Assessment Only route to QTS
The Assessment Only route provides a pathway for experienced but unqualified teachers to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
You will:
- Gain QTS by following a 12-week assessment route
- Broaden your prospects as a qualified teacher
If you are currently working as an unqualified graduate teacher in a school, you may be eligible for this route. This route does not include any training but constitutes assessment against the Teachers’ Standards. It is not suitable for TAs, HTLAs or cover supervisors, who should consider our one-year programmes of postgraduate teacher training.
The AO route is suitable for you if you:
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hold an honours degree, usually of at least a 2.2
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have obtained a C/4 or above in GCSE in English and mathematics (and science for primary)
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have been accountable for planning, teaching and assessment in two consecutive key stages, in at least two schools
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have a recent proven track record in teaching endorsed by school leaders
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have the full support of your employer and have confirmation of employment from a UK school
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have a current and suitable enhanced check from the Disclosure and Barring Service
The total fee is £3000. This can be paid by you or your employer and this will be discussed with you as part of your application.
If you feel you are a suitable candidate, please contact us at nttc@ccn.ac.uk to receive a handbook and application form.
The process
Once NTTC has received and reviewed your application, two NTTC staff will visit your school and observe you teach, then hold a post-lesson professional discussion which includes a formal interview. We will also discuss the requirements of the course with the appropriate people at your school. Once conditions have been met, we will confirm your assessment period. During the interview, you will be required to show original copies of your qualifications along with ID and DBS documents.
You will need the same qualifications for this route as all other ITT routes: you’ll find these here.
Throughout the assessment period you will continue to teach and work on your portfolio of evidence, collating examples from your teaching practice. You will be observed by your designated mentor or a member of the senior leadership team and have weekly mentor meetings to reflect on your practice. Your portfolio will demonstrate your competency against The Teachers’ Standards. You will be required to include examples of evidence from two consecutive key stages and your previous two years teaching in your portfolio.
This will take place at about six weeks in. A member of the NTTC team will come to your school to observe you teach a lesson, give you feedback and look at your portfolio. We will advise you if there are any gaps in your evidence that need to be addressed before the final assessment visit.
This will take place towards the end of your 12-week window. Your mentor will have completed and returned to NTTC a final summative review which will include their suggested actions for your ECT years. The NTTC staff will then visit your school to observe you teaching another lesson. We will review your lesson and final evidence portfolio as well as speak to a senior member of staff who has been involved in your training.
You will be informed if you are to be recommended for QTS at the end of the day.
Following the final assessment meeting the lead NTTC tutor will write a report to support their QTS judgement. We will confirm our decision to the Department for Education and to you in writing. You will then need to register as an ECT to complete your three-year programme of teacher training and development.