heart thank you so much ❤️

New offer - Learn anytime. Teach everywhere.

Empower your professional development with our New On-Demand Courses, designed for teachers, trainers, and education professionals who want to learn at their own pace, in their own time.

Whether you’re a learner looking to upskill, a college seeking high-quality qualifications for your staff, or part of the wider FE community aiming to stay current with educational roles and best practice, our on-demand offer provides accessible, flexible and impactful learning to fit around your busy schedule.

Each course is designed by sector experts and aligned with the latest standards in teaching, learning, assessment and assurance. You’ll gain immediate access to engaging materials, reflective activities, and practical insights that can be applied directly to your role.

Explore qualifications including:

Level 1 Award in Mentoring
Level 3 Award in Coaching & Mentoring
Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring

Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Related Achievement
Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment
Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement

Level 4 Award in Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processess and Practice
Level 4 Certificate in Leading Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processess and Practice

✅ Learn when it suits you
✅ Apply new skills immediately
✅ Join a growing community shaping the future of FE

Discover our On-Demand Courses today: https://essential-teaching-uk.cademy.io/?list=272008fb-9446-46ed-ac08-d1434db70276

Essential Teaching UK > Empowering the Next Generation of Teachers, and supporting Colleges and the > wider Further Education & Skills sector Established in 2015, Essential Teaching UK Ltd is a small Education & Training Consultancy focused on increasing learner confidence, maintaining learner motivation and ensuring all...

We’ve just received some brilliant feedback on our new learning platform, and it really captures what we set out to achieve:

“This is a really slick resource. I appreciate that everything is on one page, without the need for hundreds of confusing tabs. I can scan through the whole course quickly using the navigation slider, looking ahead or back as needed.”

“The quick quizzes are a great way to check what’s been read or remembered. The essays are easy to access, and it’s fantastic having AI embedded and available.”

We love hearing how the platform makes learning smoother, simpler, and more engaging. And, we would like to extend our thanks to Cademy.io for supporting our ideas.