Guidance to schools appointing Newly Qualified Teachers _NQTs_

							                           APPENDIX E




Learning and Standards
CPD and Training Team




 Guidance to schools appointing
Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs)
              2007
Background…


This guidance has been produced to assist Headteachers when appointing NQTs to
teaching posts.

Traditionally NQTs completed their Initial Teacher Training (ITT) towards the end of the
summer term each year. They were then routinely awarded Qualified Teacher Status
(QTS) during the summer break and took up post as qualified teachers in September. In
recent years, however, there has been a growth in the number of different training routes
for teachers, resulting in NQTs being awarded QTS at different times during the year. In
addition, the introduction of Statutory Induction for NQTs and the requirement to
complete the three skills tests before QTS is awarded have further complicated the
appointment process. Please note that QTS is not awarded by the training provider
but by the General Teaching Council. Many schools making appointments to teaching
posts do so on the understanding that QTS will be awarded before the teacher takes up
the post.

The vast majority of trainee teachers completing their ITT course will satisfactorily meet
the standards, pass the skills tests and go on to be awarded QTC by the General
Teaching Council. However, occasionally QTS has not been awarded by the time the
person takes up the post. This means that they are unqualified teachers and should only
be given responsibilities commensurate with this status.
Governors are of course at liberty to pay the person as a fully qualified teacher, but this
could result in difficulties if the award of QTS is significantly delayed.

A teacher can only start statutory induction following the award of QTS. Induction
cannot be backdated and any induction carried out before the date of the award of QTS
would be invalid. In this instance, which has happened in a number of schools, it means
that the school would not be able to claim any further funding and the induction would
have to be repeated. For a person to knowingly claim that they have been awarded QTS
when they have not is fraud. More often than not, failure to realise that the award of
QTS will be delayed is attributable to naivety on the part of the candidate rather than a
desire to mislead to appointing school.
Checking whether the applicant has or will have QTS by the date
of appointment…


It is vital when appointing NQTs to ensure that all reasonable steps have been taken to
enable the school to satisfy itself that the award of QTS will be made prior to taking up
appointment as an NQT.

The following should be explored at interview as all could cause a delay in awarding
QTS:

      Has the applicant had any periods of absence during training which require
       an extension to their course?

      Has the applicant passed all three skills tests? (when these computer-based
       tests are successfully passed, the student is given three print-outs before leaving
       the test centre, to certify that the tests are passed)

      Has the applicant had any assignment(s) failed or deferred for re-
       assessment?

      Have all assignments been handed in on time?

      Has the student passed all school placements?

It is always advisable to ask the applicant whether they are aware of anything else which
could delay the award of QTS. Failure to give a truthful answer could lead to future
dismissal. If Headteachers are confident that none of the above apply, then it is possible
to be virtually certain that the award of QTS will not be delayed. However, only sight of
the GTC certificate provides absolute certainty.

Most QTS certificates are still issued during the summer dated 1st August each year, and
the Headteachers are advised to ask NQTs to forward a copy of the GTC certificate to
the school as soon as it arrives, and certainly before the NQT takes up post on the 1st
September.

For those NQTs completing courses at other times of year it is very unlikely that they will
receive their GTC certificate before taking up post. If the GTC certificate has not been
seen, then the Headteachers who commence induction with the NQT from the start of
the term do so at their own risk. If it later transpires that the date of award of QTS was
not as the applicant indicated, then the period of induction up to the date of QTS will be
invalid.
General guidance on the appointment of NQTs…


Some NQTs will move schools during their induction year. Given the number of
temporary contracts this is perfectly normal although not the ideal model for induction.
The regulations do mean that Headteachers need to be aware of an NQT’s employment
history and are advised to be alert to the following:

      Is the applicant’s employment history clear?

Are there any gaps in employment? If so can these gaps be explained to your
satisfaction?

      Has the NQT already started statutory induction in another school?

It is perfectly legitimate to ask the NQT to bring any statutory induction assessment
reports completed in a previous post. Some assessments may indicate that the NQT has
not made satisfactory progress towards the Induction Standards. Just because an NQT
did not make satisfactory progress in one term does not mean that they cannot do so,
but it is always advisable to explore the reasons for unsatisfactory progress at interview.
The appointing school is required to offer a programme of support to the NQT and it is
important that the school has the capacity to do this.

      Has the NQT worked as a supply teacher?

An NQT many only work as a supply teacher for 4 terms from the date when they first
worked as a supply teacher (4 term rule). This applies even if the teacher only worked
for a few days in each term, or had not worked at all after the initial date from which the
four term clock ‘started ticking’. If the NQT has run out of time, then they are only eligible
to be appointed to a post which counts towards their induction i.e. a period of a term or
more. It is particularly important to check this when making appointments of NQTs from
agencies. The NQT may not be eligible to be employed at all, even for a short term
supply work.

      Does the NQT have all necessary documentation?

All applicants to teaching posts should be asked to bring the original copies of degree
and QTS certificates to interview. NB A degree certificate even with wording referring
to the award of QTS is NOT proof of QTS. This award is only made by the General
Teaching Council.

Please do not hesitate to contact Miriam Kerr (Miriam.Kerr@learningtrust.co.uk or 0208
820 7556) or Aroha Duff (Aroha.Duff@learningtrust.co.uk or 0208 820 7570) for advice
on this guidance or any other matters relating to the appointment of NQTs.