The Mid Somerset ConsortiumAssessment Only (AO) Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for Secondary Teachers
The Assessment Only (AO) route does not require a period of training and is ideal for experienced graduate teachers from the UK or overseas who are currently teaching in a school but do not have QTS. (N.B. Overseas Trained Teachers who require rapid assessment or have gone through the four-year rule are also eligible to apply but would not be exempt from induction.) This route is aimed at experienced graduate teachers who have taught in at least two schools or colleges. The minimum length of time that teachers have to have taught for is two years (or part time equivalent thereof). The teachers have to have taught over at least two consecutive age ranges within the 11-18 age range. E.g. KS3 and 4 or KS4 & 5.
Please be aware, we are based in Street, in the heart of Somerset, your location will be taken into account, your school must be accessible from Somerset (a reasonable distance and travelling time).
The information below is designed to provide some information on how to apply, the selection and assessment requirements and the fees.
If you think you are suitable for the AO route and would like to apply please read all of the information on this page carefully and then complete the Assessment Only Criteria Questionnaire which can be found here.
" I would highly recommend the MSC for their efficiency and accuracy. I feel equipped for my future in teaching."
Edri, 2013 MSC AO trainee
Introduction and Overview
Assessment Only (AO) Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for Secondary Teachers
The Assessment Only (AO) route does not require a period of training and is ideal for experienced graduate teachers from the UK or overseas who have taught in a school but do not currently have QTS. This route is aimed at experienced graduate teachers who have taught in at least two schools or colleges for a minimum of two years.
The information below is designed to provide some information on how to apply, the selection and assessment requirements and the fees.
Eligibility and selection for the MSC Assessment Only route
In order to be considered for this route the applicant must fulfil the following criteria.
- Eligibility requirements:
Applicants
a) Must hold a UK first degree (2.2 or above) or equivalent qualification (NARIC checked in the case of overseas trained teachers);
b) are required to have 50% of the subject they wish to teach in their degree;
c) Must have achieved a standard equivalent to a Grade C in the GCSE examinations in English and mathematics (NARIC checked in the case of overseas trained teachers). Please note that qualifications in Adult Numeracy and Adult Literacy are not regarded as equivalent to GCSE;
d) Must have passed the Maths and English professional skills tests for ITT (this can be done during the MSC’s AO process but must be completed before the MSC can register applicants with the NCTL)
e) Must have been subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure check and satisfy the Secretary of State’s requirements for health and physical capacity to teach requirement.
f) Must be able to demonstrate that they can meet all of the Teachers’ Standards (2012) within the 11-16, 11-18 or 14-19 age phase without the need for any further training.
g) Must be working in a UK School, who are willing to support the training programme. Unlike our other routes to QTS, we do not match AO candidates to schools. AO candidates should apply with a school confirmed.
Suitability requirements
Applicants must
a) Be currently teaching in a suitable educational setting in England (see below).
b) Be able to demonstrate that they have at least two years full time (or part time equivalent) classroom experience in teaching in the English curriculum in one or more of the following settings
- A maintained school
- A non-maintained special school
- An Academy
- A City Technology College
- A City for the Technology of the Arts
- An independent school
c) Produce evidence of that they can meet the Teachers’ Standards (2012) for classes across two consecutive age ranges (KS3/KS4, KS4/KS5 or KS3/KS4/KS5). KS3 and/or KS4 classes must customarily not have fewer than twenty learners.
d) Have taught in a second school for a minimum of 4 consecutive weeks before the candidate can be registered with the NCTL. For applicants working in the independent sector the second school must be a mainstream, maintained school. Applicants working in specialist settings e.g. a special school, must have a second school teaching experience for at least 12 weeks in a mainstream setting. Applicants do not have to complete the second school placement before applying to the MSC but must have completed it before Stage 3 of the MSC’s AO process. Candidates are registered with the NCTL after stage 3.
The overall fee for the Assessment Only route is £2500.
Please note: any distance further than 20 miles from the MSC centre, will incur a 40p per mile additional surcharge.
|
Activity |
Fee |
Notes |
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Stage 1: Application |
£250 Non refundable |
Purpose Verification of eligibility and suitability for Assessment Only route to QTS Procedure Candidates will send copies of the following documents to the MSC with the application form.
Outcome A decision on suitability of candidates to proceed with the Assessment Only route through to QTS. After candidates’ successful applications, the MSC will
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Stage 2: Initial assessment at MSC office
Half day evidence scrutiny and review against the Teachers’ Standards
Induction on MSC documentation and procedures (if required)
Fee if candidate is found suitable for progression on AO route £2,250 |
£2,250 |
Purpose The meeting with the partnership manager will
The candidates must bring the following original documents
The candidates must also bring
The candidates must bring all recent lesson observations and appraisal documentation. There should be no fewer than 10 recent lesson observations which identify specifically strengths and areas for development referenced to the Teachers’ Standards.
Outcomes
The candidates will be provided with
The candidates must demonstrate their potential ability to meet all the teachers’ standards without the need for any further training. Estimated time frame agreed for review of candidates’ progress. |
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Stage 3: Pre-assessment check |
This will be a half day visit to school – candidates need to have action points from Stage 2. Purpose
During the visit
Outcomes
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Stage 4: Final assessment |
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Prior to final assessment It is employing schools’ responsibility to assess candidates’ practice against the Teachers Standards. The MSC will verify the schools’ judgements. The supervisors will need to assess the candidates against the Teachers’ Standards on the MSC’s final assessment report proforma (pages 41-53). These reports must be emailed to the MSC at least 5 working days before the dates of the final assessment. Failure to do this could result in the postponement of final assessments. Purpose of final assessment
During the visit
Outcomes
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Stage 5: Award of QTS |
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Purpose
Process
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