Learn more about the Assessment Only (AO) route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) with our frequently asked questions on:
- key information
- teaching experience
- overseas trained teaching and international students
- support
- additional information.
Key information
What is the Assessment Only (AO) route?
The route provides an alternative way for experienced teachers to gain QTS or Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS).
With the support of your school, you should provide evidence of meeting the Teachers’ Standards to the same robust and rigorous level applied to Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) and school-led trainees.
The significant difference is that all applicants are currently employed as unqualified teachers in schools. You should have a minimum of two years’ teaching experience.
There are no taught academic sessions and no training is provided at the University of Reading. You are assessed by:
- meeting entry requirements (matched to PGCE and school-led provision)
- demonstrating meeting the Teachers’ Standards.
How long should the Assessment Only route take?
The AO route must be completed within 12 weeks.
Who can apply for the Assessment Only route?
Teachers who wish to gain a QTS or EYTS award can apply through the AO route. This might include experienced graduate teachers who have experience of teaching across two age phases and ability settings in at least two settings and are:
- currently teaching in schools
- trained to teach overseas
- trained to teach in the further education sector
- teaching in the independent school sector.
When should I apply for the Assessment Only route?
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
What if I want to gain Early Years Teacher Status?
The University of Reading also offers the Assessment Only Early Years Teacher Status route, for teaching children from birth to age five. Please contact Programme Director Harvey Grout for more information.
Teaching experience
Is my teaching experience appropriate?
Teaching experience may include voluntary/unpaid work as well as employed teaching experience. You must be able to demonstrate meeting all the Teachers’ Standards for the award of QTS or EYTS as good or outstanding.
In both education settings, you must demonstrate experience of planning, teaching and assessment. You should also have experience of recognised curricula, reporting to parents and teaching pupils across at least two age phases. Documentary evidence must be available.
A significant proportion of this teaching experience should be recent (within the last 12 months). The University of Reading will decide the relevance of teaching experience based on individual circumstances.
My teaching experience is mostly in the Further Education sector – can I apply for the Assessment Only Route?
You must show that you have appropriate experience of teaching across two age phases in at least two school/further education settings.
If you are predominantly based in further education settings, you must demonstrate sustained and substantial opportunities teaching in key stage 4 age phase contexts.
My teaching experience is mostly in the special educational needs sector – can I apply for the Assessment Only Route?
You must show that you can meet the Teachers’ Standards across two age phases, encompassing a range of assessments and teaching and learning approaches.
Your experience of assessment, teaching and planning must take account of physical ages as well as developmental ages.
You must demonstrate you have sufficient and appropriate experience in your chosen age phases.
You should undertake a second school experience in a mainstream setting to support your evidence for the Teachers’ Standards.
Why must I have taught in a second school setting?
The Department for Education (DfE) requires applicants to have teaching experience in at least two school settings.
The University of Reading requires you to have undertaken a minimum of 15 days/three weeks teaching in your second setting prior to application.
However, you must also demonstrate that you have had enough experience to fully meet all the Teachers’ Standards in that second setting. This may include:
- opportunities to teach pupils from diverse backgrounds
- gaining experience of different teaching and learning pedagogies
- experiencing varying school organisations and their distinctive leadership and management approaches.
Teaching experience in this second setting may be less recent than within the last 12 months.
What should my timetable look like?
You must demonstrate that you can teach across the two age phases (consecutive) for which you are being assessed. Your timetable for the period of assessment must show this.
You must have the opportunity to work with:
- adults other than teachers
- pupils across the ability range within the school
- the pastoral setting of the school.
Secondary applicants’ timetables can include teaching a second subject but 50% of teaching must be in your specialist subject.
Overseas trained teaching and international students
I am an overseas trained teachers (OTTs) or international applicant. Can I still apply?
OTTs are people who have qualified as teachers in a country outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. The Education (Specified Work) (England) Regulations 2012 allow teachers qualified in a country outside of the UK to teach in state-maintained schools and non- maintained special schools in England without qualified teacher status (QTS) for up to four years.
OTTs who have exceeded this four-year rule can still be employed in maintained schools and the non-maintained special schools as instructors. In this context, you are eligible to apply for the AO route.
Prior teaching experience in an international setting is accepted provided you have had the experience and opportunity to demonstrate meeting the Teachers’ Standards.
International applicants should request a statement of comparability through UK ENIC. This is the UK’s official agency for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills.
Support
What support should my education setting be giving me?
You must provide a letter from your headteacher confirming the school’s commitment to supporting you.
The headteacher is asked to provide the assessment of your strengths and overall suitability for a career in teaching in addition to indicating why the school is judging you as ready for your final assessment. This evaluation should be referenced to the Teachers’ Standards.
All schools will be asked to sign the Assessment Only Route Partnership Agreement, which reflects the commitment of both the University of Reading and the school.
Schools must commit to providing a school-based mentor who has undergone ITT mentor training and who will hold regular meetings with you to support you in meeting and evidencing the Teachers’ Standards. They should also provide supporting evidence through lesson observations.
Additional information
Will I become an Early Career Teacher (ECT)?
All applicants who are recommended for the award of QTS become ECTs. This applies to those taking the AO route.
All schools should note the ECT requirements before agreeing to support candidates for the award of QTS.
Further information on the Early Career Teacher induction year
Do I need to take professional skills tests?
As of 1 April 2020, candidates no longer need to undertake the professional skills tests in numeracy and literacy. However, for the Assessment Only (QTS) route, it will form part of the portfolio of evidence.
How can I find out more?
If you have further questions, please contact us.
