Assessment Only (QTS)

Programme code

n/a

Duration
12 Weeks

Department of Study
University of Warwick

Formalise your professional skills with Warwick. This programme is ideal for those who are an experienced teacher looking to gain accreditation. If you have at least two years teaching experience in the public or private sector, you may be eligible for our assessment-only programme. You'll become a confident teacher and make a real difference to your students' development and lives.

Programme Goals

At Warwick, we are committed to providing full and dedicated support for our Assessment Only candidates. We will strive to ensure that you are offered the opportunity to demonstrate effectiveness in the following areas:

Promoting the educational achievement of all pupils and a respect for their diverse cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds;
Possession of a secure subject knowledge base and the pedagogy to impact pupils’ progress through effective teaching and learning;
The ability to plan and teach in order to maximise pupils’ attainment;
The ICT skills to support planning, teaching and administration;
The ability to assess, record and monitor the outcomes of learning in the context of school and national priorities;
An understanding of the critically important processes of reflection and enquiry in dealing with professional issues;

Programme Overview

You'll gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) without additional training.

You'll be supervised by highly qualified and experienced teachers.

Gain QTS from DfELink opens in a new window in 12 weeks
Qualify to teach in England in a state-maintained school
Once you are qualified in England or Wales, you will be paid under the school teachers’ pay scales
You will be able to join in the ECT provision at your school and at the University of Warwick upon completion of the programme

Qualified Teacher Status in England and Wales

Qualified Teacher Status in England and Wales is conferred by the Teaching Agency on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education (England) and the Minister for Education and Skills (Wales) and not by universities.

Contact us

Enrolment questions: assessmentonlyqts@warwick.ac.uk

Qualifications

Degree

UK Bachelors degree with Honours at 2:2 or above, or (equivalent level qualification*)

GCSEs

At least a Grade C/Grade 4 in GCSE (or equivalent qualification*) in

English
Mathematics
Science (Primary only)

We can accept 3rd party equivalency tests in place of GCSEs.

The current providers that have been approved are

Discounts are available for Centre for Teacher Education offer-holders - please contact cte.admissions@warwick.ac.uk for the discount code. You must have sat and passed your equivalency before enrolment onto the programme will be permitted.

* We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

English Language Proficiency

(Separate from the English GCSE Requirement)

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, you will need a minimum score of 7.0 under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Find out more about English requirements at Warwick.

Your Current Role & Experience

Find out more on the 'Your School/Setting tab'

Safeguarding & Suitability Checks

Two References

One from your current employer and one from a second school that you have completed a minimum 6 weeks teaching experience in.
The reference templates, and more information can be found on the 'Your School/Setting tab'

Confirmation of DBS Check (or international equivalent)

You will need an up-to-date Vetting Check Form, confirming you hold a valid Enhanced DBS check.

This form will be completed by your school/setting (we will provide a template) and confirm the safeguarding checks you have been subject to within your role.

The University will also undertake a check of the UK Teacher Services Restriction list (TSR List)

For candidates on the International programme, if you have ever lived or worked in the United Kingdom you will also be required to provide an International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC)

Capacity to Teach

You will be required to complete a Health and Physical Capacity to Teach Declaration. This form will be shared with you to complete, once your application has been reviewed, your interview has taken place and you are made a conditional offer.

Your Location

For the Local Programme

You will be working within a 50-mile radius of The University of Warwick, CV4 7AL

For the International Programme

You will be based in a suitable school or setting overseas

IT Requirements

To ensure you have the appropriate computer requirements to enable you to study online, please check our computer specification guidance notes (PDF)Link opens in a new window.

An essential and significant part of the programme is the support of your school/setting.

A formal statement from your school or setting which provides details not only of your experience to date but also details of your potential to become an outstanding teacher is required.

This will help evidence (along with your CV and Timeline of Experience) that you have recent significant experience teaching across consecutive age ranges in two or more schools/settings (including the school/setting you are currently working in) and have at least 2 years of teaching experience in total and you have the support of your school/setting to undertake the programme.

