Apply to become a learning environment

To gain learning environment approval, your Primary Care Network (PCN) must demonstrate it has the processes in place to provide high quality learning experiences for all students / learners. Approval is a one-off process, complemented by ongoing quality assurance checks.

Completing the approval form

The learning environment approval form allows you to demonstrate your PCN meets the required educational quality measures (mapped to the standards in the NHS England Workforce Training and Education quality framework. The form includes:

  • PCN organisational details
  • Self-assessment of the educational quality of the learning environment

Do’s

  • Do identify areas of good practice across your PCN
  • Do identify career progression opportunities for students / learners (domain 3)
  • Do include examples of interprofessional learning
  • Do link every example back to the student / learner
  • Do tell us how you support all students / learners (both medical and wider workforce)
  • Do use balanced (positive and negative) examples
  • Do use the example documents and templates available

Dont’s

  • Don’t complete the approval form in isolation – work with colleagues across the PCN, and ask us for support when needed
  • Don’t forget to seek support from your Learning Environment Lead (LEL), Training Hub Programme Director (THPD) or Learning Environment Facilitator (LEF) before submitting the approval form
  • Don’t use the same example for every domain, provide varied examples

Key points to include

  • How you engage with your local universities (HEIs) to support student / learner placements, particularly when your PCN is establishing new pathways for learning
  • How you link in with HEI escalation processes when supporting students / learners
  • How you recognise the supernumerary status of pre-registration students
Download the approval form for PCN learning environments View the process flowchart for PCN approval Download our suggestions of evidence you may want to include

Example Berkshire West PCN [PDF, size: 374 KB]

Example Hampshire PCN example [PDF, size: 444 KB]

Example Hampshire (South East Hants) PCN example [PDF, size: 372 KB]

Example Oxfordshire PCN example [PDF, size: 459 KB]

Yes, we do not expect PCNs to train differently to the way they work. If for example, your PCN is spread across a wide geography, you may not expect staff or learners to routinely travel to other sites. In these instances, we would encourage you to consider the services you do provide across the breadth of your PCN, and how learners could support these. You could also explore digital solutions such as online tutorials.

Visit our additional hub site approval webpage for full details on adding new practices.

We recommend every PCN engages with either their LEL, THPD, or LEF to prepare the approval form.

Email england.primarycareschooltvw.se@nhs.net to be directed to the most appropriate contact.

How we will review your approval form

The learning environment approval / verification panel is the mechanism for the Primary Care School to assess whether there is sufficient, good quality evidence within your approval form, to demonstrate your PCN meets the required educational quality measures.

An outcome is collectively awarded during panel, and will be shared with your team and local HEIs. The possible outcomes are:

  • Approved as a PCN learning environment
  • Approved as a PCN learning environment with actions
  • Not approved as a PCN learning environment

Approval outcome decisions are based on information provided in the approval form, and informed by discussions at panel.

Click to find out more about the panel process

If your PCN has been approved as a learning environment, and you would like an optional approval certificate, please request this from carly.donnarumma@southernhealth.nhs.uk.

Booking an approval / verification panel

A maximum of three spaces are available for each panel, which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please note if your PCN does not submit the completed approval paperwork four weeks prior to panel, your space may be reallocated.

Email carly.donnarumma@southernhealth.nhs.uk to confirm your preferred panel date from the list below:

2024

Date of panelDeadline for PCN submissionDeadline for PCN outcomeAvailability on panel
Wednesday 13 November 2024Wednesday 16 October 2024Wednesday 27 November 2024Fully booked
Tuesday 26 November 2024Tuesday 29 October 2024Tuesday 10 December 2024Fully booked
Thursday 5 December 2024Thursday 7 November 2024TBCFully booked
Thursday 12 December 2024Thursday 14 November 2024TBCFully booked

2025

Date of panelDeadline for PCN submissionDeadline for PCN outcomeAvailability on panel
Wednesday 8 January 2025Wednesday 11 December 2024Wednesday 22 January 20252 spaces
Thursday 16 January 2025Thursday 19 December 2024Thursday 30 January 20251 space
Thursday 20 February 2025Thursday 23 January 2025Thursday 6 March 20251 space
Thursday 27 February 2025Thursday 30 January 2025Thursday 13 March 20253 spaces
Wednesday 12 March 2025Wednesday 12 February 2025Wednesday 26 March 20253 spaces
Thursday 27 March 2025Thursday 27 February 2025Thursday 10 April 20253 spaces
Thursday 17 April 2025Thursday 20 March 2025Thursday 1 May 20253 spaces
Thursday 24 April 2025Thursday 27 March 2025Thursday 8 May 20253 spaces
Thursday 15 May 2025Thursday 17 April 2025Thursday 29 May 20253 spaces
Thursday 22 May 2025Thursday 24 April 2025Thursday 5 June 20253 spaces
Wednesday 4 June 2025Wednesday 7 May 2025Wednesday 18 June 20253 spaces
Tuesday 24 June 2025Tuesday 27 May 2025Tuesday 8 July 20253 spaces
Thursday 17 July 2025Thursday 19 June 2025Thursday 31 July 20253 spaces
Thursday 24 July 2025Thursday 26 June 2025Thursday 7 August 20253 spaces
Thursday 21 August 2025Thursday 24 July 2025Thursday 4 September 20253 spaces
Thursday 28 August 2025Thursday 31 July 2025Thursday 11 September 20253 spaces
Thursday 18 September 2025Thursday 21 August 2025Thursday 2 October 20253 spaces
Thursday 25 September 2025Thursday 28 August 2025Thursday 9 October 20253 spaces

Explore other resources

Click to apply for additional hub site approval Click to find out more about developing your learning environment Click to view our learning environment resources

Receive updates from us

For updates relating to PCN learning environments, please refer back to this webpage or sign up to our mailing list.