Assessment Only (AO) route to Qualified Teacher Status

Overview

This is a self-funded option for very experienced graduate teachers who are likely to have spent more than two years in a teaching role. This experience can be gained in an employed or voluntary capacity as long as you are meeting the standards as a teacher, or as someone supporting a teacher.

Entry Requirements

In order to qualify for this route, you must:

provide substantial, verifiable evidence of experience of at least two years as a class teacher across two age ranges, as defined in the Teachers' standards and have the potential to meet the Teachers' standards in one term or less;
primary applicants must demonstrate sound subject knowledge for teaching across the entire primary curriculum in at least two consecutive age ranges;
secondary applicants must demonstrate sound subject knowledge for teaching in one National Curriculum subject, or a subject that is examined externally across at least two consecutive age ranges;
have evidence of competent teaching in at least two different schools. If you have only taught in your employing school, you will need a placement of at least three weeks duration, to demonstrate that you have taught and met the Teachers' standards in a contrasting setting;
hold a degree of a UK higher education institution or equivalent qualification. For secondary applicants the degree content must be at least 50% of the specialist subject. Assessment of secondary applicants is in one subject and special needs is not included;
have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade C in GCSE English and mathematics and, for primary applicants, science. We offer equivalency tests for applicants without GCSEs;
attend interview with UEL to ensure that you have the capability to meet the required Standards by the end of your training and that you possess the appropriate personal and intellectual qualities to be teachers;
demonstrate that you can read effectively, and are able to communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written Standard English;
meet the Secretary of State's requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach;
have been subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Scheck (formerly CRB) and/or any other appropriate background checks;
Applicants who have withdrawn from, failed or been turned down for other training routes to QTS will not normally be considered.

Making an application

Please email secondary@uel.ac.uk for an application form. Alternatively you can download the application form by following this link - AO Application Form‌. Before completing an application form you need to secure a position at a school which is prepared to support you on the Assessment Only route. The head teacher’s recommendation will act as the first reference and if appropriate we would also contact the second referee. The relevant sections of this form should be completed by the applicant and the school and returned to UEL.

Costs

The Assessment Only route to QTS is a two stage process with a fee for each stage. Fees are generally invoiced to the school who is supporting you.

Stage 1 (Acceptance Fee) £1200
In school pre-assessment to include interview; analysis of training needs; observation of teaching; detailed scrutiny of available evidence; training plan. At the end of this stage you will be advised of your suitability to progress to Stage 2 assessment or alternative routes to QTS if appropriate.

Stage 2 (Assessment Fee) £700
One day assessment against the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status. This will include scrutiny of your Portfolio of Evidence and an interview to confirm achievement of the standards. In addition you will be observed teaching to ensure breadth and depth of teaching experience. In order to be recommended for QTS, you must pass the Skills Tests, normally prior to the assessment visit.