The Assessment Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - FAQ

The Assessment Only route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) - FAQ

What is the Assessment Only (AO) Route?

The AO route is a self-funded route to QTS that does not require a period of training. It is suitable forexperienced graduate practitioners from UK or overseas who have taught in at least two schools in the UK but do not have QTS. Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate that they are meeting the Teachers’ Standards (TS) without the need for further training.

The AO is a route to QTS only. Candidates who have withdrawn from, failed or been turned down for other QTS routes will not normally be considered for the AO route.

How long should the AO process take?

Once accepted candidates are expected to qualify in 12 weeks. They must pass the QTS Skills Tests in order to be approved for the Assessment Stage of the programme.

What are the requirements for entry?

• You must have GCSE grade A* to C, or be able to demonstrate equivalence, in English language, Mathematics and, if applying for QTS within the primary phase, Science.
• You must hold a degree of a United Kingdom higher education institution or equivalent qualification (For secondary candidates, normally 50% of your degree would be directly relevant to your chosen subject for assessment).
• Original certificates must be available, in order to progress your application.
• You must have the support of the school that you will be teaching in for the assessment stage.
• You must be teaching in the supporting school and be judged to be currently meeting, or very close to meeting the QTS standards.
• You must have significant teaching experience (typically 2-3 years) with clear evidence of continuing professional development), across the age range for assessment selected from the following:
• Ages 3-7
• *Ages 5-11
• Ages 7-11
• Ages 11-16
• Ages 14-19
• Ages 11-18

*For Primary 5-11 assessment you would be expected to demonstrate achievement across Key Stages 1 and 2 but not necessarily specifically in both of the 7-9 and 9-11 age ranges.

• Secondary candidates must demonstrate sound subject knowledge for teaching in one National Curriculum subject, or one subject that is examined externally in the selected age range. If the selected subject is largely taught post 16, then the candidate could demonstrate meeting the TS in a closely related subject area at KS4.
• Primary candidates must demonstrate sound subject knowledge for teaching across the entire primary curriculum in the selected age range.
• You must have evidence of competent teaching in at least two different schools. [Candidates who have taught only in their employing schools will need a placement of at least four weeks duration before they can be accepted to the assessment stage, in order to demonstrate that they have met teaching standards in a second setting.
• You must have passed the QTS Skills tests before approval for the assessment stage.

How are candidates supported during the process?

Candidates are approved for assessment by an experienced Partnership Initial Teacher Training (ITT) tutor who aims to ensure that candidates are fully conversant with the teaching standards and requirements for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

The employing school will provide a specialist mentor who has been trained by an ITT provider. The mentor will meet regularly with the candidate, provide guidance and support, regularly observes the candidate teach and provide feedback which addresses the teachers standards.

What teaching experience can be taken into account?

All relevant teaching experience may be taken into account; voluntary/unpaid work as well as employed teaching experience. Relevant teaching experience typically includes teaching classes which are not customarily fewer than fifteen learners, teaching learners across the full ability range and from diverse backgrounds and teaching practical classes using suitable equipment as appropriate to a phase or subject specialism. The location of prior experience is less relevant than ensuring that the applicant has enough experience to be able to demonstrate meeting all the standards for QTS fully, particularly those relating to national curriculum, examination arrangements, statutory duties in the age range that they are being assessed in without the need for further training, within a term, and that they meet all other relevant entry/assessment requirements.

How recent must a candidate's evidence be?

We would normally expect a significant proportion of evidence tobe recent (within the last 12 months). However, evidence fromteaching in a second setting could be older. There are no hard and fast rules about the age of evidence. We will make a professional judgment in individual cases.

Evidence will typically include: planning records, pupil achievement records, examples of your pupils’ work, evidence of how you deal with pupils of different abilities, written feedback when other teachers have observed you (e.g. for inspection and performance management ).

What is the role of a candidate’s school?

It is important that your school is committed to your undertaking this route and the candidate must seek the permission of the head teacher to support the application.

Having the school’s commitment to provide a school-based mentor who has undergone ITT mentor training will also be a condition of acceptance on to the route.The role of the mentor is to provide written feedback following regular observations (eight – twelve lesson observations, which demonstrate that the candidate is at least meeting the teaching standards) and to advise and support the candidate when he/she is gathering evidence.The school-based mentor will also be expected to meet the candidate weekly to support the candidate in addressing any professional development targets and completing the assessment plan established at the selection stage, including portfolio development.

