Qualified Teacher Status - Gaining QTS

Gaining QTS

An undergraduate degree and some form of teacher training is compulsory for new QTS recipients. The most common way to achieve QTS is for those who already have a degree to undertake a postgraduate teacher training course, such as the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), Professional Certificate in Education or employment-based training, such as the Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP). There are also some undergraduate degree qualifications, such as the Bachelor of Education, that lead to the award of a first degree and QTS. In England only, candidates must also pass the QTS Skills Tests. All candidates must have GCSEs at grade C or above (or demonstrate an equivalent standard) in English, Mathematics and, for primary trainees only, Science before embarking on teacher training.

All training which leads to Qualified Teacher Status requires trainees to train across at least two key consecutive pupil age ranges as defined in the Secretary of State's Requirements for Initial Teacher Training. The age ranges are the following:

• Ages 3–5 (Foundation stage)
• Ages 5–7 (School years 1-2)
• Ages 7–9 (School years 3-4)
• Ages 9–11 (School years 5-6)
• Ages 11–14 (School years 7-9)
• Ages 14–16 (School years 10-11)
• Ages 16–19 (School years 12-13)

The General Teaching Council for England (GTC) and General Teaching Council for Wales maintain all registrations, as well as issuing QTS certificates (a task previously undertaken by the Department for Education and Skills). Following abolition on 31 March 2012, the GTC's function is now undertaken by the Teaching Agency.

QTS is technically recognised only in the country it was awarded (England or Wales), but teachers can normally apply for QTS in the other country relatively easily. QTS is also recognised by many other countries once the relevant paperwork has been completed, though many countries place a lot of importance on the route to QTS (such as requiring a PGCE, while not accepting the GTP). Teachers trained outside England and Wales must also apply to be awarded QTS if they wish to teach in England and Wales.

After having been awarded QTS teachers must normally still pass an induction period (previously called 'probation') – normally their first year of teaching. Those who fail the induction still retain their QTS, but cannot teach in state-run schools. The induction period normally lasts a year (three school terms). Such teachers are often known as a Newly Qualified Teacher or NQT.

Not all European Union qualifications have been officially recognised yet, so one should confirm with one's education establishment as to whether one's qualifications are acceptable, or one needs to go through the recognition process.

One's land or origin may well have an office whose purpose is translation and confirmation/recognition of qualifications. Again, one should, if uncertain, seek advice by contacting the Teaching Agency to see if such confirmation is required.