OVERSEAS TRAINED TEACHER PROGRAMME

Who can qualify with London North Consortium?

The Overseas Trained Teacher Programme (OTTP) is an assessment route, designed for competent, experienced teachers from overseas, who wish to achieve Qualified Teacher Status. The OTTP does not involve extensive training or support, as the teachers who are accepted onto the programme are already operating at the level of qualified practitioners and they already have a recognised teaching qualification from abroad. This programme guides teachers through the evidence-based approach to demonstrating their competence.

How do I make an application?

The Training and Development Agency for Schools has given the Consortium a number of training grant funded places for Overseas Trained Teachers for the academic year 2010/11.

A number of additional unfunded places will also be available in the summer term 2011, at a cost of £1000 payable by the OTT or his/her school.

Application is closed for a start in September 2010. We are accepting applications now for a start in January 2011.  The application procedure for all OTTP places is as follows:

• All applicants are required to register for an application form; the form is only valid for the academic year 2010/11. Older versions of the application form will not be accepted and the application will be returned unprocessed.
• Registration for an application form can be made now. The form will be emailed to you.
• We will continue to accept applications until all available places have been allocated, or until a given date at the end of the preceding term.
• At that point, application will close for a particular start date. This will be announced on the website. Once all places have been allocated for September 2010 any subsequent applications will be considered for January 2011, then for April 2011.
• Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant and they will be informed of what is missing from the application. While there are still places available, applicants can resubmit their application once it is complete.

Do I need to get qualified in this country?

OTTs can teach for up to four years in this country, without seeking further qualification. From 1 September 2008, OTTs who have not obtained QTS within four years will not be allowed to continue teaching beyond four years. A QTS programme must be completed within the four year period, which ends four calendar years after the first day of teaching in a maintained school in England. The only possibility of extending the deadline is for those who have had statutory leave. Deadlines imposed on unqualified teachers, including OTTs, who carry out specified work will be extended to take account of statutory maternity, adoption, paternity or parental leave taken by the teacher. You must be able to supply evidence of statutory leave, if it is to be taken into account with your application.

Those wishing to qualify in England can now apply for Qualified Teacher Status and exemption from induction without the need for a detailed training plan.

In order to qualify for this assessment, an overseas trained teacher must have a recognised teaching qualification from abroad, at least two years experience of classroom teaching and meet the minimum requirements for entry to an initial teacher training course.

In order to qualify, you must demonstrate in an assessment that you meet the standards required of beginning teachers and those required of teachers in their induction year.

In order to be eligible for this programme, an overseas trained teacher must be employed as a teacher, on teachers’ pay and conditions. We cannot consider your application if you are employed in another capacity – for example Instructor, HLTA, LSA.

You should also refer to the information on Visas and Work Permits.

What qualifications do I need?

The following are the minimum requirements for entry to an initial teacher training course in England. These requirements are set by the Training and Development Agency for Schools and are not negotiable. Before being accepted for training, or assessment, you must prove that you have the following qualifications, or their equivalents.

The Consortium requires original qualification certificates to be submitted at the time of application. We use the NARIC database to ensure that your qualifications have UK equivalence. Written confirmation of the equivalence of your certificates will be obtained and paid for by the Consortium.

You need:

• GCSE, or equivalent (Age 16+, or school leaver’s certificate) in English Language, Mathematics, Science (if you are teaching in the primary age range)
• A Degree – Equivalent to a UK Bachelor Degree
• A Recognised Teaching Qualification (This enables you to teach children of school age, in another country.)

Please note that all qualifications are subject to equivalency checks. Where you submit a qualification that is not recognised either on the TDA·s equivalent qualifications list or on the NARIC database, you will be asked to provide further information before your application can be progressed.

GCSE equivalence and USA High School Diploma and Transcripts

Please refer to the section on GCSE equivalents for guidance on acceptance of this qualification.

What if I don’t have or can’t find my GCSEs?

Please refer to the section on GCSE equivalents for guidance on accepted GCSE equivalents and further information on GCSE Equivalency Tests.

What other eligibility criteria exists for Primary teachers?

