Training at Co-op Academy Medlock gives you a unique opportunity to begin your teaching career in a vibrant, inclusive primary school in the heart of Manchester. Our diverse community is central to academy life, and trainees learn in an environment where every pupil is valued, every voice matters and success is celebrated.

Our city-centre location creates exciting opportunities to enrich learning through links with universities, museums, arts organisations and community partners. You’ll see how these relationships can bring the curriculum to life, while also experiencing a school where pupil leadership, creativity, culture and collaboration are encouraged.

As part of Co-op Academies Trust, trainees benefit from high-quality mentoring, evidence-informed professional development and the wider support of the Professional Development Institute. Opportunities across Early Years, primary and SEND settings can help broaden your experience, and you’ll be encouraged to bring your own ideas and talents to academy life. Medlock is a place where trainees are supported to grow, contribute and make a genuine difference from the start.

Co-op Academies Trust believes in changing the lives of young people through empowering teachers and young people to work together for a better education and a better community.

The Trust brings together expertise from across Primary, Secondary, Special and Further Education in an aim to promote excellence in all aspects of education.

Our provision is a combination of practical training, both within and outside of the classroom; a proactive and evidence-informed curriculum to build your pedagogical and subject knowledge with a further academic focus provided by university professionals. Our courses offer Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) accredited by Bright Futures SCITT, part of the Bright Futures Teaching School Hub as well as a Masters Level Qualification through the Postgraduate Certificate in Education awarded by The University of Derby (PGCE with 60 Masters Credits).

As a Trainee Teacher with Co-op Academies, you can immerse yourself in school life from day one and join a team of staff committed to delivering the highest quality learning and teaching to children across our Trust. 

If you are keen to learn from a range of professionals currently in a full time role within our placement schools, then our school-led training is the route for you. Your mentors, teachers and Specialist Leaders of Education (SLEs) will support you fully, using innovative training to enable you to become a resilient, successful teacher. 

• A curriculum that grows with you, through three phases: Introductory, Developmental and Consolidation

• Weekly Learn, Explore, Apply reflection tasks – linking theory to practice

• Professional studies to boost your confidence in behaviour, planning, assessment, and SEND

• Intensive training weeks focused on things like questioning, clarity and scaffolding

• Experience across mainstream, alternative and SEND settings – plus out-of-phase experience (e.g. primary trainees spend time in secondary)