So who is allowed to teach?
From an OTT and the GTC to form EC1 and becoming a QTS – we beat a path through a sea of acronyms to explain which qualifications you need to start teaching.
There are regulations governing who can to teach in England. If you’ve trained overseas your qualifications may or may not be recognised.
Overseas Trained Teachers (OTTs), teachers from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland enjoy the right to have their qualifications recognised in the UK.
- Contact the General Teaching Council to obtain form EC1.
- If you are approved, the General Teaching Council will then award you Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
If you’re from a country outside of the European Union and the European Economic Area, you must have your qualifications assessed before applying for a teaching post. You’ll also require a work permit to live and work in the UK.
What do I do until I get QTS?
OTTs from outside the European Economic Area can teach in England for up to four years without QTS. You may be referred to as a “temporary teacher” during this period.
- 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”,which could be the school you are working in.
- If 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 Training and Development Agency will pay a grant to the recommending body for your training.