Assessment Only Qualified Teacher Status (AOQTS)

Programme Overview

What is AOQTS?

Assessment Only Qualified Teacher Status (AOQTS) is a pathway for experienced teachers to
gain a Department for Education (England) teaching qualification through a portfolio
development and assessment process. Teachers who hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) are
eligible to teach in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales, in the
European Union and, depending on school policies, in independent and government schools
worldwide.

AOQTS is for individuals who:

Seek to teach in any school that accepts the qualification to teach in England.
Hold a bachelor’s degree from a university in the United Kingdon or equivalency.
Have and/or can meet all prerequisite and programme requirements.
Demonstrate the highest expectations of educators responsible for the education of
young people and membership in the global teaching profession.
Want to become a recognised professional educator with opportunities for
employment worldwide.

AOQTS Focus

The primary focus of the AOQTS process is on the QTS characteristics of effective
educators, and ability of candidates to model them in their teaching.

Candidates use the eight QTS standards associated with teaching, and the standard of
personal and professional conduct, outlined in Teachers’ Standards in England from
September 2012, as the basis for demonstrating their abilities to:

Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils.
Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils.
Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge.
Plan and teach well-structured lessons.
Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils.
Make accurate and productive use of assessment.
Manage behaviour effectively to ensure a good and safe learning environment.
Fulfil wider professional responsibilities.

Teachers are also ‘expected to demonstrate consistently high standards of personal and
professional conduct’.

Summary of AOQTS Requirements

Entry Criteria

Teaching age 3 – 11: English, Mathematics, Science (GCSE Level 4 or equivalency).
Teaching all other ages: English, Mathematics (GCSE Level 4 or equivalency).
Hold a bachelor’s degree from a university in the United Kingdom or equivalency.
Completed rigorous selection processes:

a) EA interview/validation prior to admission to the EA support programme (suitability
to teach, personal qualities of a teacher, completion of prerequisites, portfolio
development plan).

b) University interview/validation after submission of the portfolio for assessment
(suitability to teach, have taught in at least two schools, achievements as a teacher,
review of mentor observations).

If you have any question about your eligibility to meet the entry criteria, please contact us at
qtsmail@educatorsabroad.org.

Assessment Criteria

Demonstrated meeting all QTS standards.
Demonstrated meeting QTS standards across two or more consecutive age ranges.
Received positive assessment of practical teaching.

Cost

EducatorsAbroad fully supports the teaching profession. To encourage talented educators to
remain in the profession during a global teacher shortage and to further develop their careers,
EducatorsAbroad is offering a reduced cost for the AOQTS programme for prospective
candidates who have been admitted to the programme and paid the initial fee by 31st
December 2024.

The programme fee covers:

Personalised EA portfolio development support for twelve (12) months from the date
of admission to the programme.
Preparation for the final assessment that is provided by an EA partner institution.
Fees for the assessment process that includes admission to the partner AO
programme, their online procedures for portfolio review and assessment, and
recommendation for QTS if the candidate is successful.

On admission to the programme, AO candidates will receive an invoice for the appropriate
fee:

For teachers in England, the EA charge for this AOQTS programme is GBP £2,950
(made in in one payment or instalments of £2,000 and £950).
For teachers in other countries, the EA charge for this AOQTS programme is GBP
£3,600 (made in one payment or instalments of £2,000 and £1,600) or USD $4,700
(made in one payment or instalments of $2,700 and $2,000).

Admission to the EA partner online assessment process is based on receipt of the programme
fee and determination by an EA supervisor that a portfolio is complete and ready for
assessment. Assessments are normally scheduled within six weeks or up to 12 weeks after all
materials are submitted.

Candidates are responsible for all other expenses including those associated with:

Providing proof of qualifications.
Completion of all prerequisite and programme requirements.
Data gathering and submission of portfolio materials.
Cost for travel and accommodation when a placement to fulfil the second school
requirement is required.
Charges for extra support by EA colleagues or assessors if required.