The Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) Programme
The Education Training Foundation’s (ETF) Professional Standards form the basis of the ATS programme. If you undertake ATS you’ll be assessed against these standards and will be asked to log all of your development activity in an online portfolio.
ATS online portfolioThe core sections in the portfolio include:
Upload a copy of your application and add the details of your mentor.
An opportunity to assess yourself and identify areas to focus on, and the impact this will have on your personal development.
A chance to showcase your professional development during the process in relation to the Professional Standards and your area of focus.
Provide examples of how you formally support and mentor colleagues through coaching and mentoring models, strategies and techniques.
Document how your ATS process has positively impacted your organisation, in particular its strategy to improve the quality of teaching.
An opportunity to demonstrate how you will continue to develop your teaching practice.
ATS assessment review
After all your hard work is complete, it’s over to us to review whether you have been successful. There are two steps:
1. Portfolio review
Once you submit your portfolio our team of experienced reviewers will consider the evidence submitted in your portfolio against the following criteria:
- Authenticity - does your evidence appear to be authentic?
- Sufficiency - is your evidence sufficient to be awarded ATS?
- Reliability - is your evidence relevant to you and your current role?
We also have a team of moderators ensuring consistent judgements are made by the reviewing team.
If your portfolio was successful you will then be asked to attend a Viva interview, otherwise we will recommend you make some modifications to your portfolio before re-submitting it.
2. Viva Interview
The Viva interview is the final step in achieving ATS. It’s your last opportunity to demonstrate how you have developed during the process.
3. Results
If your viva interview is successful, you will be notified that you have achieved ATS. Your certificate will be mailed out to you.
Support for participants during the process ATS Support
Participants will be supported throughout the process by a mentor. Ideally, the mentor should be a more experienced colleague working in your organisation or professional network. Should you be unable to appoint a suitable mentor within your organisation or network, you can request a mentor from SET. It remains your responsibility to nominate a mentor before starting your portfolio. The role of the mentor will include:
- supporting you in scoping your professional development plan
- providing support with action planning
- providing support, guidance and inspiration during the process through professional discussion
- writing a supporting statement once you have completed their portfolio.
ATS timeline
The ATS programme involves a number of stages as detailed in the table below.
| Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 | Viva |
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| Programme | Application registration | Portfolios issued | Deadline for submitted completed portfolio | Portfolios reviewed | Results released | Deadline for resubmission (if applicable) | |
| ATS Oct-24 | 1 Apr - 28 Aug 2024 | 1 Oct 2024 | 5pm, 18 Dec 2025 | Jan - Feb 2026 | 4 March 2026 | TBC | w/c 9 March 2026 |