QTS Application

Great opportunities start with QTS!

WHAT IS THE QTS PROCESS?

QUALIFICATIONS

Did you complete all your education in the UK? If you did, it is a pretty easy process. If not, you need to use ENIC to compare your current qualifications against those required:

  • Maths and English Language GCSE (+science for Primary)
  • Degree equivalent to 300 points

COMPLETE THE FORMS

Once you have compiled the correct documents, you can start to apply. Ensure all documents have been scanned properly and any non-English documents are officially translated. For any sections you are unsure about leaving blank, come back to them after consulting with TES. GUIDE LINK

SPEAK WITH TES 

At this point, you should have all your paperwork and mentor in place. If any additional steps are required before beginning, they will be minor. A timetable will be agreed upon, and the start date for the 12w assessment will be confirmed. The Pathway Tutor (PT) will be assigned to you. 

COMPILING EVIDENCE

Here is where the real work starts. Your in-school mentor and PT will begin to advise you on strengthening the evidence. The digital portfolio will be the basis of everything you do. In-person and recorded observations will be submitted to meet the UK-teaching standards. 

FINAL SIGN OFF

As the 12w period ends, the portfolio will be assessed a final time. TES will then do an audit against the DFE’s criteria, and your final fees will be paid to TES. Compliance documents and files are checked against the requirements. An assessor is assigned and gives the green light

ASSESSMENT

The final QTS assessment is where you get to talk about your experience. You will be fully conversant in all the teaching standards and be confident to talk about them and how they relate to becoming an outstanding teacher in the future. 

Popular Questions Answered

What are the upcoming start dates?

7th November 2022
5th December 2022 
9th January 2023
6th February 2023
6th March 2023
3rd April 2023
1st May 2023
5th June 2023
3rd July 2023
4th September 2023

N.B. Start dates are rolling. You can start any day of any month as soon as you have completed the application process and provided evidence that you comply with the course eligibility requirements.


Do I need to complete my GCSEs before starting QTS?

Before starting the QTS course, you must meet the route’s eligibility criteria. You need to check your qualifications against the UK’s GCSEs using ENIC. If you don’t meet the level, TES can help organise an equivalent test which you can sit to reach these standards. GUIDE


Do I have to teach in a British school to do my QTS?

The ideal is to be teaching in a British Curriculum school. However, we would consider the prior experience of working in schools with other international curriculums if they can be matched to the British curriculum.
Examples of the US and Canadian curriculums often can. However, to complete the qualification, you must be in a British Curriculum School. Still, we would consider the other international curriculum school experience when making up your two years/2 school experience.


Getting my police check and school references

You can organise the police check through your school. The references must follow a specific format and include the correct details. GUIDE


Do you have a checklist I can work through?

Please use the following link to the AO candidate audit, which will help you decide if you meet the AO criteria before applying: GUIDE


My school does not have a QTS holder. Is there an alternative if they are suitably qualified/experienced? 

As you do not have anyone in school with UK QTS to act as a mentor, we would need to speak to one of your school leaders who could act as your mentor to check their teaching experience and understanding of the UK curriculum and the UK Teachers’ Standards. Subject to us being satisfied by this, there would not seem to be any reason you would not be successful in your application for the route as long as you met the remaining eligibility requirements of the course. 


How much do I need to be teaching every week?

You must have been teaching at least a 50% teaching timetable in any given year. Therefore, if the school had a 25-period week, you would have to teach at least 13 periods per week. It is worth noting that the UK Teacher’s Regulation Authority defines teaching as the sole responsibility for planning, teaching and assessing pupil progress. This would need to be evidenced in your testimonials across a minimum of 2 schools/2 years in the age range/subject you wanted to apply for QTS.


Can we do QTS assessment only through TES if we’ve never worked in the UK?

Yes, the system is identical to completion in the UK. This would need to be evidenced in your testimonials across a minimum of 2 schools/2 years in the age range/subject you wanted to apply for QTS.


