From September 2007 all new entrants to further education teaching will be expected to be working toward the new award of Qualified Teaching Learning and Skills (QTLS)
QTLS aims to ensure that all students in FE are taught by teachers and trainers who are both experienced in their subject and skilled at teaching, and is the central focus of the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) reform strategy set out in Equipping our Teachers for the Future. This was announced in November 2004 by the Minister of State. The new award is the equivalent of QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) in schools and will place all new entrants to teaching and training on the pathway to a professional qualification.
The reforms will be implemented over the next two years and introduced in full from September 2007. The key features are:
- initial training leading to ‘Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills’;
- the development of Centres for Excellence in Teacher Training; and
- new standards, quality assurance and planning arrangements for initial teacher training.
These reforms will impact on learning providers across the board, not just those teaching in FE colleges. An information pack has been produced which sets outs the impacts for providers and their staff. You can download Initial teacher training - making the reforms happen from the right of this page.
The reforms were introduced to address the concerns which Ofsted highlighted in November 2003 - these included insufficient initial assessment, monitoring and specialist support for college teaching staff.
The Department will be working with key partners to implement these reforms. Consultation around the introduction of the system has been carried out by Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK), whilst the Institute for Learning (IfL) has been tasked with both the registration of those enrolling on courses, and providing teachers meeting the necessary standards with the award of QTLS status.
Centres for Excellence in Teacher Training
The centres are designed to improve the quality of initial training and continuing professional development for teachers working for FE colleges or providers of work-based and adult and community learning.
LLUK is conducting consultation events throughout February focussing on the proposals that have been put forward for criteria for CETTs and for a mechanism by which the status may be awarded. You can take part in this consultation online at the LLUK website until Friday 3 March.
Following the consultation meetings, LLUK is due to report back to the Department in April. Potential applicants will be given further information by September, before the names of the first CETTs are announced in March 2007. The centres should become operational in September 2007, at the same time as staff in the learning and skills sector start working towards qualifications that allow them to gain QTLS status.
Resources
The following documents are available to download:
Hard copies of the above can be ordered from the Department for Education and Skills Publications on 0845 602 2260.
If you have any questions please contact the LLUK helpline on 020 7936 5798.
