For some years, the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) have required a teacher to pass three skills tests, in numeracy, literacy and ICT, before being awarded QTS. The requirement does not apply to any teacher awarded QTS before 1 May 2000, and it is only those awarded QTS after 1 May 2002 who are required to pass all three.
There is a small cohort of teachers who have met all the QTS Standards except passing one, or all, of the relevant tests. In 2002 a regulation was introduced, allowing them to be employed as unqualified teachers for up to five years, a period that was subsequently extended by one year.
However, this provision will expire on 31 August 2008. From 1 September 2008, a teacher who has not passed all the relevant skills tests cannot be employed as an unqualified teacher, until such time as they do pass the tests. At that stage, they will be awarded QTS.
Any teacher who has not passed all the relevant skills tests should have been contacted by the General Teaching Council for England, asking the teacher to confirm their details by 31 January 2008. In respect of a teacher who had not responded by that date, or one who had not passed the relevant skills tests, GTCE will write to the headteacher and Local Authority, confirming that the person cannot work as a teacher beyond 31 August 2008 unless they pass the relevant test.
If a teacher in your school is in this position, it would be prudent to advise them to contact their own union or association for advice. The school should follow any guidance given by your provider of personnel services in terms of the action to take.
The above requirements only relate to maintained schools and non-maintained special schools in England, and not to the independent sector.
Further information about the situation can be found on the Training and Development Agency website, or on Teachernet.
link to TDA
link to teachernet