It’s your decision
when to succeed

Investing in your future has never been easier. The QTS was developed for those looking to take the next step in their career. A fully online programme created for busy teachers to improve the quality of their instruction and develop their teaching in an international context. 


ipgce

Other Questions Answered

I’m trying to explain writing a reference/testimony to my principal. Is there a guide on what needs to be included?

You must complete the TES Testimonial template for each previous school you have worked at, plus your current school to cover a minimum of two years and two schools, which is the minimum, to be eligible for the course. Please use this link to access the template. The sections covering age range and subjects taught, description of teaching undertaken, description of the quality of education and whether you are meeting part 2 of the Teachers’ Standards need to have as much detail as possible so we can assess your application effectively. TEMPLATE


For the Primary requirement of two different key stages, does it have to be full time or could it be a placement in a class teaching one scheme of work/unit, while the majority of the experience is with a different key stage? 

You have to evidence teaching in two Key Stages. Your experience appears to be largely in Year 6 (Upper KS2). Therefore, you would need evidence in a second school or teaching in Lower KS2 (years 3 or 4) if you wanted QTS in 7-11. However, if you wished to have 5-11 QTS, it would need to be in years 1 and 2. That experience must be in a different school to your current school. The minimum length of the experience must be 20 days/ 4 school weeks. Any placements as part of your PGCE in years 1-4 would not count as they were part of an ITT course which the Teachers’ Regulation Authority does not accept. From what you said, you will need to complete a 20-day second school experience in a different school in either year 1, 2, 3 or 4 and secure a testimonial on a TES template to prove this before you can start the AO course.


Is this QTS recognised in the UK as preparation for an ECT/NQT?
We were planning to repatriate and look for September jobs.

There is only one QTS qualification, although there are many routes to gain it. Like all others, the TES AO route to QTS enables you to begin the ECT programme (which has replaced the NQT programme) for newly qualified teachers. The ECT programme can be completed whilst teaching internationally so you would not have to return to the UK to complete this. Also, depending on your previous teaching experience, you may be eligible for a reduced ECT programme on achieving QTS. Again this is a course TES provides and offers once you have QTS. You also don’t need to do the ECT and can still retain QTS for life. 


What support is required from my school?

They need to support you fully during the 12-week assessment period. Your school also need to give you and your mentor enough time to complete the observations and provide critical feedback to help you improve. The support form needs to be completed before beginning the QTS. SUPPORT FORM


After the 12-week assessment period, you ‘will ask us to present preliminary evidence at the interview, and we will reassess your evidence at the interview’.

Before starting the 12-week assessment period, you must meet the route’s eligibility criteria. Once you have done that, you will be enrolled. On enrollment, you are assigned a TES Pathway Tutor (PT) to support you through the first six weeks of the course. You will write eight justifications to show how you meet the 8 Teacher’s Standards. STANDARDS DOCUMENT


What does the interview entail? What type of questions will be asked? Do we need to prepare in advance?
What evidence will be assessed at the interview? Will the interview be online or face-to-face?


You will also be required to have 6 lesson observations conducted by your in-school mentor and three observations by expert/ experienced colleagues. At the end of this period, your PT will conduct an online or face-to-face visit, which includes a joint lesson observation with your online mentor, a professional discussion with you, your mentor and school leaders around the 8 Teachers’ Standards and Part 2 of the Standards. If everything is in order, the PT completes a report and recommends you for final assessment. At this point, an assessor will contact you to complete your final assessment. STANDARDS DOCUMENT

This involves a face-to-face or online visit and two independent observations (Primary – core and foundation, Secondary – 11-14 and 14-16 or 14-16 and 16-19). This will be supplemented by professional discussions/interviews to ask questions about the 8 Teachers’ Standards and Part 2 of the standards specifically to address any gaps or development areas in the evidence you have provided.

At the end of this visit, the assessor will recommend QTS if they are satisfied you meet the standards. The report is then passed to the monthly moderation board, and QTS is awarded within a month of the assessment visit.


What are the in-school mentors responsible for?

