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Qualified Teacher Status - Assessment Only (Primary and Secondary)

Learn about the course below
Start
Flexible
Duration
Usually 12 weeks
Attendance
Full-time
Fees
£2,500 (UK) *

The Assessment Only (AO) route is a route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) that does not include a period of training.

Why gain Qualified Teacher Status through- Assessment Only (Primary and Secondary) at Middlesex University?

This programme is suitable for experienced graduate practitioners from UK or overseas who have taught in at least two schools in the UK but do not have QTS. Candidates will need to demonstrate that they are able to meet all the standards for QTS without the need for further training.

Once accepted, you should expect to be recommended for QTS within 12 weeks.

For more information about the Assessment Only route to QTS, please visit the Department of Education website.

What happens on the Qualified Teacher Status - Assessment Only (Primary and Secondary) programme?

This is not a training programme. Instead, it is a selection and assessment process.

However, candidates who are seeking an academic award to supplement QTS can be considered for enrolment on the PG Cert Teaching  programme. Completion of the Assessment Only process meets the requirements for module EDG3001 and bespoke arrangements can be considered and agreed for the remaining PG Cert modules. Candidates who are interested in exploring this option should express an interest when applying. Additional fees are incurred if candidates wish to pursue this additional option.

Following receipt of a complete and suitable application the process is as follows:

  • Stage One: Selection

    • Part one: Interview to verify eligibility

      You will attend an interview on campus with a teaching training tutor and your qualifications, experience and employment status will be checked and confirmed. The entry requirements will also be checked and you will be advised about preparing for Part Two of the selection process.

    • Part two: Assessment and Approval

      Part Two of the Selection process will consist of a formative assessment, suitability check and development planning. This is carried out by a University tutor and school representative(s) in the school setting who will confirm your evidence claim, understanding and experience, and establish your suitability for this route. It will include lesson observations and you will be expected to communicate in Standard English.

      Where sufficient evidence is identified, you will be approved for assessment and the tutor will support you in preparing a development plan. This will identify any weaknesses and gaps in evidence and set targets for you, which may include elements of training/professional development, and a time frame in which to qualify.

      You must provide proof of successful completion of the QTS skills tests. If you fail the tests on three occasions, you will not be able to complete Stage 2 and will not be eligible for this QTS Assessment Only programme.

  • Stage Two: Assessment

    • Part one: Initial Assessment

      This will include a summative interview and observation, carried out by the teacher training tutor, shortly before final assessment and moderation, in order to confirm that targets have been met and the scope of evidence collected is sufficient. The tutor will provide written feedback on performance and make an assessment judgement about QTS.

      Initial assessments can be arranged after six weeks of the assessed period and before final assessment/moderation in week 12. This allows you time to present supplementary evidence at the final assessment stage if required.

    • Part two: Final Assessment / Moderation

      This stage will include interviews, lesson observation(s) and scrutiny of the portfolio of evidence. It will be carried out by a different assessor who will seek to confirm and moderate assessment judgements.

You will be approved for assessment by an experienced Initial Teacher Training (ITT) tutor who aims to ensure that you are fully conversant with the Teachers Standards and requirements for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

The supporting school will need to provide a specialist mentor who has been trained by an ITT provider. The mentor will meet regularly with you, provide guidance and support, regularly observes you as you teach, and provide feedback which addresses the Teacher's Standards.

When you have been judged to pass and meet the QTS Standards, we will notify the DfE, and QTS will be awarded.

All candidates who are assessed and recommended for QTS become Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs). Information about statutory arrangements for the induction of NQTs can be found online.

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Role of the candidate's school

It is important that the supporting school, is committed to the candidate undertaking this route and the candidate must seek the permission of the head teacher to support the application.

Having the school's commitment to provide a school-based mentor who has undergone ITT mentor training will also be a condition of acceptance on to the route. The role of the mentor is to support and plan the assessment focus and provide written feedback following regular observations (six to eight lesson observations, which demonstrate that the candidate is at least meeting the Teachers' Standards) and to advise and support the candidate when he/she is gathering evidence. The school-based mentor will also be expected to meet the candidate weekly to support the candidate in addressing any professional development targets established at the selection stage, including portfolio development.

School representatives (e.g. mentor and/or candidate's line manager) will participate in all stages of the process and be available for joint lesson observation, feedback and interview when the University ITT tutor visits.

All schools will be asked to sign the partnership agreement, which is drawn from elements of our existing ITT partnership agreements.


We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.

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