Overseas Trained Teachers
Qualified Teacher Status
Any Overseas Trained Teacher (OTT) wishing to work as a qualified teacher in England must hold a Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Teachers who qualified overseas can work as a ‘temporary teacher’ for a maximum of four years without QTS, from the date of their first day teaching in a maintained school or non maintained special school in England and Wales.
Assessment for QTS
Suitably qualified OTTs have the option to present themselves for QTS assessment without further training and, in some cases, may be exempted from the requirement to serve an induction year after qualification (if assessed against both the QTS and Core Standards on the day of assessment).
Time limit to teaching without QTS
Teachers without QTS can only work for four years in schools where QTS is the normal requirement (maintained schools and non-maintained special schools in England and Wales). OTTs will need QTS to secure a permanent post and to progress to higher pay bands or senior management posts in maintained schools, even if they have additional teaching qualifications or previous management experience.
The Standards for QTS are designed to ensure that teachers have the subject knowledge and the teaching and learning expertise they need to teach pupils of compulsory school age in maintained schools in England.
For more information, please go to the TDA OTT webpage or contact the Training and Development Agency (TDA) OTT helpline on 01245 454321 or at ott@ttainfo.co.uk
Gaining QTS
The candidate will need to demonstrate their skills and knowledge to an independent assessor in an English classroom. This means that QTS cannot be gained before coming to, or immediately upon arrival in, England.
OTTs who gain QTS are also required to meet the Core Standards, either through assessment or an Induction year. These require a teacher to work independently in areas where the QTS Standards assume the support of an experienced teacher and focus on aspects of teaching that can be better developed during employment as a qualified teacher.
Where were you trained?
Within the European Economic Area (EEA)
If you were trained in part of the EEA, you will be eligible for QTS without further assessment. For further information, go to the General Teaching Council for England (GTC)website, or contact them on 0870 001 0308.
Outside the EEA
If you were trained outside of the EEA, you will need to secure a post of at least a term or more either through supply or a full-time fixed term contract. You will also need the support of your Headteacher, as they have to confirm they believe you can meet the standards for QTS.
More information can be found on the Training and Development Agency or GTC websites.
Have your qualifications been verified?
Your overseas qualifications will need to be checked for comparability with UK Qualifications, through UK NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre).
Anyone from aboard wishing to teach in England must have the equivalent of
- GCSEs in English, Maths and Science to Grade C or better
- a UK Bachelors degree or equivalent
- a teaching qualification (either from the UK or from your own country).
For more information, go to the UK NARIC website, or contact them on 0871 330 7033 or at info@naric.org.uk
Do you have the right to work in the UK?
If you do not already have a relevant Work Permit to work in the UK, go to the Home Office website for guidance notes explaining the rules and how to apply for a Work Permit, or contact them on telephone: 0114 259 4074 or at email: wpcustomers@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
How do I get assessed for QTS?
You will need to be working in a school for a term or more and have the support of your Headteacher. You will then need to contact a Designated Recommending Body (DRB), who will be able to advise you further on timescales and suitability of your post for assessment.
DRBs that work with Lambeth schools
South Bank University
Contact: Louise Keen
Telephone: 020 7815 5721
Email: keenl@lsbu.ac.uk
Website: www.lsbu.ac.uk
Equalitas
Contact: Dr. Vivienne Johnson
Telephone: 01892 513 881
Skills tests
All QTS assessment involves passing the national skills test in Maths, English and ICT, your DRB will advise you on this. For more information go to the TDA Skills Tests webpage
Finding work in Lambeth schools
Fixed term and permanent positions
You will need to apply directly to schools advertising positions as Lambeth are an equal opportunities employer and all jobs have to be advertised.
The best place to look for jobs in Lambeth schools are
Supply or temporary work
Lambeth runs its own supply teacher service, which can help teachers find short, long term and even permanent work.
More than 50% of Lambeth schools currently use the service - we also pay to scale, so you receive the correct pay for your qualifications and experience.
To register, or find out more about the service, please go to the Lambeth teaching webpage, telephone: 0207 926 9798 or email: candidateregistration@supreme-education.com