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GRADUATE AND REGISTERED TEACHER PROGRAMME
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

The aim of this document is to answer many of the questions that you may have about the Graduate and Registered Teacher Programme (including Overseas Trained Teacher Routes - OTT) run by the Robert Owen Learning Academy 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.

Some of the material reprinted reflects literature that you will receive or read in another form once you are involved with the programme. Importantly you must read all literature sent to you carefully since without responses to it a range of difficulties might ensue in both the application process and the subsequent inputs to the candidate.

Literature and details of the programme from the TTA can be obtained by logging on to:
www.tta.org.uk

Alternatively you might like to phone:
The Teaching Information Line: 0845 6000 991
GTP Help Line 0118 902 1916
OTT Help Line 0118902 1916

What is the GRTP?
The Graduate and Registered Teacher Programme is an employment-based route to allow candidates to obtain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) whilst being employed by a participating school. 'The Partnership' in conjunction with an associate school facilitates this process.

Who can undertake the GRTP?
Anyone holding a degree can undertake the Graduate Teacher Programme. Anyone with at least two years higher education (240 CATs Points) and within two years (part-time) of completing a degree can undertake the Registered Teacher Programme. Any formally Qualified Overseas Trained Teacher (those with a minimum of two years teaching experience might also be assessed for the Induction Standards). Please note that those within the European Community do not need to undertake this programme.

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 Partnership'
Tutor support from 'The Partnership'
Residential support from 'The Partnership' (Not OTT Route)

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

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. If the candidate already works for the school (say as a classroom assistant) then a secondment to a teaching post may be the best solution.

What are the roles and responsibilities of the participants?
The roles and responsibilities of the participant are designed to facilitate the candidate obtaining their Qualified Teacher Status. Full details of those roles and responsibilities is outlined in APPENDIX 1

Who can apply
Anyone who wishes to be a teacher and thinks they fulfil the criteria may apply. However they need to be aware that we are not a placement agency. If they are accepted on the programme they are still required to find a school willing to take them. We offer a range of advice on this process but the final onus is on the candidate to find a school.

What do candidates need to do in the application process?
They need to fill out an Expression of Interest Form available from the Administrator to the Graduate and Registered Teacher Programme or on line at mentoringworks.org.uk. This is then processed and provided the candidate has the required qualifications and potential to become a teacher they then undertake an interview.

What happens if a School has a Candidate?
The process is exactly the same in so much as the candidate proceeds to fill in an Expression of Interest Form. However, we are able to begin the process of collecting the school information material immediately.

What happens if I want to undertake a Registered Teacher Programme?
The process is very similar. However, in addition to filling in an Expression of Interest Form and finding a School the candidate is expected to show how they intend to achieve a degree in two years. Advice on that process needs to be obtained from the Advice Shops at local universities etc.

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 I am claiming degree equivalence?
We require an authenticated letter from the organisation awarding your qualification (normally a professional one) that it is of degree equivalence. In the case of OTTs then a NARIC check is undertaken.

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 through the partnership with the Robert Owen Consortium.

What is the training salary?
Currently, for some candidates in a competitive situation, there is attached to the Graduate Teacher Programme a training SALARY that is a contribution to that paid by the school. This is currently £13,000 and is paid to the school direct for salary purposes only. Alternatively (normally where the candidate is filling a vacancy) the school may employ the candidate and not seek to claim the training salary. In both instances the final allocation is competitive and dependent on the allocation made by the Teacher Training Agency to the 'The Partnership'. For candidates on a programme lasting less than a year the school receives a pro rata payment.

What is the Training grant?
This is a grant paid to the Recommending Body in order to facilitate the programme.

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
School Banking Details (Application for Salary Grant)
Declaration (Part D) signed by Head teacher and Chair of Governors

These documents must be filled in and returned to:

Mentoringworks
Mentoringworks
202a High St
Worle
Weston Super Mare
BS22 6JE

as quickly as possible in order to facilitate the completion of the application form to the TTA

What does the 'The Partnership' do in the process?
Provided all aspects of the process meet the relevant criteria, enter those accepted on the TTA Database

What are the criteria for acceptance?
The process is essentially competitive with a substantial but limited number of places available (some allocated by quotes to special categories like shortage subjects). The criteria used in selection are:
Quality of candidate
Quality of School (normally through the latest OfSTED report)
Quality of Training Programme
Ability of School to deliver the training programme

By when do applications have to be made?
Applications for GTP, RTP and OTT can be undertaken at any time. We normally have Induction start dates at the beginning of each term for the GTP and RTP programmes, though in exceptional circumstances we can start at any time. 'The Partnership' contacts those accepted on the programme after their interview.

How is Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) awarded?
By the development of a portfolio of evidence to satisfy the requirements of 4/98 which are the standards set by the DfES/TTA. At the end of the programme candidates undertake a final assessment (See APPENDIX 2). Subject to satisfactory completion of the literacy, numeracy and ICT tests set by the TTA (see the TTA Web Site for details) the candidates are then awarded 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.

We hope the above information answers the range of questions you might wish to know about the Graduate and Registered Teacher Programme. If you are a candidate, or a school with a candidate, the best way of proceeding is to fill in an Expression of Interest Form and then if there are any issues at that stage we can clarify them in the initial processing of the form.
We look forward to receiving the completed form.

