Who is allowed to Teach?

Regulations exist concerning who is allowed to teach in England. These regulations vary depending on the country of original qualification of the overseas trained teacher (OTT). Teachers from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland enjoy the right to have their qualifications recognised in the UK.

• Contact the General Teaching Council (GTC) to obtain a form EC1.
• If you are approved the GTC will then award you Qualified Teacher Status.

If you are from a country outside of the EU and the EEA, you must have your qualifications assessed before applying for a teaching post. Please note that you will also require a work permit to live and work in the UK.

• Send details of your existing qualifications to the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC).
  

 

What do I do until I get QTS?

Overseas trained teachers (OTTs) from outside the EEA are able to teach in England for up to four years without the need to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). As such you may be referred to as a 'temporary teacher'.

• As such you will be paid according to the pay scale for an overseas teacher without QTS.
• You will not be able to obtain a permanent post or promotion.
  

 

How do I achieve QTS?

The Training and Development Agency is the body responsible for enabling overseas trained teachers to gain QTS while working as a teacher. Your application for QTS will be overseen by a 'recommending body' (RB), which could be the school you are working in.

• If you feel you need support you may follow a training plan that could last up to a maximum of a year.
• If not, you will need to demonstrate that you meet the required QTS standards.
• As a qualified teacher from overseas you can apply for QTS assessment without any further training.

If you do need a training programme, the TDA will pay a grant to the RB for your training.