The DfE recognises the importance of high-quality mentoring. During 2024-2025, school colleagues were able to claim up to 20-hours of funding. Colleagues have had the opportunity to claim for mentor training completed in 24-25. There is a final opportunity to claim for mentor training completed in 24-25 (see DfE information below).
Final opportunity to claim ITT mentor training funding for 2024/25
The second and final claim window for ITT general mentor training funding for academic year 2024/25 opens on Monday 1 September.
Accredited ITT providers must record placement schools in trainee records to verify their eligibility to claim funding — both SCITTs and Universities will need to do this via the Register trainee teachers' service as the window to upload to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) has closed.
Schools must have a mentor to complete training this year.
The window closes Friday 26th September 2025. Claims cannot be submitted after this date. View mentor training guidance for further information or contact Service Support: ittmentor.funding@education.gov.uk if you require further assistance.
Department for Education announcement
June 19, 2025
This year, Initial Teacher Training (ITT) providers and placement schools were eligible to apply for multiple funding streams to help them deliver the new ITT requirements for the 2024/25 academic year. The funding included the General Mentor Grant, the Intensive Training and Practice Grant, and the Lead Mentor Grant. Up until now, we have been unable to confirm whether this funding would be available in the 2025/26 academic year.
As part of the multi-year spending review, we are now able to confirm that funding will be available for 2025/26. Whilst we are still working through the exact level of available funding, we aim to confirm this as soon as possible. We are contacting you now to provide assurances that a funding settlement has been agreed for the 2025/26 academic year.
As soon as we are able to confirm the funding levels for the coming academic year, we will let you know. We realise that this process has made it difficult for providers and schools to budget without knowledge of whether funding would be available for 2025/26, and we are grateful for your patience during this process. If you have any questions around this funding, please email ittreform.funding@education.gov.uk
Useful websites and documents
You will find all the relevant information that you need to support you with your school application for mentor training at the following website. Updates for 25-26 will be available once published.
2024 — 2025
- Initial Teacher Training: Reform Funding Guidance (July 2025)
- General Mentor Training Conditions of Grant (July 2025)
- General Mentor Training: Additional Guidance (Nov 2024)
2025 — 2026
