teacher training - Leeds City College

Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS)status recognition in schoolsSince 1 April 2012, further education teacherswho have been awarded QTLS by the Institutefor Learning (IfL) and are members of theIfL are recognised as qualified teachers inschools. This will allow them to be appointed topermanent posts in state maintained schools inEngland and they will be paid on the qualifiedteachers’ pay scale.The IfL is the independent professional body forteachers, tutors, trainers and student teachers inthe further education (FE) and skills sector. Therole of IfL is to support professional developmentand excellence. All teachers and trainers workingin publicly funded further education and skillsprovision are required to register as members ofIfL, undertake CPD each year and abide by the IfLCode of Professional Practice.To be recognised as a qualified school teacher, aQTLS holder must maintain their IfL membership.QTLS is conferred by the IfL throughprofessional formation. Professional formationis the post-qualification process by which ateacher demonstrates, through the evidence ofprofessional practice, the ability to effectively usethe skills and knowledge acquired whilst trainingto be a teacher and the capacity to meet theoccupational standards required of a teacher.The time taken to complete professionalformation and achieve QTLS status will bedetermined by the individual circumstances ofthe teacher, for example, length of experience,full-time, part-time, fractional or sessional roleand in-service training.A person with QTLS status and membershipof the IfL will automatically be recognised as aqualified teacher in schools. There is no need forthem to apply to the Teaching Agency for QTS.A certificate from the IfL is sufficient evidence.FE teachers with other qualifications such asthe Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Sector,Certificate in Further Education Teaching or theFE Postgraduate Certificate of Education arenot recognised as qualified teachers. They canapply to the IfL for QTLS status which, onceawarded, would allow them to be recognisedas qualified teachers in schools. Alternatively,they would need to undertake a course of initialteacher training.The Institute for Learning holds and maintainsthe database of all QTLS holders.From 1st April 2012, schools and localauthorities can contact the IfL to check whetheran individual holds QTLS status.N.B. Please be aware that the guidance may beaffected by future developments related to theregulation of FE teacher training.This guidance was issued by Department forEducation last updated 6 May 2012.leedscitycollege.ac.uk | course.enquiry@leedscitycollege.ac.uk | 0113 386 1997 13