Assessment Only QTS Explained: A Strategic Pathway for Experienced Teachers

There is a tendency for schools to view the Assessment Only (AO) route as a “fast track” pathway to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). This simplistic label, while highlighting its efficiency, inadvertently overshadows its strategic value for school leaders and the rigorous demands it places on candidates.

Far from being a shortcut, AO is a robust, evidence-based pathway designed for experienced practitioners who have already demonstrated their mastery of the Teachers’ Standards. When properly understood and strategically deployed, AO emerges as an indispensable tool for both retention and recruitment, offering significant benefits to individuals, schools, and the wider educational landscape.

This article aims to reclaim the narrative around the Assessment Only route and offer our unique provider perspective on facilitating it.

Dispelling Myths and Highlighting Rigour

The most persistent misconception surrounding AO is that it represents an “easier” or “less demanding” pathway to QTS. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Unlike ITT programmes where individuals learn how to teach, AO candidates must prove they already can teach—consistently, effectively, and to a high standard—across two key stages in a minimum of two school settings. The process focuses on verification, not instruction.

AO candidates are not novices. They’re professionals who have developed their skills through extensive unqualified teaching roles and, in many cases, significant overseas experience. Their training has occurred organically through practical classroom experience. The AO route simply provides a formal framework to assess this against the Teachers’ Standards.

How KMT Delivers the AO Process

At KMT, we’ve designed a 12-week AO process that is thorough and stringent at every level. It includes:

• A comprehensive portfolio of teaching evidence demonstrating consistent application of the Teachers’ Standards
• Multiple classroom observations by experienced assessors across the full range of the candidate’s phase
• Lesson plans and reflective practice assignments exploring behaviour management, adaptive teaching, and curriculum progression
• In-depth professional discussions covering safeguarding, assessment for learning, and educational theory

Our processes are subject to external scrutiny, ensuring that QTS awarded via AO is equivalent in standard to that awarded through ITT routes.

AO is a rigorous benchmark for experienced, unqualified teachers. It validates their capabilities and confirms their ability to contribute effectively to any school environment.

AO as a Retention and Recruitment Tool

The demanding nature of AO makes clear who it’s for: individuals already excelling in the classroom—not those new to teaching. It is designed for experienced, unqualified teachers who have been teaching for at least two years and meet all eligibility criteria.

For these professionals, AO offers:

• Formal recognition of existing skills and experience
• Career progression and enhanced professional standing
• A practical route to QTS without repeating what they’ve already mastered

The School’s Strategic Role

From a school’s perspective, supporting an AO candidate is a highly strategic move. It prevents the loss of effective staff who need QTS to progress and demonstrates a commitment to professional development. This, in turn, boosts morale, improves retention, and nurtures internal talent pipelines.

Funding an AO candidate also sends a powerful message: “We value you, believe in your potential, and are willing to invest in your growth.”

In many cases, AO candidates may be eligible for accelerated induction once awarded QTS, which can translate into cost and resource savings for schools.

AO also plays a key role in “grow your own” strategies—empowering schools to build a sustainable, high-calibre workforce tailored to their unique context.

KMT’s Perspective as a Provider

KMT has delivered the Assessment Only route for over six years. Our philosophy is grounded in the belief that experience and proven competence deserve formal recognition.

We approach AO as a vital mechanism to support the development of unqualified teachers and to address ongoing supply challenges. Our process is built on three key pillars:

1. Expert Assessors

Our team includes experienced teachers and school leaders with deep pedagogical knowledge. They conduct rigorous assessments and engage candidates in meaningful professional dialogue.

2. Structured Support and Guidance

Although AO is not a training route, we offer extensive guidance to candidates and schools, including handbooks and dedicated support throughout the process.

3. Collaborative Partnership

We work closely with schools from application to award, ensuring that the candidate’s evidence is authentic, and that they have the opportunity to showcase their skills fully.

While AO is not a training programme, many candidates describe it as a transformative professional experience. Successful candidates often express pride, validation, and excitement about their future in the teaching profession. For assessors, recommending QTS is incredibly rewarding—marking the culmination of the candidate’s dedication and professionalism.

Looking Ahead: AO and the Future of Teacher Qualification

With the introduction of the Children’s Wellbeing Schools Bill, the Assessment Only route will become even more significant. From September 2026, all new teachers must have, or be working towards, QTS. AO will be an essential part of meeting this demand.

We are already seeing growth in AO applications, particularly from schools using it to formalise the status of unqualified staff or attract experienced overseas teachers. AO also aligns with the push for more flexible, non-linear career pathways in education.

Conclusion: Reclaiming the Narrative

It’s time to move beyond the “fast track” label and fully recognise the strategic value of the Assessment Only route. AO provides a rigorous, evidence-based pathway for experienced practitioners to gain QTS.

By investing in AO, schools aren’t just qualifying teachers—they are cultivating a skilled, motivated workforce. Adaptable, efficient qualification routes like AO are essential for the future of education, and KMT is proud to lead the way in delivering them.

Find out more about Assessment Only with KMT

To discover how the KMT Assessment Only route can work for you, contact Clare Foulsham, KMT Assessment Only Lead, on 07708 478329 or send an email to clare.foulsham@kmtraining.org.uk.