 Mentors will have to observe you six times over the first six weeks of your enrolment and complete the TES Lesson Observation template to upload to your TES Learn Portal. They need to meet you weekly to provide feedback on the lesson and support you in drafting your eight justification statements against the 8 Teachers’ Standards.

These meetings do not need to be formally minuted and any documentation submitted. Finally, during their visits, they will be required to complete a testimonial and spend 30 minutes having a professional discussion with their PT and assessor, either face-to-face or online.


I have never taught in the UK. Is this a problem?

Not an issue. The ideal is to be teaching in a British Curriculum school. However, we would consider the prior experience of working in schools with other international curriculums if they can be matched to the British curriculum. Your examples of the US and Canadian curriculums often can.

However, to complete the qualification, you must be in a British Curriculum School. Still, we would consider the other international curriculum school experience when making up your two years/2 school experience.


I have 15 years of teaching experience in South African schools and now in an international school in China in English Literature and Language. My current school teaches both US & UK curricula. I answered YES to all of the criteria – my only concern is that there is no one in my current school with QTS. My school leaders would be happy to act as a mentor – would this be workable?

It sounds like you have significant experience and meet all the course requirements besides having a UK QTS. As such, we would need to speak to one of your school leaders who was going to be your mentor to check their teaching experience and understanding of the UK curriculum and the UK Teachers’ Standards. Subject to us being satisfied by this, there would not seem to be any reason why you would not be successful in your application for the route, and I would encourage you to apply.


 I am from South Africa and have 15 years of teaching experience and three years of the international primary school experience. I nearly finished with PGCE- The schools I taught at first school American and IB combined, Second school Cambridge and Last school, where I am now employed in IB. Would I qualify?

Your teaching experience across two schools and well over two years would meet that part of the course requirements as all appear to be in qualifying British Curriculum Schools. Therefore, as long as you could provide evidence of meeting the other course requirements, it would appear that you were eligible and could start your application.

Please note, you would require a UK Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (ENIC statement of comparability if your degree was taken outside the UK). A PGCE does not meet the entry criteria. 


I have over ten years of experience in more than two UK schools. However, I have a D-grade in English language but C’s in Science and Maths. Can I apply for QTS?

Based on the experience you outline you would meet the 2 years/ 2 schools requirements as long as you could get testimonials on TES templates from your previous employers. In terms of your GCSEs, your Cs in Maths and Science would be accepted with a certificate, if you do not have them, you will need to contact your exam board for a replacement.
The D in GCSE English language would not be accepted nor the C in literature, but you could take a TES equivalent test which can be turned around in about 2 weeks for a nominal fee. As long as you met the other criteria, there would not appear to be any barriers to your application.

However, I would not apply until you have your testimonials, GCSE certificates, equivalency certificate and degree certificate in place/to hand, as using without these will slow the application process down significantly. It is far better to apply when you have everything to hand.


The two schools’ experience has to be in the same teaching subject? My current school: economics IGCSE and Alevel. Previous school: taught IELTS/English language high school

This would be an acceptable experience, and if this has been for two years or more even better. Unfortunately, this would not count towards your experience as it has to be in the same subject and age range you are applying for QTS. Therefore, if your current Economics teaching in the 14-19 age range is over two years, you would only need 20 days teaching 14-19 economics to meet the AO course eligibility criteria for two years and two schools as long as you met all the other requirements.


What are the TRN, TRA and ECT?

Upon gaining QTS, Early Career Teachers (ECTs) will now have to undertake a period of Induction lasting two academic years (full-time)

Teaching Regulation Agency are the people who issue the TRN (teacher registration number) once you get QTS.


My school teaches AP/common core curriculum, and I teach MFL. I can have a mentor with a QTS (also MFL), but my previous school had a British curriculum. Can I access QTS?

