Teacher trainees must “continue to engage” with their course “to its end” during the coronavirus crisis in order to qualify, the government has said.
The Department for Education (DfE) said last month that trainees on track to meet theby the end of their course should be recommended for qualified teacherstatus (QTS), even if they are unable to finish their placements.
However published today states that trainees in this position “must continue to participate in their course to its end in order to be recommended forQTS”.
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Teacher training:QTS will be based on progress judgements
The DfE says that schools and universities “should continue to deliver” their initial teacher training (ITT)courses “as a general principle”.
It adds that providers should make an initial judgement on trajectory towards meeting the teachers’ standards based on assessments already completed.
They should then refine this judgement based on trainees’ progress through the remainder of their course, and confirm at the end of the course whether they will be recommended forQTS.
The DfE is yet to provide any guidanceabout how to manage trainees who were at risk of failing their placements at the time closures were imposed.
The document adds: “Further guidance will be provided as soon as possible for those trainees not already meeting the teachers’ standards or who are not on a trajectory to meet the teachers’ standards at the end of their course.
“The assessment and recommendation for the award ofQTSwill remain solely at the provider’s discretion and providers are able to undertake such assessments based on their professional judgement and expertise.
“These allowances do not, under any circumstances, give trainees a‘free pass’andITTproviders should not make any recommendation forQTSwithout giving full consideration to a trainee’s progress and available evidence.”
