School Onsite Training Programme

What is the School Onsite Training Programme?

Te Rito Maioha has received funding from the Ministry of Education for 81 School Onsite Training Programme (SOTP) places in the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) programme for 2026. This funding is designed to support teacher trainees in a field-based programme of initial teacher education by reducing the financial barriers associated with training to be a teacher.

SOTP candidates will incur no tuition fees and receive a stipend* to assist with living and other study-related costs associated with training to become a primary school teacher. A TBC payment will also be made to the field-based school hosting the student teacher | tauira to help cover the costs of accommodating a student teacher | tauira onsite for the academic year.

*Stipend amount for 2026 TBC

Our Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) and the School Onsite Training Programme

SOTP students must be enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) programme; a one-year, full-time programme leading to New Zealand teacher registration.

Through the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) programme student teachers | tauira will build their understanding of the role of the professional teacher in Aotearoa New Zealand, the New Zealand curriculum and gain the skills needed to be a reflective, ethical, culturally responsive and child-centred teacher. The programme allows student teachers | tauira to engage in a full-time programme of study online supported by lecturers and teachers while they live and work in their community.

To be eligible for one of the 81 SOTP places applicants must meet the entry requirements for both our Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) and those of the School Onsite Training Programme.

What are the benefits of SOTP for teacher trainees?

The SOTP initiative is designed to support teacher trainees in graduate-level field-based programmes of initial teacher education by reducing some of the financial barriers associated with training to be a qualified primary school teacher. The additional days in the classroom in a field-based initial teacher education programme allow teacher trainees to gain experience and confidence in the role of the teacher, to build strong professional relationships in their field-based school and remain in their community while they study.

What are the benefits of SOTP for field-based schools?

Field-based initial teacher education programmes provide a vital pathway for developing capable and confident teachers who work with diverse learners in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our graduates highlight that the support they received from their field-based schools played a key role in their learning journey and overall success. The additional classroom experience offered in this field-based programme gives student teachers | tauira valuable insights into the dynamics of a full school year, equipping them with the confidence and readiness to step into the profession as qualified teachers.

In return, field-based schools have the chance to support and build relationships with student teachers | tauira, recognizing them as valued members of the teaching team within their school.

• Online
• Field-based
• Orientation
• Practicum

We are committed to providing our student teachers | tauira and field-based schools with exceptional communication and support.

Each week field-based schools and associate teachers receive a pānui detailing the focus for learning in each teaching course and any specific programme requirements or dates.

Student teachers | tauira and their associate teachers are supported in field-based and practicum placements by an experienced visiting lecturer from the primary team. The visiting lecturer is available to meet via zoom to answer questions and to provide support, guidance and encouragement. They will also visit student teachers | tauira and their associate teacher in person to observe and give feedback on teaching practice.

Regular zoom hui are offered for associate teachers and the requirements for field-based practice and practicum placements are outlined in a set of clear and practical guides to teaching practice.

How will the 81 SOTP places be allocated?

The places will be allocated to eligible student teachers | tauira who have met all entry requirements.

In line with the Ministry of Education’s goals for the SOTP initiative, priority will be given to student teachers in established Te Rito Maioha partnership schools and new field-based schools located outside of Auckland, particularly in rural and remote areas.

We aim to make the first allocation of SOTP places to be confirmed, with additional places allocated every two weeks until all spots are filled. We encourage applicants to complete the enrolment process as soon as possible.

What if I am not allocated one of the SOTP places?

Applicants not allocated an SOTP place for 2026 may still enrol as a fee-paying student in the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) programme.

To be eligible for one of the 81 SOTP places applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled full-time in our Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) programme

• Be a domestic student

• Are not currently, and have not, received a TeachNZ Scholarship

To enrol in the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) programme applicants must:

• Hold an equivalent NZQA Level 7 Bachelor’s Degree or higher (if gained overseas you may be required to have this assessed by NZQA).

• Be at least 17 years of age.

• Provide 2 written confidential referee reports.
  Reports from family members or friends will not be accepted.

• Complete and pass a children’s worker safety check as required under the Children’s Act 2014.

• Consent to and pass a police vetting check as required by the Children’s Act 2014.

• Show proficiency in English as per the Teaching Council’s language competency requirements.
  See: Language Competency Requirements

• Identify an appropriate field-based school that is willing to host them three days each week; including two days a week in a classroom in the role of the student teacher supervised by a registered and certificated associate teacher. If the applicant does not have a field-based school, we can assist in exploring potential placement options and provide guidance about how to approach a potential field-based school.

To be enrolled in the SOTP initiative, student teachers | tauira are required to identify a suitable field-based school that is willing to host them for three days each week. For a minimum of two of the three days each week tauira are to be in the role of the student teacher in a primary, intermediate or year 1 to 8 classroom in an area school, teaching under the supervision of a fully registered and certificated associate teacher.

Student teachers | tauira who have been referred to us by one of our existing partnership schools or who have an identified field-based school will be contacted by us to organise an interview with a member of our teaching team. A representative from the designated school will participate in the interview if possible.

For student teachers | tauira who do not have an identified field-based school, we can assist in exploring potential placement options and provide guidance about how to approach a potential field-based school.

Working in the Role of Teacher Aide, Learning Assistant or LAT

The roles and responsibilities of a student teacher | tauira are different from those of a teacher aide, learning assistant or LAT. During the two field-based days student teachers | tauira must be in the role of the student teacher – this means they must be supervised at all times during these two days by a registered and certificated associate teacher.

While enrolled SOTP student teachers | tauira can work and be paid for additional days (beyond their two field-based days) in roles such as teacher aide, learning assistant or LAT. However, it is essential to balance the full-time study commitments of the programme with any additional workdays.

As an experienced field-based initial teacher education provider we will work with student teachers | tauira and field-based schools to ensure that the roles and responsibilities for field-based days are clearly defined.

The Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) programme begins with a three-day in-person orientation held prior to the start of Semester one.

This programme is intensive, and the orientation plays a crucial role in ensuring that student teachers | tauira are set up for success. During this time, tauira will receive essential information about programme requirements, course content and online learning tools to help them get started.

Additionally, orientation is an important opportunity for student teachers | tauira to build connections with the learning community they will be working with throughout the year. 

We appreciate that the orientation is a significant commitment in both time and resources for student teacher | tauira, and as such all elements of the orientation programme have been carefully considered to maximise the time together.

In Semester two orientation will be held online in the first week.

Semester One Orientation Details

For 2026, the three-day in-person orientation for the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) in-person will be held in Wellington.

In addition to field-based days, the Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary) programme includes two practicum placements. Practicums are periods of continuous practice, Monday to Friday, in schools other than the field-based school.

Practicum one is five weeks at the end of semester one. Practicum two is seven weeks spread around the term three school holidays (two weeks at the end of term three and five weeks at the start of term four).

To ensure that student teachers |tauira to concentrate on developing and evaluating their classroom practice, there are no online course requirements during practicum periods.