Program Overview
Assessment Only Route to QTS
Overview
The Assessment Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is a 12-week school-based route to QTS for unqualified teachers who are currently working in a school in England. This route is designed for employed teachers who have yet to gain a teaching qualification and have at least two years of experience of planning, teaching, and assessing learning across a minimum of two schools and two consecutive key stages.
What is the Assessment Only Route to QTS?
This route is a school-based route to Qualified Teacher Status for unqualified teachers who are currently working in a school in England. You'll need at least two years of experience of planning, teaching, and assessing learning across a minimum of two schools and two consecutive key stages.
What you'll learn
There's no formal training during the assessment only route to QTS. You'll continue your professional learning and development through reflection on your practice, supported by a school-based mentor.
You're required to have a significant teaching role in a school/setting that's prepared to support you through the assessment period.
You must be meeting the Teachers' Standards before starting the assessment period.
How will I be assessed?
With your mentor, you'll complete an initial assessment against the Teachers’ Standards to identify strengths and areas to develop. This will be used to start to create your electronic evidence portfolio, which will be formatively assessed during the assessment period.
The portfolio might include:
- Written lesson observations of your teaching (completed by expert colleagues who hold QTS).
- Professional dialogue in reviews of progress and targets.
- Witness statements (accounts of specific events and conversations which are pertinent to attainment of the Teachers' Standards).
- Assessment reports, including a final written summative report of your progress and attainment.
- Records of professional development activities.
- Subject knowledge audits.
- A final claim supported by the collection of evidence submitted in the portfolio.
Your teaching practice will be observed each week and you'll have a post-lesson observation discussion with your mentor. In these regular meetings, you'll:
- Assess and evaluate your teaching practice
- Identify strengths
- Set and review short-term targets.
You'll meet with your mentor weekly to assess the quality of your electronic evidence portfolio to ensure it contains high-quality evidence to demonstrate that you've met the Teachers’ Standards.
Towards the end of the assessment period, a university tutor will visit you to quality-assure your evidence portfolio and assess, with your mentor, how your evidence demonstrates that you've fully met the Teachers’ Standards.
Opportunities
Careers
The Assessment Only route culminates in Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). As a qualified teacher, you'll expand your employment options across the education sector, in all schools and settings. It can also enable you to apply for senior leadership roles in education.
Fees
2025 entry
- UK full time: £3,450
Additional course costs
You may need to pay additional course costs over and above your tuition fees, for example, for specialist equipment or trips and visits. Please check the course Programme Document for details of any additional costs. You can also read our Additional Course Costs Policy for further information.
Funding opportunities
Please visit our Funding pages for an overview of the funding options that may be available, including scholarships and bursaries.
Interested in applying?
What we look for in potential students
We're looking for employed teachers who have yet to gain a teaching qualification. You'll be able to demonstrate that you meet the Teachers’ Standards and have an exceptional work ethic.
Academic requirements
You’ll need a first degree granted by a UK Higher Education institution, or equivalent qualification.
If you're applying for the secondary route, your degree must be relevant to the subject you're teaching.
We only accept candidates with GCSE passes at grade 4/C or above (or recognized equivalents) in English and Mathematics.
If you're applying for the Primary and Early Years routes, you must also have a GCSE pass at grade 4/C or above (or recognized equivalent) in a Science subject.
Non-academic requirements
We'll ask your school to confirm that you've met the statutory requirements such as an enhanced DBS, Fitness to Teach and other appropriate checks, in-line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.
How do I apply?
There are two stages to complete when applying for the Assessment Only route to QTS:
- Stage 1: Eligibility check
- Stage 2: Formal application
If you would like to apply please contact the Assessment Only Team: [insert contact information]
Contact us
Admissions:
- +44 (0) [insert phone number]
- [insert email]
Assessment Only Team: [insert contact information]
Related
- Teacher Education
- Secondary Teaching
- Primary and Early Years Teaching
- Undergraduate Education courses
Key facts
- Award: Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)
- School/s: School of Education
- Course length: 12 weeks
Entry requirements
All applicants are subject to checks designed to maintain the integrity of the teaching profession. See "Interested in applying?" for more information.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This program is a school-based route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for unqualified teachers who are currently working in a school in England. It is designed for teachers who have at least two years of experience of planning, teaching and assessing learning across a minimum of two schools, and two consecutive key stages. The program is 12 weeks long and is delivered through a combination of school-based mentoring and university support.
Assessment:
The assessment for this program is based on the Teachers’ Standards. Candidates will complete an initial assessment against the Teachers’ Standards to identify strengths and areas to develop. This will be used to start to create an electronic evidence portfolio, which will be formatively assessed during the assessment period. The portfolio might include:
- Written lesson observations of teaching (completed by expert colleagues who hold QTS).
- Professional dialogue in reviews of progress and targets.
- Witness statements (accounts of specific events and conversations which are pertinent to attainment of the Teachers' Standards).
- Assessment reports, including a final written summative report of progress and attainment.
- Records of professional development activities.
- Subject knowledge audits.
- A final claim supported by the collection of evidence submitted in the portfolio. Candidates will meet with their mentor weekly to assess the quality of their electronic evidence portfolio to ensure it contains high quality evidence to demonstrate that they have met the Teachers’ Standards. Towards the end of the assessment period, a university tutor will visit to quality-assure the evidence portfolio and assess, with the mentor, how the evidence demonstrates that the candidate has fully met the Teachers’ Standards.
Careers:
Upon completion of the program, candidates will be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This will allow them to expand their employment options across the education sector, in all schools and settings. It can also enable them to apply for senior leadership roles in education.
Other:
The program is delivered by Bath Spa University, an accredited provider of Initial Teacher Education with over 75 years' experience of training teachers. The university provides university tutors who will quality-assure, moderate and support candidates in gaining their QTS certificate. The university also trains and supports mentors to meet the requirements of their role.
Bath Spa University
Overview:
Bath Spa University is a public university located in Bath, England. It is known for its focus on creative and professional subjects, offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university boasts a strong commitment to social inclusion and sustainability, reflected in its numerous awards and recognitions.
Student Life and Campus Experience:
Bath Spa University offers a vibrant campus experience with a strong sense of community. Students can enjoy access to various facilities, including modern teaching spaces, creative technical workshops, and flexible studio spaces. The university also provides opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities and events.
Key Reasons to Study There:
*
Strong focus on creative and professional subjects:
Bath Spa University offers a wide range of programs in areas such as art, design, media, music, education, and business. *Commitment to social inclusion and sustainability:
The university has been recognized for its efforts in promoting social inclusion and sustainability, making it an attractive choice for students who value these principles. *Vibrant campus life and strong sense of community:
Students can enjoy a lively campus experience with a supportive and welcoming environment. *Location in Bath:
The university is situated in the beautiful city of Bath, offering students access to a rich cultural heritage and a thriving city center.Other:
Bath Spa University has multiple campuses, including Newton Park, Locksbrook, and BSU London. The university also offers study opportunities through its UK and international partners.
Entry Requirements:
- **All applicants are subject to checks designed to maintain the integrity of the teaching profession.
- Academic requirements:
- You’ll need a first degree granted by a UK Higher Education institution, or equivalent qualification.
- We only accept candidates with GCSE passes at grade 4/C or above (or recognised equivalents) in English and Mathematics.
- If you're applying for the Primary and Early Years routes, you must also have a GCSE pass at grade 4/C or above (or recognised equivalent) in a Science subject.
- Non-academic requirements: