OVERSEAS TRAINED TEACHER PROGRAMME
The aim of this document is to answer many of the questions that you may have about the Overseas Trained Teacher Routes (OTT) run by Robert Owen Consortium and mentoringworks ('The Partnership'). Whilst we cannot guarantee, given the highly individualised nature of the programme, that we can answer every question, we nevertheless think that our experience in running the programme indicates that in the main those questions identified below would seem to be the main ones asked by schools and potential candidates.

This material should always be read in conjunction with literature you may have obtained from the Teacher Training Agency.

Background
If you qualified as a schoolteacher in another country you will need to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) before you can work as a permanent, qualified teacher in England. The TTA's Overseas Trained Teacher Programme gives Overseas Trained Teachers (OTTs) the opportunity to gain QTS while they work in a school.
There are special arrangements that give Overseas Trained Teachers the option of presenting themselves for QTS assessment without further training. Alternatively if an OTT needs training to help them prepare for QTS assessment, the TTA will pay a small training grant to the Recommending Body. On the OTT programme the school pays the trainee's salary.
Overseas Trained Teachers with at least two years' teaching experience may be eligible for assessment against the Induction Standards and QTS Standards at the same time. Those who are successful will be exempted from serving an induction period.

For more information
For full details of how you can qualify for QTS through employment-based training please consult the TTA's guidance notes for OTTs (see TTA Web Site at www.tta.gov.uk)
The Teacher Training Agency has set up an Overseas Trained Teachers advice line (01245 454321). Alternatively, you can e-mail ott@ttainfo.co.uk

For advice on work permits contact: Work Permits (UK) on 0114 259 4074.

Overseas Trained Teachers who were trained in the European Economic Area may be eligible for QTS under mutual recognition arrangements and should first contact the General Teaching Council for England 0870 001 0308 (select option 5 for advice on qualifications) or email: registration@gtce.org.uk

If you are interested in gaining QTS through taking a course (e.g. PGCE) please contact the Teaching Information Line (0845 6000 991) for further information about all routes to QTS.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

'The Partnership' and the Overseas Trained Teacher Route?
The Overseas Trained Teacher Programme is an employment-based route to allow candidates to obtain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) whilst being employed by a participating school. mentoringworks, in conjunction with the partner school, facilitates this process.

Who can undertake the OTT?
Anyone holding a degree and a teacher training qualification can apply to undertake the Overseas Trained Teacher route to QTS. In addition those with a minimum of two years verified and logged teaching experience might also be assessed for the Induction Standards. (The induction standards are those required by the Government to be taken subsequent to obtaining QTS). All qualifications (including the English and Mathematics GCSE comparability) have to be checked through the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) telephone 01242 260010.

What does the programme entail?
The programme is designed to fit in with the candidate and school requirements. It is based on:
Induction for both candidate, school and mentor
Mentor support in the School
Materials provided by the 'The Partnership'
Monitoring and tutoring from the 'The Partnership'

What do candidates need to do in the application process?
Initially candidates, through their school, need to set up an advisory visit. The advisory visit helps you and your school assess your options before you consider the type of application to be made.
You will need to fill out an Expression of Interest Form available from Mentoringworks. Subsequent to the initial Expression of Interest and relevant qualifications being received by Mentoringworks, a tutor will visit the school and discuss with you the most appropriate route to achieve QTS.
Following the visit you will be advised of one of the following
1a. Application for immediate QTS assessment
1b. If you have at least two years' full-time teaching experience (or the part-time equivalent) you can apply for combined assessment against the QTS Standards and the Induction Standards at the same time
You can apply to undertake a training programme leading to QTS Assessment
The questions below now mainly deal with the situation where you require assistance to complete the application form and undertake some programme to prepare for assessment

How long does a programme take?
In most normal cases, the programme will take one term for OTT. For candidates working less than a full week this may be extended, whilst candidates demonstrating considerable teaching experience and expertise through an Accreditation of their Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) may take less.

What is the candidate status?
The school MUST employ the candidate as a teacher. The contractual arrangements are those negotiated between the candidate and the school.

What are the roles and responsibilities of the participants?
The roles and responsibilities of the participants in the programme are designed to facilitate the candidate obtaining their Qualified Teacher Status. Full details of those roles and responsibilities will be outlined on the interview.

What happens if my degree is not in a National Curriculum Subject?
You may still apply since a breakdown of a modular degree may show considerable range of expertise in particular disciplines. However if there is insufficient National Curriculum Knowledge you may be expected to undertake a further interview to ascertain your Subject Knowledge level or to undertake further study in an area before being eligible for the programme.

What happens if the candidate has not obtained GCSE equivalence of grade C in Maths, English and in some instances Science?
You may still apply but will be required to undertake equivalence tests organised by us through 'The Partnership'.

What does the school need to do in the application process?
The school will be given a pack of material containing the following requirements

School Information
School Experience of ITT
Subjects and Key Stages the candidate will teach
Full Ofsted Report
Declaration signed by Head Teacher and Chair of Governors
Declaration signed by the Candidate
Supporting Statements or Teaching Observations (if applicable)

These documents must be filled in and returned to 'Mentoringworks as quickly as possible.

When do we know the result?
Subject to all the paperwork being submitted, Mentoringworks checks and verifies qualifications then contacts to arrange an initial visit. On completion of a successful initial visit, a QTS skills test registration member is sent directly to the candidate.

How is Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) awarded?
By the development of a portfolio of evidence to satisfy the requirements of Qualifying to Teach, which are the standards, set by the DfES/TTA. At the end of the programme candidates undertake a final assessment and subject to satisfactory completion of the literacy, numeracy and ICT tests set by the TTA (see the TTA Web Site www.tta.gov.uk for details) the candidates are then recommended for the award of QTS.

What happens after QTS is awarded?
Candidates have to complete their Newly Qualified Teacher year. This is a personal development programme organised by the school through consideration of the Career Entry and Development Profile provided as part of the final assessment.

What happens if I have not got a degree?
If you have teaching qualification but no degree then you may be eligible for the Registered Teacher Programme (RTP)

The RTP is for people who have at least two years of higher education or the equivalent and can complete a degree while they train and work as a teacher. The programme takes at least a year, normally two, and your school will need to work with both mentoringworks and a Higher Education Institution able to provide a suitable 'top-up' degree programme.
If, by the time you have completed the RTP, you have the equivalent of two years' full-time teaching experience, you can request combined assessment against the QTS Standards and the Induction Standards.

Conclusion
We hope you have found the above information useful. If you have any further questions to ask please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward hearing from you and hopefully assisting you to achieve QTS.

Overseas Trained Teacher Programme
Contact Details

OTT Programme
Mentoringworks
202a High St
Worle
Weston Super Mare
BS22 6JE
Telephone/Fax 01934 515000
Mobile 07855 748211
E-mail admin@mentoringworks.org.uk
davidd@mentoringworks.org.uk

OTT Programme
Mentoringworks
91 Bransford Road
WORCESTER
WR2 4ET
Telephone/Fax: (01905) 425304
(Mobile: 07770 860262)
E-mail: georgem@mentoringworks.org.uk


OTT Programme
Robert Owen Consortium
Castlefields
Leominster
Herefordshire
HR6 8BG
Telephone: (01568) 615510
Fax: (01568) 615340
E-mail: admin@robertowen.org




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