Assessment Only Route to QTS
A focused route to QTS for experienced teachers
ESP Education works in Initial Teacher Training partnership with the University of Sunderland to help experienced teachers in British and international schools gain Qualified Teacher Status in England without leaving their current school.
The Assessment Only Route is designed for teachers who can already demonstrate that they meet the Teachers’ Standards. There is no formal training programme: instead, your existing knowledge, experience and classroom practice are assessed over a period of 10 to 12 weeks.
Recognise your experience. Demonstrate the Standards. Gain QTS.
What is the Assessment Only Route?
The Assessment Only Route provides experienced teachers who do not already hold QTS with an opportunity to demonstrate that they meet all of the Teachers’ Standards.
Assessment takes place in your current school, so there is no requirement to travel to or study in the UK. Throughout the process, you will be supported by an experienced University assessor and a mentor within your school.
Successful candidates are recommended by the University of Sunderland to the Department for Education for the award of QTS.
This is an assessment route rather than a training programme. Applicants must therefore be able to demonstrate from the outset that they already meet the required professional standards.
Who is the programme for?
The Assessment Only Route is suitable for experienced graduate teachers who:
Have at least two years’ experience of teaching whole classes
Have held responsibility for planning, teaching and assessment
Have recent teaching experience in at least two school settings
Have taught across the required age range for their chosen phase
Already demonstrate practice consistent with the Teachers’ Standards
Are currently working in a suitable school in the UK or internationally
Wish to gain QTS without undertaking a further teacher-training programme
Candidates who require further training and supported teaching practice before they are ready to meet the Teachers’ Standards should consider the PGCE iQTS Distance Learning programme.
How the AO Route works
The Assessment Only Route normally takes between 10 and 12 weeks and is completed in your current school.
The process includes:
Initial eligibility review
The University will review your application, qualifications and teaching experience to confirm whether the Assessment Only Route is appropriate for you.
Interview and evidence review
Eligible applicants will attend an interview and present evidence demonstrating how their existing experience and practice meet the Teachers’ Standards.
School-based assessment
Once registered, you will begin a structured assessment period in your current school. You will be supported by a University assessor and a nominated in-school mentor while gathering and presenting evidence of your practice.
Final assessment
At the end of the assessment period, the University will review your evidence and teaching practice. Candidates who successfully demonstrate that they meet all of the Teachers’ Standards will be recommended for the award of QTS.
Entry requirements
Applicants must normally:
Hold a bachelor’s degree or recognised equivalent
Hold GCSE grade C/4, or equivalent, in mathematics and English language
Have an appropriate standard of spoken and written English
Have at least two years’ experience of teaching whole classes
Have recent teaching experience in at least two school settings
Have responsibility for planning, teaching and assessing pupils
Work in a school delivering the English National Curriculum or a recognised international curriculum
Meet the required safeguarding and fitness-to-teach requirements
Provide appropriate professional references
Primary applicants
Primary applicants must also:
Hold GCSE grade C/4, or equivalent, in a science subject
Have experience across at least two relevant primary key phases
Demonstrate appropriate experience across the breadth of the primary curriculum
Middle and secondary applicants
Middle and secondary applicants must have appropriate teaching experience across the age ranges and subject relevant to the phase for which they are seeking QTS.
Eligibility is considered individually by the University of Sunderland following a full review of the applicant’s qualifications, experience and current teaching responsibilities.
Support from your school
Your school plays an important role throughout the Assessment Only process.
The school will need to:
Support your application
Confirm the nature and extent of your teaching experience
Provide opportunities for you to demonstrate the Teachers’ Standards
Nominate an appropriate in-school mentor
Facilitate lesson observations and assessment activity
Provide professional references and relevant safeguarding information
The Assessment Only Route offers schools a valuable opportunity to recognise experienced colleagues, develop talent from within and retain skilled teachers by supporting them to achieve formal professional status.
Why choose ESP Education and the University of Sunderland?
Through ESP’s partnership with the University of Sunderland, experienced teachers working internationally can access a well-established and internationally accessible route to QTS.
The route offers:
Assessment within your current school
No requirement to attend University in the UK
Support from experienced assessors familiar with international education
A focused assessment period of 10 to 12 weeks
Recognition of your existing teaching experience and professional practice
A route to QTS through a Department for Education-accredited provider
Enhanced professional recognition and future career opportunities
What happens after QTS?
The Assessment Only Route leads to the award of QTS only. It does not include statutory Early Career Teacher induction.
Teachers awarded QTS may subsequently undertake statutory ECT induction when employed in an eligible school in England or a Department for Education-accredited British School Overseas.
Teachers with significant previous whole-class teaching experience may, with the support of their school, apply for a reduced induction period. Any reduction is considered individually and remains at the discretion of the Appropriate Body.
ESP Education is the Department for Education’s sole specialist Appropriate Body for ECT induction in British Schools Overseas and can support eligible schools and teachers through the next stage of their professional journey.
Take the next step towards QTS
If you are an experienced teacher who already demonstrates the Teachers’ Standards, the Assessment Only Route could provide a focused and accessible pathway to QTS while you continue working in your current school.
To discuss your eligibility and find out more about upcoming assessment intakes, contact Mark Bignell on mark@espeducation.co.uk.