Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Assessment Only Route

Overview

The QTS Assessment Only Route is designed for graduates with 'substantial' experience of teaching in at least two schools or settings (Early Years and/or Further Education), who wish to apply for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Why apply to complete this route with us?

The Assessment Only Route allows you to be assessed for QTS in England without further training.

Entry Requirements

Those who wish to gain the Qualified Teacher Status qualification through the Assessment Only Route might include very experienced graduate teachers without QTS who have experience of teaching the National Curriculum across the required age and ability ranges in two schools/settings, and:

• are currently teaching in schools;
• are trained to teach in the further education sector, or in early years;
• have GCSE or equivalent in English and Mathematics (Secondary) at Grades 9-4 (A*-C);
• have GCSE or equivalent in English, Mathematics and Science (Primary) Grades 9-4 (A*-C);
• have a first degree and/or a Higher Degree;
• show that you can meet the Teachers' Standards for your chosen teaching specialism.

Assessment Process

If you are successful at the interview stage, a member of the University's Initial Teacher Education (ITE) staff will be assigned as your assessor.  An initial assessment visit will be planned, where you will be formally observed teaching across two Key Stages.  You will also be asked to share your emerging portfolio of evidence against the QTS Teachers' Standards. If after the visit the Initial Assessor feels that, for whatever reason, you are not ready to start the route, an action plan will be put into place in order to plan your progression onto the route at an agreed date. This will be agreed by yourself, the University and the school where you will be undertaking the three month assessment period.  If after the visit the Initial Assessor feels that you are ready to progress, a final assessment date will be agreed by all parties. This must be within the three-month timeline mentioned earlier. A complete day must be set aside for the final assessment visit for formal observations across two Key Stages, and a final assessment of your Portfolio Evidence.

Fees and Funding

The fee, which is currently £2950, must be paid by the candidate, or the supporting school. This can be paid in three instalments, or as a lump sum, but QTS will not be recommended to the TRA (Teacher Registration Agency) until the fee is paid in full to the University. The fee covers application assessment and interview, initial assessment visit, email correspondence and support, and final assessment day report and recommendation.

It should be noted that there is no Government funding to support the Assessment Only Route.

There is also a university requirement that the assessment must be undertaken in a school in England.

Please email: qtsonlyroute@chester.ac.uk for further details.