Assessment Only Route

The Assessment Only Route (AOR) is a self-funded, employment-based option for very experienced, but unqualified or overseas trained teachers.

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The Assessment Only Route (AOR) is a self-funded, employment-based option for very experienced, but unqualified or overseas trained teachers.

Assessment Only Route

It is important to state at the outset, that it is not a ‘course’ or programme of training; successful applicants will not be students of the university. The AOR is a service to schools and candidates offered by UEL.

For those who trained as teachers overseas or those who have taken on the full role of a teacher in an English school for a significant period of time but are unqualified, the AOR may be an appropriate and faster pathway to follow in order to gain QTS.

However, the AOR should not be considered a standard alternative to initial teacher training and, for many, a training programme such as PGCE or School Direct route will be the most appropriate route to gaining QTS.

Information for Applicants

Start date
Any time

UEL School
Cass School of Education and Communities

Attendance
There are no taught sessions on campus. Only occasional support sessions. Candidates will be teaching, normally full-time in a school or sixth-form college.

Learning
'On the job' whilst teaching in a supporting school.

Length
Stage 1 will take as long as necessary until all entry requirements are fulfilled. This may vary between a short time (e.g 2-3 weeks) to a much longer period.

Stage 2 lasts 12-13 weeks. Once registration is complete, the AOR must be completed in around 13 weeks by candidates who have met all the requirements and require no further formal training.

Course summary

There are two stages to the AOR process:
Stage 1 is the advisory stage, consisting of the following elements:

  • Making the application
  • Interview
  • Advisory visit by a UEL tutor to observe the candidate teach and to liaise with professional colleagues
  • Fulfilment of any pre-entry requirements

Stage 2 is the assessment stage, consisting of the following elements:

  • Registration with the NCTL
  • Approximately 12-13 weeks of preparation for QTS
  • Assessment visit to the candidate’s school to assess for QTS

Entry requirements

  • A first degree (e.g. Bachelors). For secondary teachers, this will normally be in the subject they are teaching or a closely related one.
  • GCSE grade C or higher in English Language and Mathematics; also Science for primary school candidates
  • Passes in the Professional Skills Tests for Teachers in Numeracy and Literacy (these cannot usually be taken until an application is made)
  • A marriage certificate or deed poll document will be required where any documents are in different names.
  • A passport (a requirement for overseas nationalities) or birth certificate.
  • Currently working in the full role of a teacher in a school (recommended at least 6 months contract still to run)
  • A minimum of 2 years full-time equivalent previous teaching experience (some of which may have been overseas)
     

For overseas applicants:

  • A current visa/work permit/residency permit with at least 6 months still to run recommended
  • A ‘Statement of Comparability’ from NARIC indicating the equivalence of overseas qualifications to English degrees and GCSEs
  • All documents not in English should have been officially translated
  • All documents must be originals and ‘statements of results’ can not be accepted in lieu of certificates.

Fees and Funding

Stage 1
£850

Stage 2
£1500

Each stage is charged separately in retrospect. UEL will invoice schools only so, if candidates are to pay their own fees, they will need to negotiate with their employing schools how reimbursements will be made. There are no bursaries available for the AOR.

Learning and Assessment

The AOR is not a training programme and, upon registration to the NCTL, you should require no further training.

However, following the advisory visit, you will receive a personalised training plan covering a small section of activities which may be necessary or recommended,  which should be addressed before registration can take place or which may be completed during the 12-13 week AOR period post-registration.

At the end of the AOR process, you will receive a single visit to your school for the final assessment for QTS against the Teachers' Standards. This will include observations of your teaching, discussion with your professional colleagues, the perusal of your prepared portfolio of evidence and a discussion with you.

Your Future Career

 

Upon successful completion and gaining award of QTS, you will be a qualified teacher in England and can be employed in any English state school (including academies and free schools) or independent school.

You will be required to spend an initial period of one year as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) during which, your school and/or Local Authority will ensure that you continue to meet your Teachers' Standards.

Application and Further Information

For further information

Download the UEL AOR Guide.

Email Assessment Only Route assessmentonly@uel.ac.uk

Contact: Bryce Wilby (Lead Tutor) via b.wilby@uel.ac.uk.

Application

Apply directly to UEL by downloading an application.