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Assessment Only

Are you an experienced teacher without QTS?

Would you like to qualify within a short period of time?

Do you want to further your career and increase your salary?

Assessment Only (AO) is a great route for experienced teachers who do not have QTS but who are good or excellent teachers (and therefore who do not require any training). It is for teachers who have taught for two years or more, in two or more contrasting schools (with a placement being able to fulfil the second school or contrasting criteria if they do not already have this), and experience in two consecutive key stages. Candidates must have an undergraduate degree, though for some candidates who have several years of advanced Jewish study (e.g. rabbinic semicha) we may be able to offer a process by which this can be recognised as equivalent to a degree for the purpose of becoming a qualified teacher via the AO route.

The LSJS AO route to QTS is available in UK primary and secondary schools, special schools, state funded, free schools, academies and independent schools. It can also sometimes be carried out in nurseries. Candidates can be assessed either as a primary teacher of core National Curriculum subjects or as a secondary teacher in a subject.

It is a quick route (generally 12 weeks or fewer) during which AO candidates are assessed through lesson observations, a Teachers' Standards portfolio of evidence and a test of their fundamental literacy and numeracy English and Maths skills. You will need the active support of your school who will be expected to appoint a supportive mentor who has QTS and will get lots of personalised support and guidance from LSJS at each stage of the process.

Entry Requirements and How To Apply

Candidates must:

  • Have taught for 2 years (full time equivalent)
  • Have taught in two or more schools, including contrasting schools (or be able to complete an appropriate placement, which we will give guidance on)
  • Hold a UK first degree, or equivalent (or if they have undertaken several years of advanced Jewish study, eg semicha, must be deemed by us to be eligible for and then successfully complete our process to recognise their study as equivalent to a degree for QTS purposes )
  • Hold GCSEs in English and Maths - and in Science for primary school candidates - graded C/4 or higher, or equivalent
  • Meet the Teacher Standards i.e. teacher training not required
  • Currently teach in a school in England

Candidates who do not quite yet meet all of the criteria are encouraged to contact us for advice on what they need to do in order to meet the criteria.

Please read the useful overview of AO with LSJS that you can find here and email our Academic Registrar [email protected] for the more detailed AO handbook and an application form.

 

Selection Process

All candidates will take part in a rigorous selection process designed to assess their:

a) suitability to teach, (by observation in your school) and

b) ability to demonstrate meeting all the standards for QTS without the need for any substantial further training.

Please see the link in the "entry requirements" section for an overview of this process.

Fees & funding

FEES AND FUNDING 

AO costs £2,500 (a deposit of £300 at the point of applying and separate payments of £700 and £1500 at specific points in the process). It can be paid for by the candidate OR their school OR split between the candidate and their school.

Please see the handbook for details of any additional costs that could be incurred.

Teacher Training

1 year, full-time

SCITT - School Centred Initial Teacher Training (Primary)

 

Assessment Only

London School of Jewish Studies

 

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