Current Role & Experience

To be considered for the programme you must be working as an unqualified teacher (paid or unpaid) in one of the following settings:

Mainstream school or academy
Free School
Independent School
Pupil Referral Unit
Special School (Candidates who are working in a Pupil Referral Unit or Special School will need to provide evidence of significant mainstream school experience)

School Declaration and letter of recommendation

Your teaching will have been observed by your school/setting and graded as "Outstanding" or "Good" and your school will be required to submit a reference in support of you undertaking the Assessment Only Programme to QTS

Information about your teaching experience and grade will be provided via two references.

One from your current employer and one from a second school that you have completed a minimum 6 weeks teaching experience in.

You must have the full support of (or be sponsored by) your employing school, who will confirm this as detailed below:

School Declaration

Must be submitted by the school at Stage 1 of the application process

Local	International
For candidates teaching internationally the School Declaration form can be found: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/cte/professionaldevelopment/assessmentonly/schooldeclaration/	For candidates teaching locally the School declaration form can be found: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/cte/professionaldevelopment/assessmentonly/schooldeclaration-internationalLink opens in a new window

Two School Letters of Recommendation

These must be submitted at Stage 1 of the application process.

Your school’s letter should make reference to the following:

Your teaching experience to date
Your current teaching commitment at the school
Details of extra-curricular activities, other school responsibilities
The school’s experience of working in Initial Teacher Education
The experience of the mentor who will be working with you during your programme
Your relationships with pupils and colleagues, including support staff
A recent lesson observation undertaken by a senior member of staff
Your subject knowledge and pedagogy
Your health and physical capacity to teach
Your resilience and ability to cope with the demands of teaching, and ability to adapt to the changing educational landscape.

There is also a template which the second school where you have completed a minimum 6 weeks teaching experience must complete in support of your application.

Both school letter templates are below.

Current School Letter of Recommendation TemplateLink opens in a new window
Must be uploaded by the school when they complete the School Declaration form

Second Setting Letter of recommendation TemplateLink opens in a new window
Must be uploaded with your supporting documentation.

Assessment

After you have made your Stage 2 application and provided the necessary documentation for the programme, A University Assessor will undertake an initial assessment.

The Initial Assessment

Identity Check
Before your initial assessment can proceed, you must have provided a digital copy of photographic ID.
You will be asked to show this ID during your interview/initial assessment so that your identity can be verified.
Lesson Observation
During your initial assessment The University Assessor will observe one of your lessons.
There will be a review and discussion afterwards.
For those invited to apply for the international route this lesson may be one which is recorded and provided digitally with the explicit permission of your school.
Formal Interview
You will provide an Initial Portfolio of Evidence demonstrating that you have achieved the Teachers’ Standards set by the Department for Education.

Based on all of the information you provide and the University Assessor reviews, a recommendation will be made as to whether you are ready to start the QTS Assessment, or what is the best route for you to become a qualified teacher.

School Based Assessor/Mentor Observations

An appropriately qualified and experienced member of staff within your school will act as your School Based Assessor/Mentor.
They are responsible for:

Undertaking weekly lesson observations
Providing feedback on your lessons
Complete the Assessment Point documentation
Sharing the Assessment Point documentation with the University prior to each assessment visit.

A more detailed overview of the expectations of a School Based Assessor can be found in the School Declaration of Understanding.

University Assessor Visits

There will be three lesson observation visits (including your initial observation) from the University Assessor (Teaching Fellow) across the programme.

Evidence

To support the judgment of your teaching quality you will submit a final Portfolio of Evidence which is a record of your development as a teacher.

