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QTS AO – Teaching Assessment Ready

QTS AO – Teaching Assessment Ready
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Course Overview

This Qualified Teacher Status – Assessment Only (QTS AO) course allows teachers to demonstrate that they already meet all the QTS standards, without the need for any further training. If you have a degree and substantial experience working in a school, early years, or further education setting, this option allows you to gain QTS without undergoing a teacher training programme.

QTS is an English (UK) teaching qualification, application for registration with the Teaching Council of Ireland can subsequently be made through the “qualified abroad route” and is reviewed by the council on a case-by-case basis. The QTS AO process must be completed at a school in Ireland.

This programme is teaching out and is not open to new applicants.

Level Postgraduate
Blended Learning
Duration 1 year
1st Year Fees €3,995.00
Start date TBC

The QTS Assessment Only (AO) route is a fast-track option for experienced teachers, typically lasting 12 – 16 weeks. It’s designed for those already teaching who can demonstrate they meet the required teaching standards without further training.

Candidates provide evidence of their teaching skills through a portfolio, classroom observations, and interviews. Assessment usually takes place in the candidate’s current school or a secured placement if they are not currently teaching.

Key features of the QTS AO route:

  • Short Duration: Typically completed in 12 – 16 weeks.
  • Experience-Based: Aimed at teachers with at least two years of experience.
  • Direct Assessment: Candidates are evaluated on existing skills through lesson observations and portfolio submission.
  • Primary and Secondary: Available for both primary and secondary teachers, with secondary candidates assessed in their subject specialism.
  • No Formal Training: Focuses solely on assessing current competencies, not further training.

Awarded by Liverpool John Moore’s University (LJMU), graduates will hold an instantly recognised qualification from one of the world’s leading universities. This programme is teaching out and is not open to new applicants.

The QTS AO element is “Assessment Only” and it requires you to build evidence on our online system of your portfolio of experience. 

There are 2 phases to this programme – pre-assessment and the formal assessment phase. 

During the pre-assessment phase, you will prepare your portfolio – this will be audited against the teaching standards and areas for development will be identified to be completed during the formal assessment phase.

The formal assessment phase takes place over a 12-week placement block during which you will receive two formal assessment visits.

  1. 1
    This programme is teaching out and is not open to new applicants.

All fees are payable to Portobello Institute.

Blended Learning

Course: €3,995

€3,995.00 Year 1 total fee

All fees are payable to Portobello Institute.

Blended Learning

Option 1

30% deposit payment (€1,227.00), followed by 2 scheduled payments on the first of each month, commencing the 1st of the month after the start date of the course. Includes one off instalment fee of €95.

  • €1,431.50 due in month 1
  • €1,431.50 due in month 2
Through Portobello Institute’s partnership with Heritage Credit Union, eligible students may be able to access a Start Back Loan to help make course fees more manageable. It is one more way we support students to start, change or progress their career with confidence. Find out more here.

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