Astra Assessment Only Route to QTS

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The Assessment Only route takes into account an individual’s past and present work experience; you are potentially able to qualify in a much shorter timeframe than if you were to undertake a PGCE and / or SCITT teacher training. You will also benefit from remaining in paid employment throughout your assessment, with the chance of improved promotion prospects after you have fully qualified, along with an increased salary (qualified teachers typically earn, on average, at least £6000 more than their unqualified colleagues).

Please contact Thahera Konkader at Thahera@astra-alliance.com or on 01494 787573 if you need any further information on the Assessment Only route.

Government guidance: Assessment only route to QTS: criteria and supporting advice

Who is the programme for?

To be eligible for the Assessment Only Route the candidate will:

have a first degree (typically 2.2 classification or above) from a UK higher education institution or equivalent qualification.
have achieved a standard equivalent grade 4 or above (previously grade C) in the GCSE examinations in English and mathematics, and if you intend to train to teach primary additionally have achieved a standard equivalent to a grade 4 or above in the GCSE examination in a science subject. Please contact us should you need information on where to sit GCSE equivalency exams.
be employed by a school in a teaching capacity at the time of commencing the programme.
have a minimum of two years of full time teaching.
have taught in at least two schools demonstrating experience of:
- working with children and young people from different backgrounds across the ability range in their chosen age ranges
- experience of different approaches to teaching and learning and to school organisation and management
- responsibility for planning, teaching and assessment
be able to demonstrate that you have the suitability to teach in terms of appropriate academic capabilities and personal qualities, a positive attitude, and a good grasp of professional ethics, morality and integrity.

Within your school, you will need to secure:

Agreement that the school will work in partnership with Astra SCITT to carry out your QTS assessment.
A named and suitably qualified and experienced mentor to work in partnership with Astra SCITT to carry out your assessment.

What is involved?

In accordance with the guidelines set out by the DfE, the Assessment Only route must assess your ability to meet the standards for QTS as part of the selection process. Your existing skill sets and the extent of your teaching experience will therefore be evaluated through an initial visit at the beginning of the programme. Your employing school will also be asked to comment on your readiness for assessment based on your progress and current performance.
You will need to provide a variety of high quality evidence within your QTS portfolio to demonstrate that you have met the Teachers’ Standards across two or more schools across the full ability and age range.
Based on the initial visit the Assessor will be able to discuss with you and your school the timeframe for your final assessment visit.