Fitness to teach assessment

It is a statutory requirement under The Education Act (2002) for the health of all applicants to teaching courses to be assessed by training providers. The standards used to assess against are specified in The Education (Health Standards) (England) Regulations 2003 and the current Initial teacher training (ITT): criteria and supporting advice.

The aim of the fitness to teach requirements is to ensure that a future teacher has both the physical and mental fitness to perform their duties without putting children and young people at risk. However, there is also a duty on the University of Reading to ensure that health and safety or child protection requirements do not unlawfully discriminate against a disabled student (Equality Act 2010). People with disabilities or chronic illnesses may have the capacity to train to teach, just as those without disabilities or medical conditions may be unsuitable to train to teach.

Information from your health assessment relating to recommended adjustments will be carefully assessed to determine whether they are reasonable and feasible within the academic and professional requirements of the teacher training programme, and the University will implement and support those adjustments that are considered reasonable.

Fitness to teach checks are the responsibility of the University for all undergraduate and postgraduate early years, primary, and secondary teacher trainees (including trainees recruited by our Lead Partner Schools). Cordell Health Ltd undertakes the screening process for physical and mental fitness to teach on behalf of the University. 

How do I apply for my fitness to teach assessment?


Step 1:

  • You will need to make the payment for your fitness to teach assessment on the University’s online store. An email containing further information on how to do this will be sent to candidates that have accepted an offer from April onwards, as the fitness to teach assessment should not be carried out more than 6 months before your course starts.
  • The cost of the screening is currently £43.00.

Step 2:

  • On receipt of your payment, we will pass your contact details (email, contact address, and telephone number) to Cordell Health, which is the company that carries out the fitness to teach screening process on behalf of the University. Within the next 7 working days, you should receive an email from JENI@cordellhealth.co.uk with a link to access a pre-placement questionnaire. Once you have received the link, please complete the questionnaire as soon as possible.
  • To ensure you receive the link to the pre-placement questionnaire, please check your junk or spam folder just in case the email is redirected there.

Failure to disclose information

Please be aware that failure to disclose a condition which affects the fitness to teach assessment or giving false information, including appropriate information about health/medical problems which arise during training, may lead to a trainee being required to leave the course.

What happens once I have completed the pre-placement questionnaire?

  • Cordell Health will review your questionnaire and, once the review is complete, they will send you a certificate by email confirming the outcome of your fitness to teach assessment.
  • Cordell Health may need to contact you to request further information and/or arrange a follow-up telephone call. You may also be invited to attend an online or in-person assessment with a Specialist Occupational Health Practitioner, but this will only be necessary in a small number of cases.
  • If Cordell Health contact you to request further information, please respond to them as quickly as possible. You will not be able to enrol for your course in September unless your assessment has been completed and the outcome confirms your fitness to teach.

Outcome of your fitness to teach assessment

The outcome of your assessment will be one of three categories:

Fit for placement and study:

Applicants who are in good health and do not have any health conditions likely to affect their ability to meet the academic and professional requirements of the teacher training programme, and do not require adjustments or additional support.

Fit for placement and study with adjustments:

Applicants who have a physical or mental health condition, disability, or other support need that may impact on their ability to meet the academic or professional requirements of the teacher training programme and would require adjustments and additional support.  Recommended adjustments will be assessed by the Institute of Education at the University of Reading to determine whether they are reasonable, proportionate, and feasible within the academic and professional requirements of the programme and the placement setting. Where adjustments are deemed reasonable, the University will work with the trainee and placement providers to implement appropriate support.

With your consent, Cordell Health will share relevant information with appropriate University staff so that any necessary support arrangements can be considered and, if reasonable and feasible, put in place to assist you in successfully completing your teacher training programme.

 Not fit for placement and study:

Applicants whose health condition is considered incompatible with the safe and effective fulfilment of the academic and professional requirements of the teaching profession. Applicants will not normally be placed in this category unless a physical or mental health condition is likely to have a significant adverse impact on their ability to undertake teaching duties safely and effectively, or where there may be a substantial risk to the health, safety, or welfare of pupils or others.

If you are assessed as not fit for placement and study, the University will be unable to confirm your place on the programme. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all trainees are able to meet the professional standards required of teachers and to safeguard the health, safety, and wellbeing of pupils.

 

If you are unhappy with the outcome of your fitness to teach assessment, please direct your concerns to Cordell Health in the first instance as they will hold the health/medical information that informed the decision.  

Who will have access to my pre-placement questionnaire and health/medical information?

  • The Admissions Team at the University will be able to track the progress of your assessment by securely accessing Cordell Health's online system, and the team will also receive a copy of the certificate that is sent to you confirming the outcome of your assessment. However, the University will not have access to the health/medical information that you provide on your pre-placement questionnaire.
  • If the outcome of your assessment is 'Fit for placement and study with adjustments', Cordell Health will ask for your permission to securely share the details of your condition(s) with relevant staff at the University such as your Programme Tutor, the University Disability Advisory Service, and Placement Services.
  • For full details of how the University handles your personal data, including data sharing and your rights under data protection legislation, please read our Privacy Notice.
  • Cordell Health will also give you further information on how they store and process your data as part of the assessment process. 

Enrolled trainees

Once enrolled for your teacher training course, it is your responsibility to inform your tutor immediately of any change to your health which is likely to impact upon your fitness to teach status. You should contact your Personal Tutor or Programme Leader and a new fitness to teach assessment may be required. 

Questions? 

Please contact the Admissions Support Team if you have any questions about the process.