With deep roots in the education sector, we pride ourselves on providing the best support to our apprentices
We offer a wide range of apprenticeship programmes designed for new and experienced teaching assistants, SENCOs, teachers and senior leaders looking to develop in their role and progress in their career.
Apprenticeships provide practical opportunities to learn on the job, giving people the knowledge, skills and behaviours they require to be successful in their roles and positively impact pupils.
We’ve witnessed first-hand the powerful transformational impact they can have.
“We speak the language of our schools and recognise the daily challenges faced within their environment. We are here to work with them to recognise the value of apprenticeships, not just for young school leavers but for a diverse stratum of educational professionals.”
Jo Pountney
Director of Apprenticeships
Specialist apprenticeship providers for over thirteen years
ESF Apprenticeships was established in 2011 as Sporting Futures Training (UK) Ltd. We are recognised by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (now part of the Department for Education) as an approved apprenticeship training provider (APAR).
Since then we have flourished, diversified and developed our offering through nationally recognised good practice.
We’ve worked with just about every type of educational or community sports setting there is, and take pride in establishing close working relationships with our partner schools.
The flexibility and experience of our team coupled with our extensive school network enables us to deliver high-quality training with high levels of achievement and success. Our achievement rates are routinely far above national averages.
SEND expertise from Real Group
In 2022 we became part of Real Group – a company that provides world-class postgraduate level training in special educational needs (SEND) and mental health, as well as educational psychology services to schools.
This has allowed us to expand our offering and develop a particular focus on SEND and social and emotional wellbeing training.
What does Ofsted say about us?
“Tutors have developed an extremely well-planned curriculum. Their curriculum design enables apprentices to rapidly become self-assured, knowledgeable and skilled sports coaches and classroom teaching assistants.”
Meet the team
- Directors & leadership team
- Academic team
- Support team
Why choose ESF as your apprenticeship provider?
Ofsted outstanding
Year-on-year data shows less than 10% of apprenticeship providers gain an outstanding rating when inspected.
Additional qualifications
From Elklan to ELSA we’re always on the lookout for value-added qualifications, while keeping things as flexible as possible.
SEND expertise
Our successful acquisition by Real Group, means we can now draw on the knowledge of EPs, SENCOs and other experts from our parent company.
Curriculum leads are experienced teachers
Our directors, tutors and curriculum leads are all qualified teachers who have had successful school careers.