School representatives (e.g. mentor and/or candidate’s line manager) will participate in all stages of the process and be available for joint lesson observation, feedback and interview when the University ITT tutor visits.

All schools will be asked to sign the partnership agreement, which is drawn from elements of our existing ITT partnership agreements. The agreement forms part of the overall application.

What are the stages of the process?

In the first instance all candidates must register for an application form through this website. The application form will be emailed to you.We will accept applications on an ongoing basis.

Candidates who submit a complete application will progress to the selection stage. This will include eligibility checks and confirmation of certification, interviews and lesson observation. Suitable candidates will be provided with a development and assessment plan and an appropriate start date for the assessment stage of the programme. Please note that we are unable to approve applications over any school holiday periods.

Following receipt of a complete and suitable application the process is as follows:

Stage 1: Selection

Part 1: Confirmation of qualifications,experience and employment status via interview at Middlesex University with an ITT tutor. Entry requirements will be checked and candidates will be advised about preparing for Part 2 of the selection process.

Part 2: Formative assessment, suitability check and development and assessment planning. This is carried out by a University ITT tutor and school representative(s) in the school setting who will confirm your evidence claim, understanding and experience and establish your suitability for this route. It will include lesson observation and those interviewed will be expected to communicate in Standard English.Where sufficient evidence is provided, the tutor will approve the candidate for assessment and support the candidate in preparing a development and assessment plan. This will identify weaknesses and gaps in evidence and set targets for the candidate, which may include elements of training/professional development and time frame in which to qualify. The assessment plan is used to identify lesson observation points and to ensure the candidate is supported with assessment across the selected age range and subject area for QTS. Candidates must provide proof of successful completion of the QTS skills tests. Candidates who fail the tests on three occasions will not be able to complete Stage 2 and will not be eligible for QTS assessment.

Stage 2: Assessment

Part 1: Initial assessment.

The candidate prepares for the initial assessment by producing six reflective commentaries and portfolio of evidence. The reflective commentaries should be emailed to the Partnership ITT tutor before the scheduled visit. This will include a summative interview and observation, carried out by the ITT tutor, shortly before final assessment and moderation, in order to confirm that targets have been met and the scope of evidence collected is sufficient. The tutor will provides written feedback on performance and make an assessment judgement about QTS. Initial assessments can be arranged after 6 weeks of the assessed period and before final assessment/moderation in week 12. This allows candidates to present supplementary evidence at the final assessment stage if required.

Part 2: Final assessment/ moderation

This will include interviews, lesson observation(s) and scrutiny of the portfolio of evidence. It will be carried out by a different assessor who will seek to confirm and moderate assessment judgments.

What about the Professional Skills Tests?

All candidates must take the professional skills tests in literacy and numeracy before they can be recommended for QTS.

Please visit the DfE site for information about the professional Skills Tests.

There are two tests, in literacy and numeracy. You can practise the tests by studying the examples given on the website. Please note that only the first attempt at the tests is free. A fee is charged for the second and third attempts at the tests. Candidates must pass both QTS Skills Tests before commencing Stage 2.

Candidates who fail either test three times must wait two years, before making a further attempt.

What happens when the candidate is judged to pass and meet the QTS Standards?

We notify the NCTL and QTS will be awarded. A certificate will be sent to the candidate.

Will I have to undergo the NQT induction Year?

All candidates who are assessed and recommended for QTS become Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs). Information about statutory arrangements for the induction of NQTs can be found online at

What is the cost?

£2250 is payable in total. As there is a partnership agreement with the school, this amount is usually paid by the supporting school, which may reclaim funds by negotiation with the candidate.

The fee is comprised of two parts:

There is a non-refundable fee of £750 for the full selection stage. This includes £250 for the eligibility interview and £500 for the suitability and approval interview. Schools will be invoiced with the appropriate amount after the eligibility interview.

The remaining £1500 is for the assessment stage and schools will be invoiced for the full amount after approval for assessment.

How do I apply?

Application for this programme is made directly to Middlesex University. After registration, candidates will be issued with an application form by email. This must be completed jointly by the candidate and their employing school. Please ensure that you provide an accurate email address. If you do not receive an email within five days please check your spam and junk mail filters before contacting us.

Where can I get further information?

Further information about the Assessment Only route to QTS is available at the Department of Education website at

You can also make enquiries through our registration email by contacting the Assessment Only route leader, Dr Victoria Brook at