School Onsite Training Programme

The School Onsite Training Programme (SOTP) provides funding for places in school-based Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes. It gives student teachers the opportunity to gain practical teaching experience in a host school while studying towards their teaching qualification.

Funding

The Ministry pays SOTP funding to ITE providers. ITE providers distribute this funding to schools and kura, and student teachers participating in their ITE programmes.

Host schools and kura receive a contribution to the cost of hosting onsite for the school year. 

Student teachers entering the SOTP programme receive a tax-free bursary of $20,660 and host schools and kura receive $2,000 per student teacher. This contributes to the cost of hosting onsite for the school year.

Applications

Applications for 2026 cohort are now closed. More information about the 2027 SOTP initiative will be shared once finalised.

ITE Providers and Programmes

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from ITE providers. More information about the application process and ITE providers will be available here once this process has been completed.

Learn more about placement numbers and allocations of previous years on the infosheet in the Popular Resources section of this page.

Information for ITE providers

To be eligible for SOTP funding, ITE providers must deliver an approved 1-year graduate or postgraduate ITE programme that:

• will lead to teacher registration  
• is focused on primary or secondary education.

ITE providers must also:

• Demonstrate understanding of and integrate work-based pedagogy in their programme delivery and design. They must work with host schools on this design and delivery.
• Demonstrate how SOTP delivers wraparound support and structure for student teachers
  include explicit focus on preparing teachers to teach the new curriculum, including structured literacy, mathematics and the science of learning.
• Demonstrate how assessment includes authentic evidence generated through practice, including onsite assessment involving mentor teachers and other school staff where appropriate.
• Have clear agreements with schools that address how student teachers will be supported onsite by experienced mentor teachers.
• Offer opportunities for mentor teachers to enhance their mentoring skills.
• Have clear agreements with host schools on how they work together to select student teachers.

Contact us

Email if you have any questions, we're here to help.

info.sotp@education.govt.nz