Assessment Only Route

If you are currently working as an unqualified graduate teacher in a school, you may be eligible to be assessed for the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) via the Assessment Only route into teaching. This route does not include any training but constitutes only assessment against the Teacher’s Standards.

The AO route is suitable for you if:

• you have planned, taught, assessed and evaluated as an unqualified teacher in at least two schools, early years and/or further education settings. One of these schools must be a state funded, mainstream school.
• for secondary, you must also have taught across the full age range and ability in the subject you are applying for.
• you have achieved a grade 4 in GCSE English and mathematics, or a standard equivalent 
• if you intend to teach pupils aged 3 to 11, additionally you should have achieved a grade 4 in a GCSE science subject or a standard equivalent
• you have completed an undergraduate degree 
• you have worked for at least two years as an unqualified teacher 
• you have confirmation of employment from a UK school.

You will need to provide evidence that your teaching covers two or more consecutive age ranges from the following:

The Process

If you feel you are a suitable candidate, please contact us at info@pilgrimpartnership.org to arrange a meeting with the AO Programme Manager.

Application

An application form will be sent to you following your meeting if the Programme Manager agrees you are a suitable candidate.

Initial assessment

Attend an online interview with two members of the ITT team.  This triggers the 12 week window in which you must complete the route. During the interview, you will be required to show the original copies of your qualifications along with ID documents. These documents will need to be shown at your interim assessment.

In school practice

Continue to work on your portfolio of evidence, collating examples from your teaching practice. This portfolio will demonstrate your competency against The Teachers’ Standards. You may include examples of evidence from the previous two years in your portfolio. 

Interim assessment

This will take place part way through the 12 week window. A member of the ITT team will come to your school to observe you teach a lesson, look at your portfolio and verify your qualification certificates and ID documents. We will advise you if there are any gaps in your evidence that need to be addressed before the final assessment visit.  

Final assessment

This will take place towards the end of your 12 week window. Member(s) of the ITT team will visit your school to observe you teaching two lessons. This will be across two key stages in secondary and in primary it will cover a core and foundation subject within your class. We will review your final evidence portfolio and speak to a senior member of staff who has been involved in your training.

You will be informed if you are to be recommended for QTS at the end of the day. 

Confirmation of QTS

The ITT team will inform the DfE of your outcome and will confirm our decision to you in writing. 

What will it cost?

• Interim assessment – £600
• Final assessment – £2400
• Total – £3000

Please Note: It is unlikely that you will have gained sufficient experience if you have not been employed for two years as an unqualified teacher, but teaching in schools outside the UK and teaching as part of a recognised training course may be acceptable.