Trainee teachers not awarded qualified teacher status (QTS) because they haven’t passed all three skills tests by the end of their teacher training programme, have been allowed to teach for up to five years as unqualified teachers.
The Department for Children, Schools and Families recently consulted on a proposal to remove the five year period and prevent trainees without QTS going into teaching, save in some specific circumstances. The proposed change was agreed by Parliament and comes into effect from 1 September 2008. This will bring the skills tests in line with all other QTS standards, requiring successful completion before a trainee can be recommended for QTS.
The change means that 31 August 2008 is the last date any teacher working without passing their skills tests, and therefore without QTS, can be lawfully employed in maintained schools or non-maintained special schools.
All trainees intending to start work as a teacher in September 2008 must ensure they have passed all three skills tests by 31 August 2008.
View more tdaNews for October 2007
