Four schools in north Essex are piloting one of the country’s first apprenticeship programmes aimed at the teaching profession.

The scheme has been developed to offer school-leavers an alternative path into a teaching career and is aimed at young people who have good teaching potential but for whom a more practical approach is preferred.

The schools involved – Powers Hall Academy in Witham, Lyons Hall Primary School in Braintree, Kelvedon St Mary’s and Engaines Primary School in Clacton – have taken on six apprentices between them who will learn hands-on teaching skills four days a week and attend Chelmsford College on day release.

A partnership with Canterbury University to deliver remote degree-level study is also planned.

Funding has been secured from the National Apprenticeship Service and Essex County Council.

Director of teaching school at Powers Hall Academy and co-founder of the scheme, Tim Cuerden, said: “It was felt we were missing out on good teachers who weren’t suited to the traditional academic route to qualification.

“The scheme could encourage more males into teaching because they are attracted to doing things.”

Yesterday, Mr Cuerden met with apprentices, teachers and Witham MP Priti Patel to officially launch the apprenticeship scheme.