The Assessment-Only route is not a taught programme. It is designed for people who have significant experience working as instructors, cover-supervisors or other unqualified teaching roles in schools to gain QTS while working. It is ideal for people experienced at FE level, possibly with QLTS, who now wish to qualify to teach students aged from 5 to 16.
Any candidate considering this route should be aware that they will have the only 12-weeks to complete the assessment. This route is therefore most appropriate for candidates who already have plenty of evidence from their employment in a school to be able to meet QTS standards. The AO route is not aimed at candidates who would require more training (GTP and normal ITT provision is the better option in such cases).
Structure and Assessment
Leeds Trinity provides an assessment framework for schools so that participants are guided and supported effectively towards their achievement of QTS.
During the assessment period, candidates collate evidence of their performance against QTS standards, and gain further experience against QTS standard areas for which they have not thus far had opportunity to meet (e.g. for secondary candidates, working at Post-16 level in your subject specialism).
Quality is assured by Leeds Trinity so that participants, mentors and schools can be confident with the QTS awarded. Leeds Trinity verifiers visit the school three times during a 12-week assessment period:
- Once at the beginning of the assessment period to ensure that the participant and the school are fully aware of the expectations and requirements.
- Once during the assessment period to conduct a parallel lesson observation with the school mentor and to check on progress towards the Professional Standards.
- Once at the end of the assessment period to verify the final assessment.
A report will be written on candidates' progress twice during the 12 weeks. The final report at the end of the assessment period will be indexed against the QTS standards, and compiled by your school based subject mentor and School ITT co-ordinator. The Leeds Trinity Verifier will moderate this assessment, informed by the evidence collected and collated during the 12 weeks. Candidates are also required to pass the two TDA QTS Skills Tests in Numeracy and Literacy before they can be awarded QTS.
The assessment process will inform the completion of the Career Entry and Development Profile (CEDP) by the candidate at the end of the 12 weeks. This will support candidates into their Induction Year by highligthing areas of strength and possible areas for development.
Participants can access additional tuition* from Leeds Trinity if they need extra support or wish to gain academic credit towards a Masters level qualification.
Entry Requirements
- For applicants for Secondary QTS: a degree (or equivalent) with a significant proportion of the subject you intend to teach and GCSE Grade C (or equivalent) English and mathematics
- For applicants for Primary QTS: a degree (or equivalent) that relates to an area of the primary curriculum or that relates to Education Studies and GCSE Grade C (or equivalent) English, mathematics and science
- Experience teaching in two or more schools/colleges, including the school you are currently working at.
Confirmation that the applicant had not been excluded from teaching nor from working with children, nor was registered with the Criminal Records Bureau as unfit for working with children or young persons.
Suitable personal and intellectual qualities required for teaching in secondary schools.
Attitudes and values appropriate to that of a secondary teacher.
Ability to read effectively and communicate clearly and accurately in spoken and written standard English.
The capacity to meet the Secretary of State’s requirements for physical and mental fitness to teach.
Expectations
In order to have sufficient opportunity to meet the Professional Standards for QTS, it is expected that the school will, for the duration of the 12-weeks assessment period:
- Provide the candidate with a a teaching timetable that will enable them to demonstrate competence against the Professional Standards for QTS.
- Provide a subject/phase specialist mentor to support the applicant for approximately 1 hour each week
- Provide adequate feedback (lesson observations, feedback on lesson planning and assessment) to support the applicant towards demonstrating competence against the Professional Standards for QTS
- Ensure that the applicant and the mentor are available to meet with the Leeds Trinity Verifier when they visit the school for the purposes of assessment and moderation (normally three times during the 12-weeks assessment period).
Teaching Timetable
All teaching timetables must provide opportunities for candidates to work across two consecutive age-ranges (3-5, 5-7, 7-9, 9-11, 11-14, 14-16, 16-19). The timetable must be sustained for the entire period of assessment and must provide opportunities to work with pupils across the ability range; to work with other colleagues (TAs, SEN Assistants etc.); and to work in a pastoral role.
Secondary candidates will be expected to teach a minimum 50% timetable across the 12-weeks and that 80% of this timetable must focus on their specialist subject.
Primary candidates will be expected to teach one age-range for a minimum 50% timetable during the first 6-weeks. During the final half of the assessment period Primary candidates are expected to teach a minimum 80% timetable with a class from another (consecutive) age-range.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted throughout the year. Candidates are assessed from November to March or from March to July. The deadline for applications for the March-July Assessment Period is Monday 30 January 2012. Candidates should note that places on this programme are limited by TDA Allocation and so early application is recommended.
Download an Application Form here.
The Application Form aims to provide applicants with comprehensive guidance on requirements and expectations. Further information can be gained from the contacts listed below.
Further information...
Applications -
Anne Welburn
T: 0113 2837 268
E: admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk
About the programme -
Claire Smith
T: 0113 2837 100 Ext 370
E: c.smith@leedstrinity.ac.uk
See the DFE Website: http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/teacher-training-options/assessment-only.aspx
Fees
The assessment fee for 2011/12 is £1500.
*Additional fees may be required for additional training.
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