Qualified Teacher Status Conversion Course - Secondary

Entry requirements

You must be employed as a teacher in an independent or state-maintained secondary school and be teaching your subject for a minimum of 50% of a full timetable. You must be teaching across two consecutive key stages.

You will be expected to have the following qualifications:

• A degree from a UK University or equivalent.
• GCSE in English and Maths at grade C or above (or equivalent).

In addition you must:

• Pass Skills Tests prior to interview.
• Provide a reference from your headteacher supporting your application to undertake a PGCE.
• Obtain the commitment from your school to release you for the second school placement and to provide a suitable mentor.
• Provide a satisfactory criminal records check and show the physical and mental fitness to teach.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Course outline

The QTS Conversion Course is available to teachers who are currently employed in maintained or independent schools in England, and who have already completed the University of Buckingham’s Independent PGCE. This course is the accreditation that enables teachers to teach in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales.

Course content

The Secondary QTS Conversion Course is a 37-week school-based course during which time you will work under the guidance of a mentor and receive weekly tutorials to review your progress and to set targets. You will be assigned a University tutor who will visit twice during the course of the year to assess your progress against the Standards and guide your development.

You are expected to undertake a teaching placement in a second school which must be a non-selective state maintained secondary school. The duration of this teaching placement is determined upon interview, but is likely to be for three weeks.

Fees and funding