If you have taught in a British curriculum school for 2+ years and can gain a testimonial to evidence this and map your current school curriculum to the British curriculum, you would be eligible for the route. Having a mentor with QTS is a positive. You would need to be able to show in your written justifications that you had a clear understanding of your chosen MFL subject in the age range you want QTS in, and that could only be 11-16 or 14-19, showing knowledge of 11-14 and 14-16 GCSE/IB or 14-16 GCSE/IB and 16-19 A Level.

If you are successful in your application, you will gain guidance from your TES PT on how to write your justifications, and this is where you will benefit from a mentor with QTS who should be able to provide in-school support with these.


Can I get QTS even though I’m teaching in a local (bilingual) school to Chinese students?

Possibly, but it depends on what curriculum you are teaching and what subject you hope to gain QTS in. Without further information, it isn’t easy to give any concrete guidance. 


I taught IGCSE and A Levels ICT & CS for 4.5 years before joining my current school, and currently, I am teaching AP and Common Core. Most of the leaders here are American-licensed teachers. Will they be able to be my supervisor?
I have a PGCEi. Will that be counted at any step?

You have taught in a British curriculum school for 2+ years, and it appears you can gain a testimonial to prove this. If you can map your current school curriculum to the British curriculum and provide a testimonial, you will likely be eligible for the route. 

We would need to speak to one of your school leaders, who was going to be your mentor, to check their teaching experience and understanding of the UK curriculum and the UK Teachers’ Standards. Subject to us being satisfied by this, we would be happy for them to support you.

The PGCEi from Nottingham would not support your application. Entry requirements are a UK Bachelors Degree or equivalent and GCSE English, Maths and Science if wanting Primary QTS or equivalent supported by an ENIC statement of comparability. If you meet all other requirements and can provide the above information, you would be advised to apply.


What if someone is currently teaching an American AP curriculum but has over two years of teaching a British curriculum in the past? What if teaching an American AP curriculum but have not conducted a British curriculum in the past?

This person would likely be eligible if they can provide a testimonial to evidence of 2+ years teaching the British curriculum and map their current curriculum to the British curriculum. They would also have to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of teaching the British curriculum in their justifications. If you cannot evidence teaching at least 2+ years in a British curriculum school, you would not be eligible for the AO route to QTS. 


During the QTS course, will we be required to prepare a file containing evidence against the teaching standards? If so, will we get guidance on how to prepare it?

You will not be asked to prepare any file containing any evidence. You will be asked to write eight justifications to prove that you meet the 8 Teachers’ Standards and will be provided with guidance once you have completed the application process and are enrolled. You will also gain advice from your TES Pathway Tutor, who will be assigned once registered.


Is AOR a course that will prepare us for the QTS process, or is it an evaluation process that will only highlight what/where we lack?

It is neither. The AO route lasts 12 weeks from the point of enrolment, the point at which you have proved you meet the eligibility criteria through the application process. 

On enrollment, you are assigned a TES Pathway Tutor (PT) to support you through the first six weeks of the course. You will write eight justifications to show how you meet the 8 Teacher’s Standards. 

You will also be required to have 6 lesson observations conducted by your in-school mentor and three observations by expert/experienced colleagues. At the end of this period, your PT will conduct an online or face-to-face visit, which includes a joint lesson observation with your online mentor, a professional discussion with you, your mentor and school leaders around the 8 Teachers’ Standards and Part 2 of the Standards. If everything is in order, the PT completes a report and recommends you for final assessment. 

At this point, an assessor will contact you to complete your final assessment within 6 weeks. This involves a face-to-face or online visit and two independent observations (Primary – core and foundation, Secondary – 11-14 and 14-16 or 14-16 and 16-19). This will be supplemented by professional discussions/interviews to ask questions about the 8 Teachers’ Standards and Part 2 of the standards specifically to address any gaps or development areas in the evidence you have provided. At the end of this visit, the assessor will recommend QTS if they are satisfied you meet the standards. The report is then passed to the monthly moderation board, and QTS is awarded within a month of the assessment visit. 


Need to find out more? Click Here
To find out about the courses we have on offer: Click Here
Join the Course: Click Here
Scroll to Top