ASSESSMENT ONLY

Programme overview

Assessment only programme overview

The Assessment Only (AO) programme provides a pathway for experienced unqualified teachers with a degree to achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The Assessment Only route allows you to demonstrate that you already meet all of the standards for QTS, without the need for any further training. If you do not meet the entry requirements for the Assessment Only route, please consider one of our primary or secondary teacher training courses instead. The Tommy Flowers SCITT is an accredited and approved Assessment Only provider. We offer Assessment Only accreditation for age ranges: 3-7, 5-11, 7-14, 11-16 and 14-19.

Entry Requirements

All applicants for the Tommy Flowers SCITT Assessment Only programme must meet the following entry requirements before applying to the Tommy Flowers SCITT.

A British Bachelors Honours Degree or equivalent qualification.
GCSEs or equivalent in English (Language or Literature), Mathematics (and for Primary applicants, a Science subject) at Grade C/4 or above. Please note that Level 1/2 functional skills are not equivalent to GCSE. For a list of accepted qualifications, please click here. We also accept equivalency tests from Equivalency Testing or A Star Equivalency. Please contact us if you are unsure if your qualifications are equivalent or to discuss your options.
Be meeting the fundamental English and maths skills required to be a qualified teacher.
Employment as an unqualified teacher in at least two settings (or one setting for 5+ years) prior to application. Your role as an unqualified teacher will have involved planning, teaching and assessing whole classes in both schools, with a minimum of 20 days in the second school. One setting must be a mainstream state school in the UK.
A minimum of two years’ (full-time or part-time equivalent) teaching experience as an unqualified teacher across the chosen age range.
Current employment at a school willing to support you through this programme. You will need to have an enhanced DBS in place with the school in which you will be assessed.
Applicants must prove, through the interview process, both their suitability to teach and their ability to meet the standards for QTS without the need for any further training.

The UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills (UK ENIC) can provide advice on the equivalence of overseas qualifications. Click here for more information.

Overseas teaching qualification

The UK’s Department for Education (DfE) is creating a fairer process for awarding qualified teacher status (QTS) to some teachers from overseas, depending upon the country they trained in and the subject they teach. Teachers working in the UK who trained overseas should look at the Government website to check if they are eligible for this service.

Individuals not eligible to use the new service, may be able to complete our Assessment Only programme if they meet our eligibility criteria.

The Process

The Assessment Only programme is typically a 12-week assessment.

Application

The applicant will complete a pre-application checklist with the Professional Tutor in their employing school in order to verify that they meet the necessary entry requirements. Once all entry criteria have been met, the applicant will request an application form. Upon receipt of the application and the service level agreement form a compliance check will be carried out. A handbook for the Assessment Only programme will be issued.

Interview

A Partnership Manager from the Tommy Flowers SCITT will arrange a visit to observe the applicant teach and to conduct an interview to assess their readiness for the 12 week assessment period. The applicant will be required to complete a subject knowledge audit and provide evidence towards meeting the Teachers’ Standards. Where necessary, an action plan will be put in place before the 12 week assessment process can be started.

Assessment

The applicant will have weekly mentor meetings and observations with their School Mentor and carry out two assessment points. The Partnership Manager will review progress midway through the 12 weeks and visit for a final assessment in the last week, which will include an observation, interview and presentation of a portfolio of evidence.

Fees

The cost of the Assessment Only Programme is £2,900. There is no funding available for this route. All costs must be met by the applicant and/or the employing school.