Assessment Only (AO) Route to QTS
The Assessment Only (AO) Route to QTS is a 12 week programme for experienced teachers to demonstrate that they already meet all the Standards for QTS without the need for any further training. Teachers need to present detailed evidence and their teaching is assessed in a school by an accredited and approved provider.
What is QTS and how can I get it?
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is the UK professional accreditation for teaching. It is a requirement for teachers in maintained schools in the UK and in an increasing number of British international schools. The Assessment Only (AO) Route enables experienced teachers with a degree to demonstrate that they already meet all of the Teachers’ Standards, resulting in the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) without the need for any further training in the UK.
The AO Route is primarily designed for graduates who have a wealth of prior teaching experience but do not carry QTS. Once awarded QTS, teachers in BSO schools will be eligible to register to complete a fast-track ECF-based ECT Induction (formerly known as NQT Induction).
AO Route to QTS Eligibility
There is an expectation that in order to qualify, teachers will have experience of teaching in 2 different schools and across the age range for which they are applying to be assessed, with classes not customarily fewer than 15 students.
Primary candidates will be expected to teach the full range of National Curriculum subjects across these ages and candidates should have taught a range of abilities.
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 you must be at a school that runs the English National Curriculum, or a school that runs a recognised international curriculum (such as IB, IPC, Cambridge, etc).
Entry requirements for AO Route to QTS
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 plus full proficiency in English language.
Recent significant experience of teaching in at least two schools across two key stages in your chosen age range: either 3-11 (primary), 7-14 (middle), or 11-19 (secondary)
Employment in an English National Curriculum school or a school that runs a recognised international curricula (IB, IPC, Cambridge, etc).
International equivalents of Enhanced DBS Check and Fitness-To-Teach approval.
References from the Principals of the schools in which you have gained your experience.
For more information on the AO Route to QTS, registration dates and costs please contact us on info@espeducation.co.uk