A primary teacher must demonstrate that she/he is qualified to A Level, or equivalent (18+, or university entrance) in a national curriculum related subject. You must be able to communicate in spoken and written standard English. Your teaching qualification must be for primary age pupils.

What other eligibility criteria exists for Secondary teachers?

Secondary teachers must name a specialist subject, related to National Curriculum or taught to public examination, in which they have a qualification equivalent to UK degree level. You must be able to communicate in spoken and written standard English. Your teaching qualification must be for secondary age pupils.

In all cases original certificates are required to demonstrate that you meet these requirements. The Consortium will check overseas qualifications with UK NARIC, and deduct the cost of the inquiry from training funds allocated by the TDA. Should you withdraw your application at a later stage, you may be liable for this charge.

Does it matter where I took my teaching qualification?

Teachers from the European Community are likely to be considered qualified under reciprocal arrangements. If you are qualified as a teacher in the EC, you should contact the General Teaching Council to check your qualification. If your qualification is not acceptable, but you are a graduate, you may qualify for the graduate teacher programme.

I have a Disability. Will this stop me getting onto the programme?

Please refer to Equality of Opportunity for further information.

How is the Overseas Trained Teacher programme structured?

Once they have been offered a place all OTTs are required to attend one introductory session, prior to starting on the programme. Whilst on the programme OTTs will receive two support visits from a Consortium tutor and a final visit from an assessor. OTTs are required to carry out research whilst on the programme to demonstrate  their understanding of current initiatives.

Can I apply for an ‘Assessment Only’ place?

Please see the section on the Assessment Based Option, but note that this is not a suitable route for those who qualify as OTTs.  All our programmes aim to prepare candidates thoroughly for assessment  and to give them the techniques and tools to be secure in meeting the QTS standards and, where appropriate, the standards for Exemption from Induction.

Selection of Overseas Trained Teachers

The Consortium operates in the geographical area defined by its partners – the local authority schools in the seven London Boroughs listed on our home page. Applications from boroughs and counties close to London North will be considered only if associate places are available. This includes schools and candidates previously in partnership with the Urban Learning Foundation and the University of Gloucestershire.

The Consortium recognises that Overseas Trained Teachers are already qualified. However, in order to gain Qualified Teacher Status, an Overseas Trained Teacher must demonstrate the following. All candidates must satisfy the minimum requirements, as set out by the TDA:

• They must be able to communicate in Standard English.
• They must have GCSE, or equivalent, in English Language, mathematics and, if working in the primary phase, science.
• They must possess a first, or Bachelor degree · BA, B.Sc. etc, or its equivalent.
• They must be employed as a teacher by the school in which they wish to qualify. Those who wish to move schools during the programme must withdraw and re-apply with their new place of employment. Previous involvement in the programme is not a guarantee of a new place at a new school.
• Candidates must select an age range in which to qualify. The age range must be at least two consecutive key stages and evidence of competence across the age range must be provided for assessment. Overseas Trained Teachers normally apply for qualification in the same age range as their overseas qualification. We do not accept applications from Overseas Trained Teachers who are trained in one phase of education, but now working in another. (For example, a teacher trained to teach 7 to 12 year old pupils, now teaching in a London Secondary school.)
• Candidates must demonstrate that they can manage whole classes and that they have sound knowledge of the National Curriculum across two consecutive key stages. (Candidates working in special schools or in support roles in mainstream must provide evidence of competence in managing whole classes across the age range. This is usually achieved by arranging to teach an appropriate number of classes, over a suitable period of time in mainstream. Requirements will depend on relevant and recent experience. It is not possible to qualify while working solely in a Pupil Referral Unit.)
• Secondary candidates must be qualified to degree level in the subject they are teaching.
• Where an Overseas Trained Teacher is working in a school in special measures, or with serious weaknesses, the Consortium will only consider the application if it can be demonstrated that the Overseas Trained Teacher is operating as a qualified teacher and is adding value to the education of his/her pupils.
• You must ensure that you are registered in accordance with the most up to date information issued by the Independent Safeguarding Authority.