Program Overview

Assessment Only Route to QTS Short course

Overview

The Assessment Only Route to QTS (AOR to QTS) is for experienced teachers who have been teaching whole classes for a minimum of two years. You need to have worked in two different schools and have significant experience of two key stages across one of the following age ranges: 3-11 (primary), 7-14 (middle) or 11-19 (secondary).

The AOR to QTS allows you to demonstrate that you already meet all of the Teachers' Standards for QTS.

The assessment period is a maximum of 12 weeks which commences after registration with Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). If you meet the eligibility criteria for AOR to QTS (see our entry requirements), we will ask you to present detailed preliminary evidence about your teaching at interview. For the final recommendation for QTS, we will re-assess your evidence and assess your teaching. This assessment will be conducted in the school at which you are working.

Typical applications to this route include people who have taught for more than two years in the independent sector or overseas. The Assessment Only Route 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).

If you are awarded QTS, the next step is to begin a period as an Early Career Teacher (ECT). This will be overseen by your host school and their ECT providing body and not the University. This includes a personalised programme of professional support and further assessment against the core professional standards for teachers normally organised by your employing school or local authority.

There is no formal teaching on the AOR to QTS course.

Why us?

• The University of Sunderland is an accredited provider for the Assessment Only Route to QTS. More details are available from the Department for Education.

Course structure

Assessment takes place in the school where you are employed. Assessment periods are for a maximum of 12 weeks. We provide an individualised assessment plan to suit your requirements which includes the recommended assessment period. If we consider that a longer period would be beneficial, we will advise you to consider applying for one of our Initial Teacher Training courses.

There is no taught element on this route so you do not need to attend university. You will be expected to attend an interview, which is normally held on campus.

The assessment for QTS will take place at the school where you are teaching at the time of final assessment.

Entry requirements

We require applicants to have the following:

• We invite potential candidates to an interview where you present a portfolio of initial evidence that shows clear progress towards meeting the QTS standards.
• If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Fees and finance

The total fee for this course is:

• £2,500 (£500 for the interview and £2,000 for the final assessment) plus assessor expenses as required.

Meet the team — Assessment Only Route to QTS

• Ian Elliott, Senior Lecturer in Education
• Greg Larmouth, Lecturer in International Initial Teacher Training (IITT)
• Dionne Ross, International Teacher Development Lead
• Jemma Bell, Senior Lecturer International Initial Teacher Training, Programme Leader PGCE iQTS Secondary Education

Related courses

• PGCE Education (DL)