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Original poster

Unqualified teacher increase of 60% in last 4 years

66 replies

noblegiraffe · 26/07/2017 11:43

The latest workforce survey appears to show that more than 5% of teachers are now unqualified. I really doubt they are all experts with PhDs who just couldn't be bothered to get QTS, and that children are being short-changed because the government keeps failing to meet its own recruitment targets and qualified teachers are leaving the profession in ever-increasing numbers.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-40720697

OP posts:
Original poster
noblegiraffe · 26/07/2017 19:33

How many Cambridge graduates with Physics degrees do you think are currently working on the unqualified teacher scale?

OP posts:
Allthebestnamesareused · 26/07/2017 19:32

I would guess also that as an independent school they are not restricted to payscales.

Allthebestnamesareused · 26/07/2017 19:30

I appreciate that having a degree in a subject doesn't necessarily make you a good teacher. I have also seen good teachers with frankly quite poor A level results (I used to be a governor).

There are also some teachers who have a pgce or other form of teacher training and they are still frankly not good teachers.

However, many people may teach their subject to fill some time or for other reasons. Therefore I would not have an issue per se in someone who has a Cambridge degree in Physics teaching physics to my son (which is what is happening).

His school has a 94% A*/A rate at GCSE (across all gcses) so I guess it works for them.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 26/07/2017 19:20

That's exactly what I'm talking about, mums. It's for experienced teachers who need to get QTS. Over the course of a few months they are expected to collect evidence that they meet the standards, submit a portfolio and are then awarded QTS. It is not a training route.

Your website says 'As an experienced teacher it is possible to gain QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) or EYTS (Early Years Teacher Status) without additional training through the Assessment Only route.'

The DfE say you should have at least two years' teaching experience in two different schools to be able to be assessed for QTS this way.

Any school that hires someone as an unqualified teacher expecting them to work for a couple of years with the carrot that they might put them through assessment after a couple of years has no obligation to train them, because it's not a training route. If those unqualified teachers are dropped in at the deep end with no support and can't do the job, they have no cause to complain, they are employees not trainees. These schools are diddling those people out of proper training, they could do Schools Direct, be paid, and get QTS in a year, while taking a recognised training route.

OP posts:
Cat0115 · 26/07/2017 19:17

I have just hosted a trainee on the assessment only route. She had been a youth worker for years and then a secondary T.A. She was a real find with great potential. I was sorry I couldn't offer a post for September.

mumsneedwine · 26/07/2017 18:57

www.reading.ac.uk/education/pgce-qts/ioe-assessment-only.aspx

In case any one fancies taking that job 😁

mumsneedwine · 26/07/2017 18:55

There are several Assessment only routes noble. I help with one ! It's for staff who have been teaching for several years (so working as unqualified !!!) and they then have to provide a portfolio of evidence and be assessed. Costs about £2000 so cheaper than PGCE and schools can help fund through CPD budget. It's quite a popular route for older people.

flyingwithwings · 26/07/2017 16:49

Regardless of QTS or non QTS qualified...

flyingwithwings · 26/07/2017 16:48

Maybe the next thing to happen will be to drop the QTS pay scale and just have a free for all !

You get what somebody or school is prepared to pay...

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 26/07/2017 15:53

Clever enough to go to Oxbridge, but not clever enough to get QTS and off the unqualified teacher pay scale?

OP posts:
Ifailed · 26/07/2017 15:52

Allthebestnamesareused

Having a degree in a subject doesn't make you a teacher.

Allthebestnamesareused · 26/07/2017 15:48

My DS Is at a super selective which employs a number of unqualified teachers who have Oxbridge degrees in their subjects.

He is at least being taught all 3 sciences and maths by people with relevant degrees rather than by a geography teacher like my friend's child.

Original poster
noblegiraffe · 26/07/2017 15:34

Or they could be suckers applying for jobs like this:

"Would you like to work as an Unqualified Science Teacher while gaining QTS through an assessment-only teacher training programme? "

There is no assessment-only teacher training programme.

www.indeed.co.uk/m/viewjob?jk=e7ad0668de39d307&from=serp

OP posts:
Anne2300 · 26/07/2017 15:05

Some of them would also be school direct (salaried) or teach first trainees, working towards QTS.

However, it is true that instead of paying qualified supply teachers, many schools are now using TAs/ HLTAs as PPA and sickness covers.

Bobbiepin · 26/07/2017 14:22

Are you surprised? This is what's happening in education now. Academies can hire whoever they want and they will hire whoever is cheapest. God forbid the big bosses sacrifice their bonus to make sure children have qualified teachers.

SaltyMyDear · 26/07/2017 14:20

Some of the them will be teachers who qualified overseas and who aren't UK qualified but are properly trained.

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