Taking this Assessment Only Route to QTS at Kingston University gives you the opportunity to demonstrate you meet the standards for QTS without any further training. To apply for the route, you will need to have worked in two schools and across two consecutive age phases as an unqualified teacher for a minimum of two years. You must also be able to show your experience fully meets the Teachers' Standards by point of application and that you are consistently meeting the Teachers' Standards by your final assessment point. 

Plus, you must have a school or setting mentor to support you throughout the route.

During the Assessment Only Route to QTS, you'll complete a range of portfolio tasks based on your classroom practice to demonstrate you are consistently meeting the Teachers' Standards. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with current research and evidence-based learning, improve your knowledge, skills and understanding, and make a positive impact on your pupils' progress.

You’ll complete the route with a recommendation for QTS, and will need to complete an induction Early Career Teacher (ECT) programme at your employing school.

Please note, if you have a teaching qualification from the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, you might not need to take the AO route. If the UK recognises your teaching qualification, you will need to apply to the Department for Education for your QTS.

Why choose this route

Kingston University is an accredited and approved provider of the Assessment Only (AO) route to Qualified Teaching Status (QTS). We work with a range of partnership schools, and actively promote diversity and equality in the teaching profession. 

You can choose to gain your recommendation in Early Years Primary (3–7 years), General Primary (5–11 years) or any secondary subject.

While you study, you’ll have access to a range of facilities at our Kingston Hill campus. From our fully-equipped Nightingale Centre library to our modern wireless network, you’ll have everything you need to accelerate your learning.

The Assessment Only route is not a training programme and is only available for unqualified teachers with appropriate educational qualifications and experience. The route allows you to demonstrate that you already meet all of the standards for QTS without the need for any further training. You will need to present a detailed portfolio of evidence, complete appropriate pre-selection checks and undertake an online interview in order to be selected for this route.

Subjects offered:

Primary - early years (ages 3-7)
Primary - general (ages 5-11)
Any secondary subject