How to Get Qualified Teacher Status in England

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is your formal recognition as a trained teacher, allowing you to teach in most state-maintained schools in England. It’s not just a certificate – it’s proof that you have the skills, knowledge, and professional standards to make a real impact in the classroom.

Whether you’re a recent graduate, career changer, or teaching assistant ready to take the next step, the path to QTS is achievable with the right guidance, training, and support.

Step 1: Understand what QTS involves

QTS confirms that you meet the professional standards set by the Department for Education. This includes:

Strong subject knowledge.
The ability to plan, teach, and assess effectively.
Skills to create inclusive and safe learning environments.
A commitment to professional growth.

While it’s a legal requirement for many teaching roles in England, QTS also gives you greater career flexibility and enhances your professional credibility.

Step 2: Choose your training route

There are several ways to gain QTS, depending on your current qualifications and experience. Common routes include:

Undergraduate degree with QTS – Ideal if you’re starting university and want to qualify directly through your degree.
Postgraduate teacher training – Such as a PGCE, which combines academic study with school placements.
School-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) – Practical, classroom-based training delivered in partnership with local schools.
Assessment Only (AO) route – For experienced teachers without QTS who can evidence their skills through formal assessment.

Our teacher training programmes are designed to guide you through the process, offering hands-on experience, expert mentoring, and a clear path to achieving QTS.

Step 3: Gain classroom experience

All routes to QTS include time spent in schools. This is where you’ll develop practical teaching skills, learn how to manage classrooms, and understand the realities of day-to-day teaching.

Through our partnerships with schools across Essex, we ensure trainees have diverse placement opportunities, gaining experience in different settings and learning from skilled, supportive mentors.

Step 4: Complete your assessments

To be awarded QTS, you’ll be assessed against the Teachers’ Standards. This assessment may include:

Observation of your teaching.
Evidence of lesson planning, assessment, and pupil progress.
Reflection on your own professional development.

Our programmes ensure you’re fully prepared for assessment, with targeted feedback and support throughout your training.

Step 5: Continue your professional journey

Achieving QTS is only the beginning. Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) or Early Career Teachers (ECTs) continue to receive structured support in their first years, ensuring they grow in confidence and expertise.

At Catalyst Academies Trust, we work with schools to provide ongoing professional development, so our trainees don’t just achieve QTS – they thrive in their careers.

Start your journey to QTS today

Becoming a qualified teacher means shaping the future of education and making a lasting difference for pupils. If you’re ready to take the next step, explore our teacher-training programmes and see how we can support you to gain QTS and build a rewarding career in teaching.