Do I need to have taught all key stages in my school?
No. Your assessment must consist of evidence that you have met all of the Teachers’ Standards in at least two age ranges. The possible age categories for assessment are below, with the two age ranges identified here in each case:
3-7 years (age range EYFS (3-5) and KS1 )
5-11 years (age range KS1 and KS2)
7-11 years (lower KS2 and upper KS2)
11-16 years (KS3 and KS4)
14-19 years (KS4 and KS5)
I only have experience of teaching in one school. Can I still apply?
Assessment Only entry criteria states that applicants must have experience of teaching in two settings. Candidates will need at least 20 days’ teaching experience in a second setting before they are eligible for this route. A 20 day whole class teaching experience would need to be arranged independently between schools in preparation for your assessment. This teaching experience must involve substantial teaching (ie at least 50% of timetable), not learning support. It may be undertaken as a block, or weekly over the term. A timetable and reference are required from your second school to confirm that your teaching meets the Teachers’ Standards. When making arrangements between schools, target any ‘gaps’ or limitations in your current teaching experience. For example, related to boys/girls, age range, ability range, pupils’ backgrounds, class sizes, subject & pedagogy, GCSE/BTEC requirements, school approaches and organisation etc.
What if I don’t teach a full weekly timetable?
It depends on what teaching experience you have behind you. As a general rule, you should be able to evidence experience of teaching around an 80% full-time timetable for a minimum of two years (or pro-rata equivalent). However, we will consider each applicant’s unique situation in accordance with the DfE guidance on sufficient breadth and variety of experience.
I don’t work in a mainstream school, can I still apply?
Yes. Many applicants are from the independent sector, including Prep schools, or teachers who work in Special Schools, colleges or PRUs. For all applicants in these settings consideration will be given to their teaching experience as a whole, across their two settings, to make sure that they have had the opportunity to fully demonstrate meeting all the standards across their full age and ability range. Where necessary, additional evidence of teaching may be required to provide further evidence. For example, related to boys/girls, class sizes, age ranges, full ability range, subject & pedagogy; GCSE/BTEC requirements, pupils’ backgrounds, school approaches and organisation etc.
I only teach small classes - is this a problem?
We realise that this is the teaching context for some applicants, who work with smaller class sizes. We will discuss each context individually to ensure that the eligibility requirements are met. Where necessary, additional evidence of teaching may be arranged, eg teaching larger classes, to address the full expectations of the Teachers’ Standards.
Is there any training, placements or teaching practices?
No. Assessment Only is NOT A TRAINING ROUTE. This route is for experienced unqualified teachers who already meet all requirements of the Teachers’ Standards. No additional training is provided. Please note, this means we also cannot accept evidence or experience gained as part of a teacher training route in your application or portfolio.
I am an unqualified new teacher, can my school train me for QTS itself?
If your school has appointed you as an unqualified new teacher to teach your own timetable and it supports your professional development and journey to QTS, as long as you meet the other eligibility criteria, this route would become suitable for you in due course.
This route is not suitable for trainees and it is not compatible with an in-house teacher training route, eg, similar to other teacher training routes. If you do not teach a full timetable, this should only be because of your other responsibilities in school, not because you are regarded as a trainee. Other recognised teacher training routes are suitable for trainees, but Assessment Only is only suitable for experienced teachers.
I am interested in the AO Route, but might not have enough teaching experience, when should I apply?
We are not able to consider your application until you fully meet all essential criteria. We would encourage you to discuss your ambition with your Headteacher/Principal and seek in-school support to gain the additional teaching experience you need.
I am a Teaching Assistant/HLTA and want to qualify as a teacher via the AO Route, how can I achieve this?
TAs and HLTAs who have successfully gained QTS via the AO route have been able to evidence significant experience of whole-class teaching an 80% full-time timetable for a minimum of two years (or pro-rata equivalent). Whole-class teaching involves planning, assessing and reporting, not only delivering already prepared lesson plans. If you can evidence you fully meet the entry criteria without further training, we would welcome your application.
I am a Senior Manager, Pastoral Leader, SENCO or Cover Supervisor – can I apply?
In secondary schools, assessments are made in relation to a named subject only. You must be able to provide evidence of substantial experience of teaching your named subject in two age ranges and across the ability range, teaching an 80% full-time timetable for a minimum of two years (or pro-rata equivalent). If you can evidence you fully meet the entry criteria without further training, we would welcome your application.
Do I need to be employed as a teacher at the point of application?
No, although usually applicants are already teaching in their own schools when they apply. It is not a requirement that you are currently employed in teaching at the point of application, if 1) you have recent relevant experience, 2) your evidence meets all the Teachers’ Standards and 3) you have secured a sponsoring school which will support your application. The sponsoring school must meet the requirements of the Partnership Agreement, as set out in the Partnership Agreement Handbook, provide a suitable teaching timetable and references which confirm that your teaching has been recently observed and meets the Teachers’ Standards. The University of Cumbria is not able to help with identifying or providing sponsoring schools on the Assessment Only route.
I have a third class degree, or my degree is in a different subject - can I still apply?
Yes. You do not need to have a degree in a particular subject. It is the Teachers’ Standards for QTS that specify the subject knowledge required for the award of QTS. There is no statutory requirement for primary applicants to have a degree in a national curriculum subject, nor is there a requirement for secondary applicants to have a degree in a specified subject, as long as they meet all of the standards for QTS, including those that relate to subject and curriculum knowledge. If your degree is third class it is still possible to demonstrate that you have the appropriate experience and are able to meet the Teachers’ Standards at the highest level. All candidates will be required to complete a detailed Subject Knowledge audit as part of their assessment process. This will relate to a specific subject for Secondary/Prep applicants and across the curriculum and/or EYFS for Primary applicants.
Does teaching experience gained as part of teacher training qualification count towards the eligibility criteria?
No, the route is for experienced unqualified teachers who already meet all requirements of the Teachers Standards. This requires a minimum of two years’ full-time, whole-class teaching experience or pro-rata equivalent (including evidence of planning, teaching, assessment, and reporting)