Best wishes,
Mentoringworks / Robert Owen Consortium

Graduate and Registered Teacher Programme & Overseas Trained Teacher Route

GRTP 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

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


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

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APPENDIX 1

GRADUATE AND REGISTERED TEACHER PROGRAMME
OUTLINE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTICIPANTS
The Graduate and Registered Teacher Programme run by 'The Partnership' is designed to support candidates achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through a combination of inputs from the partners. It is furthermore designed to assist in the promotion of quality teaching such that candidates not only achieve QTS but also are fully prepared to move smoothly into their Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) year.

The process starts from the assumption that developing a programme of individual need will be complex and sensitive to the needs of both the candidate and the school. It will also recognise that the candidate is employed by the school and has expectations within that role as well as the requirement to provide a Portfolio of Evidence for their QTS final assessment.

The relationship between 'The Partnership', school mentor(s) and the candidate will therefore require negotiation around the following characteristics:
Recognise the employment status and past experience of the candidate
Focus support to the candidates developing needs
Recognise continuity in the development of support
Set suitable goals to promote progression in the candidate's skills

The consequence of these requirements is that all the participants need to recognise their role in the process and seek to support each other as and when required in the achievement of the common goal. In consequence the following framework of roles and expectations is highlighted as the basis for negotiation and development of the support programme.

As a result the framework will normally have the following elements of support:

SCHOOL - MENTOR(s)

Will be expected to attend the Induction programme run by 'The Partnership'
Will be expected to be the main focus of support in the school
Will be expected to meet the candidate to discuss progress and development on a regular basis
Will be expected to provide proposed action plans on a regular basis for the candidate to achieve the standards of QTS as set out in 4/98
Will be expected to draw, as and when required, on the support frameworks provided by 'The Partnership' to assist in the achievement of the standards
Will provide, if appropriate, materials available from within the school (this is particularly relevant in the development of subject knowledge support)
Will monitor, on a regular basis, the progress of the candidate
Will provide, as and when available, opportunity for the candidate to attend normal support inputs provided by the school for Staff/ITT students (e.g. INSET programmes, Programmes for NQT, Programmes for ITT Placements)

TRAINEE
Will be expected to meet and work with the mentor(s) in school to promote their teaching expertise
Will be expected to keep a record of all their work in the school to provide evidence for their final Portfolio of Evidence
Will be expected to attend the Induction programme run by 'The Partnership' (Not OTT route).
Will be expected to attend the Residential programmes provided by 'The Partnership' (Not OTT Route)
Will be expected to use the support materials provided by 'The Partnership', in negotiation with their mentor(s), in order to develop their Portfolio of Evidence
Will be expected to attend, as directed by the mentor(s), any support programmes (e.g. INSET programmes, Programmes for NQT, Programmes for ITT Placements) offered by the school
Will be expected to make themselves available for monitoring visits from 'The Partnership to assess progress

'The Partnership'
Will provide all the initial support and administration to gain a place on the GRTP/OTT programme provided by the TTA
Will provide an Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) for the candidate
Will provide an induction programme for the mentor(s) (not OTT)
Will provide residential programmes for the candidate (not OTT)
Will provide support materials for the mentor(s) and candidate
Will work with the school and candidate to monitor the nature of support provided and ensure continuity and progression in the development towards and achievement of the standards
Will visit the school to monitor the progress of the candidate concerning their progress and development of the Portfolio of Evidence
Will provide extra support to the candidate if the school or 'The Partnership' notes any specific areas of concern
Will provide the framework for the final assessment of the Portfolio of Evidence
Will develop and provide a Career Entry Profile for the candidate
Will make the recommendation concerning Qualified Teacher Status to the external assessors

As indicated in the introduction, the above needs to be placed in the context of the requirements of the candidate and the school. Individual programmes will be negotiated personally and sensitively and ensure that they are:

Focused on the needs of the candidate
Based on regular feedback and monitoring
Regularly discussed
Regularly developed
Regularly progressed

After all the focus of our attention should not be an over emphasised concern for paperwork to the detriment of candidates and ultimately the interests of the pupils they teach.

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APPENDIX 2

GRADUATE AND REGISTERED TEACHER PROGRAMME

FINAL ASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS
The final assessment arrangements are designed to facilitate the formal requirements of the Teacher Training Agency in validating that the candidate has achieved the requirements of the Teacher Training Agency (TTA). This necessitates them to produce a Portfolio of evidence to substantiate that they have achieved all the required standards as set out in Circular 'Qualifying to Teach'. The formal requirement, as detailed by the Teacher Training Agency, is that 'The Partnership', in conjunction with the school, make a recommendation that QTS should be awarded. This is moderated through the normal quality assurance procedures of 'The Partnership'. The length of programme detailed by 'The Partnership'. The final assessment should normally be completed by that date though adjustments forward or backward can be made depending on changes in personal circumstances or if the Recommending Body thinks the candidate has fulfilled all the requirements in producing their Portfolio of Evidence. 'The Partnership' will verify the award of QTS as soon after the final assessment date as possible and then complete the necessary form provided by the TTA to send to the General Teaching Council. If there are any disputes regarding the final assessment and verification process then an appeals process is available for candidates.

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