You'll gather evidence against each of the eight national Teachers Standards.
This will be assessed at the final assessment visit to your school in an informal interview, where you'll demonstrate:

Effective classroom management, showing sensitivity and responsiveness to the needs of pupils and an ability to promote learning
An effective and confident approach to curriculum planning
Knowledge, particularly in relation to the breadth of the National Curriculum and your subject area
Able to use ICT effectively in your teaching and to promote student learning
An accurate approach to assessment
A professional commitment to setting high standards for yourself and your pupils
Commitment to your own continued professional development (CPD)

Programme Fees

Route		2025-26
Assessment Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status - Primary and Early Years (Local)	EU/Overseas/Home	£2,725
Assessment Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status - Secondary (Local)	EU/Overseas/Home	£2,725
Assessment Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status - Primary and Early Years (International)	EU/Overseas/Home	£2,725
Assessment Only Route to Qualified Teacher Status - Secondary (International)	EU/Overseas/Home	£2,725

This fee of £2,725 is paid in two stages:

Non-refundable deposit
(£550)

Full payment fee Minus deposit
(£2175)

This payment MUST be paid via the online payment system once a Stage 1 self assessment has been made and you have been invited to make a formal application to the programme. This fee covers the assessment of the information you have been provided.

Paying this deposit and submitting a stage 1 application is NOT confirmation that you have been made an offer for the programme.

This fee (£2,725 minus deposit of £550 already paid) will only be paid by the candidate via the online payment line where a candidate is self-funding the cost of the Assessment Only Route to QTS.

The Fee (after deposit) may be paid by the Sponsor school/setting or direct by the candidate, but in both cases must be paid before a candidate is made an unconditional offer on the programme.

Failure to pay fees on time may result in the candidate losing their place on the programme.

Start Dates

Primary (Local and International):
Three cohorts within the year - Autumn, Spring and Summer.

Secondary (Local & International)
Two cohorts within the year - Autumn and Spring.

When can I apply?

Places on each cohort are limited and formal applications are considered in the order in which they are received. A formal application can only be made once a Stage 1 Self Assessment Form and supporting documentation is assessed as complete, and a deposit is paid.
If the cohort is full at the point you submit your self Assessment form we will add you to a waiting list for the next available cohort.
For Primary and Early Years programmes, the deadlines for a formal stage 2 application are as follows
- Mid-June to start in Autumn (September)
- End of October to start in Spring (January)
- February half-term to start in Summer (July)
For Secondary programmes, the deadlines for a formal stage 2 application are as follows
- Mid-June to start in Autumn (September)
- End of October to start in Spring (January)

Prior to completing this form, please ensure you have familiarised yourself with the entry requirements of the programme.

The information you provide here to determine whether you meet those entry criteria.

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Stage 1 - Self Assessment Form (SAF)

Before you are invited to submit a formal (Stage 2) application form for entry onto the Assessment only programme you must complete the following

Submit a Self Assessment FormLink opens in a new window - This form asks you to confirm details such as the programme you are interested in, information about your experience, your current school/setting and you qualifications.
Upload the required documentationLink opens in a new window to the document upload page and ask your Schools setting to complete the School Declaration of understanding.

For candidates teaching locally the School Declaration form can be found: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/cte/professionaldevelopment/assessmentonly/schooldeclaration/
For candidates teaching internationally the School declaration form can be found: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/cte/professionaldevelopment/assessmentonly/schooldeclaration-internationalLink opens in a new window
When prompted by the Education Team, make payment of your £550 non-refundable deposit.

We cannot assess your viability as a candidate, and progress to stage 2 of the application process if you have not returned the required documentation.

Stage 2 - Formal Application

If the information and evidence you have provided in your SAF & School Declaration indicates that you meet the entry criteria for the programme you are interested in you will be invited to submit a formal University of Warwick application form via the application portal.

Upon invitation to apply you will be provided with:

Application Guide - Which will instruct you how to set up your applicant portal and what information you must provide
Centre for Teacher Education Personal Statement Template - You must submit this as a supporting document with your application
Reference Templates to provide to your school referees
A Vetting Check Template which your school will be required to complete to confirm you have been subject to the necessary safeguarding policies to teach within your area (E.g. An Enhanced DBS Check in the UK)

You will also be required to submit qualification documentation formally attested, These documents must be attested by an UoW approved service to include high quality scans of all relevant qualifications that confirm you meet the entry requirements for the programme you have applied to (and official translations where these documents are not in English)