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Overview
- AO route enables experienced school/college staff to gain QTS based on evidence and assessment, not training.
- Suitable for those with minimum 2 years (FTE) successful teaching experience.
- Designed for unqualified teachers, instructors, cover supervisors, HLTAs, and FE lecturers now working in schools.
- Programme length is 12 weeks. Not suitable for those needing training.
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Candidate Expectations and Experience Requirements
Candidates:
- Must demonstrate they meet all Teachers’ Standards and be reflective, knowledgeable, effective practitioners.
Successful candidates are expected to demonstrate that they:
- Are reflective practitioners who meet the Teachers’ Standards and apply skills, knowledge, and understanding flexibly in a variety of school settings
- Can relate theory to practice and critically evaluate educational aims and values.
They must show they are:
- Able to debate educational issues and justify their views.
- Effective classroom managers, sensitive and responsive to pupils’ needs to promote learning.
- Confident, imaginative and flexible curriculum planners.
- Knowledgeable in the breadth of the National Curriculum.
- Able to use ICT effectively in teaching.
- Astute, fair and self‑critical assessors, able to evaluate pupils’ work and their own teaching.
- Well informed professionals regarding school organisation and the wider role of schools in society.
- Committed teachers who set high standards for themselves and their pupils.
- Able to recognise and value continued professional development.
Experience Requirements
- Must be working as an effective teacher in a recognised school/setting.
- Must have taught in at least two schools/settings within the last 5 years, at least 6 weeks in a second school/setting.
- Should have experience across age and ability ranges and, for special schools, evidence of mainstream experience.
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Assessment and School (Host) Expectations
Assessment Components
- Assessment is based on a portfolio of evidence showing how the candidate meets the Teachers’ Standards.
- Includes observations of successful teaching carried out by both the school and SCIL assessors.
- Requires a subject knowledge assessment.
- Concludes with a final Viva.
- Candidates must provide evidence of meeting the Teachers’ Standards across two or more consecutive key stages.
School (Host) Expectations
- Provide timetable enabling evidence across two consecutive age ranges.
- Provide an experienced mentor for feedback and support.
- Mentor to observe candidate teach weekly and hold weekly meetings with candidate
- Support SCIL assessor visits and sign relevant paperwork
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Entry requirements and Interview process
Entry Criteria
- Hold a good Honours Degree (3.0 classification or better) or equivalent; ENIC equivalency required for overseas awards.
- GCSE Grade 4/C or above in Maths, English Language and Science. ENIC equivalency required for overseas GCSEs.
- Must be in a role providing teaching opportunities and have been observed teaching at least ‘Good’.
- Minimum 2 years FTE teaching across two key stages and two schools.
Interview Includes
- ID and safeguarding checks.
- 20-minute PowerPoint of evidence demonstrating you can meet the Teachers’ Standards
- Formal Interview – subject knowledge assessment, communication skills review, and evaluation of teaching experience.
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How to apply
Fees
- £3,300 for April 2026 – March 2027 – payable by the candidate or host school
- Additional travel costs for visits outside the South-West.
- Late withdrawal fee £250.
The fee will be invoiced once the candidate has been accepted onto the AO course and has been given their start date.
How to apply:
Please complete the following application form:
Completed application forms (including Section 8 – Declaration and Partnership Agreement – signed by you and your headteacher), copies of your GCSE and degree evidence to be sent via email to: SCIL@somerset.gov.uk
Find out More
- 📞 ITT and SCIL 0300 123 1967
- 📧 scil@somerset.gov.uk