Assessment Only Route to QTS Short course

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Demonstrate your experience in teaching to gain a formal qualification. Take one of the fastest routes to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Use your QTS to apply for roles in state-maintained schools in England and Wales.

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Overview

The Assessment Only Route to QTS (AOR to QTS) is for experienced teachers who have been teaching whole classes for a minimum of two years. You need to have worked in two different schools and have significant experience of two key stages across one of the following age ranges: 3-11 (primary), 7-14 (middle) or 11-19 (secondary).

The AOR to QTS allows you to demonstrate that you already meet all of the Teachers' Standards for QTS.

The assessment period is a maximum of 12 weeks which commences after registration with Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). If you meet the eligibility criteria for AOR to QTS (see our entry requirements), we will ask you to present detailed preliminary evidence about your teaching at interview. For the final recommendation for QTS, we will re-assess your evidence and assess your teaching. This assessment will be conducted in the school at which you are working.

Typical applications to this route include people who have taught for more than two years in the independent sector or overseas. The AOR to QTS is also possible if you wish to be assessed while teaching overseas. Please note that whether you are UK based or overseas, you must be in a school that runs the UK National Curriculum.

If you are awarded QTS, the next step is to undertake a year as a newly qualified teacher (NQT). This includes a personalised programme of professional support and further assessment against the core professional standards for teachers normally organised by your employing school or local authority.

There is no formal teaching on the AOR to QTS.

Why us?

The University of Sunderland is an accredited provider for the Assessment Only Route to QTS. More details are available from the Department for Education.

Course structure

Assessment takes place in the school where you are employed. Assessment periods are for a maximum of 12 weeks. We provide an individualised assessment plan to suit your requirements which includes the recommended assessment period. If we consider that a longer period would be beneficial, we will advise you to consider applying for one of our ITT training courses.

There is no taught element on this route so you do not need to attend University. You will be expected to attend an interview, which is normally held on campus.

The assessment for QTS will take place at the school where you are teaching at the time of final assessment.

Entry requirements

We require applicants to have the following:

An honours degree, normally a 2:2 or above
GCSE grade C, or equivalent, in mathematics and English language. If you intend to teach at primary level you also need at least a grade C in a science subject
Full proficiency in English language
Recent significant experience of teaching in at least two schools
Teaching experience across two key stages in their chosen age range: either 3-11 (primary), 7-14 (middle), or 11-19 (secondary)
Be placed at a UK National Curriculum school for the period of registration and assessment
An enhanced check from the Disclosure and Barring Service and Fitness-To-Teach approval, or International equivalent if overseas
References recommending you for the Assessment Only Route from the headteacher/principal of the schools in which you have gained your experience

The Department for Education (DfE) are removing the Professional Skills Test for all trainees from April 2020 and a new process for assessing numeracy and literacy will be introduced for ITT next year. Further information can be found on the DfE website.

We invite potential candidates to an interview where you present a portfolio of initial evidence that shows clear progress towards meeting the QTS standards.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

For further information please contact: fes.itt.assessment.only@sunderland.ac.uk.

Fees and finance

The total fee for this course is:

£1,850 (£300 for the interview and £1550 for the final assessment) plus assessor expenses as required.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

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Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

Page last updated: 18 November 2019

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