New pathway to achieving QTLS status
The Society for Education and Training (SET) has partnered with Nottingham Trent University (NTU) to pioneer a new route to achieving Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status.
Those applying to NTU to achieve their initial teaching qualification will now have the option to go on to work towards the QTLS professional status as part of a continuous course of study, rather than having to apply to work towards it separately after completing their qualification. Choosing to do so will mean paying a discounted rate for QTLS, compared to the fee for those who apply directly to SET after having finished their teaching qualification.
Candidates choosing this route will also benefit from extra support, with the University offering on-programme assistance – such as virtual catch-ups or face-to-face workshops – to their students during the professional formation process.
Achieving the nationally-recognised QTLS status demonstrates the development of an individual’s skill and knowledge through their teaching practice and signals to employers and colleagues a commitment to excellence. Recognised in law as having parity with QTS (Qualified Teacher Status), it makes holders eligible to work in schools as well as FE settings.
Andrew Dowell, the Society for Education and Training’s Head of Professional Status, said: “This is an exciting proposition for those entering teaching careers in the FE sector that pulls together study for their initial qualification and the attainment of the highly-regarded QTLS status. Following this path will mean that candidates enjoy continuity of support from their institutions as they begin their careers, as well as the ongoing camaraderie of their training peer group. With many candidates applying for QTLS already doing so immediately after they have qualified, we believe that continuity will prove an appealing prospect and look forward to working with Nottingham Trent University.”
Angela Schofield, Course Leader for Post-Compulsory Education and Training at NTU, said: ”NTU believes this is a great time to offer completing trainees the opportunity to undertake their professional formation and achieve QTLS status, as this will provide them with continued support and professional development in their first year as a qualified teacher. Every year many of our trainees go on to register for professional formation and we advise them prior to the process, now we can do this in an official capacity and support them throughout. We believe it is a great way for the trainees to continue their development as reflective practitioners and receive a similar experience to other newly qualified teachers completing Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). For NTU, offering QTLS as part of the package is an added benefit both to the trainee, NTU and the profession, offering more teachers the chance to demonstrate their professionalism.”
Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills is the badge of professionalism for post-14 education and training, helping practitioners advance in their careers and demonstrate their expertise and experience to colleagues, employers and learners.
More than 24,000 teachers and trainers have already achieved the status, with 2,121 undertaking study for it last year. A survey of those who have attained QTLS found that 96% felt that the process of professional formation had impacted on their practice. The same percentage said it had impacted on their learners.
