The Overseas-trained Teacher Programme

STTORMM works with schools across Greater Manchester (and sometimes further afield) in support of the Overseas-trained Teacher Programme (OTTP). Schools will wish to secure qualified teacher status (QTS) for Overseas-trained Teachers (OTTs) who are employed on a medium or long-term basis. The OTTP runs for a minimum of one term and a maximum of three terms.

Applications

Applicants for OTTP must have the following:

• employment in a school with regular teaching responsibility for full classes
• an overseas teaching qualification
• evidence of UK degree (or equivalent, in which case this may be the same as the overseas teaching qualification)
• GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent) in Maths and English
• GCSE Grade C or above (or equivalent) in Science (primary applicants only)

All overseas qualifications must be verified by UK NARIC (www.naric.org.uk).

The OTTP Application Form can be found at the bottom of this page.

Schools

Applications for OTTP will be accepted only where the OTT is employed by a school and has regular teaching responsibility for full classes. Schools are likely to agree to support OTT applications when they are confident about the OTT’s teaching skills, potential, and familiarity with the National Curriculum. Where an OTT has significant experience of UK schools, the OTTP may be a straightforward process in which STTORMM will verify existing evidence of teaching skills against the QTS Standards. OTTs with less experience may require a longer programme with a more substantial training element.

Please note that STTORMM is not in a position to secure employment in schools for OTTs.

OTTs may find it difficult to gain employment as teachers unless they are able to evidence the match between their skills and knowledge, and the National Curriculum.

Many OTTs raise their awareness of the National Curriculum and of school routines by working as teaching assistants or learning mentors before seeking employment as teachers.

Final Assessments

Final Assessment for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) will involve observation of teaching, scrutiny of documentation, and discussions with both the OTT and her/his mentor or head of department. OTTs are required to meet the Professional Standards for QTS, details of which can be found at www.tda.gov.uk/partners/ittstandards/standards.aspx.

Final Assessment takes place across two consecutive Key Stages (and in the same subject for secondary OTTs). OTTs are also required to complete the QTS Skills Tests in maths, English and ICT.

Successful completion of both Final Assessment and the Skills Tests results in the recommendation of the award of QTS by the General Teaching Council (GTC). When the OTT has significant experience of UK schools, the assessor may choose to assess against both the teaching and induction standards. In this case, the recommendation may include exemption from the statutory induction period for newly qualified teachers.

Funding

STTORMM receives a limited number of Training Grant funded places for OTTP. There are no remaining places for 2005/06, and five such places are available for both 2006/07 and 2007/08. Training Grant places are allocated to schools on a first-come first-served basis and are only available to schools in STTORMM’s partner Local Authorities (LAs). STTORMM retains OTTP Training Grants to cover central costs. Schools which are allocated Training Grant places will not be subject to charges from STTORMM.

Where a Training Grant place is not available, schools which employ OTTs may wish to bear the cost of OTTP themselves. Charges will always include STTORMM’s central fee of £740. Further charges will be made for the monitoring and observation carried out by a visiting consultant from STTORMM; these charges will be agreed in advance by the headteacher and STTORMM’s training manager.

The cost of Final Assessment will always be covered by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA).

Documentation

OTTP Application Form ABC (Word, 364Kb)
The first three sections of the application form which are to be completed by applicants and schools.

OTTP Application Form D (Word - not yet available)
Information about the school and its ability to deliver the programme and support the OTTP. This form is to be completed by the school.

Applications should be returned by email to info@sttormm.co.uk.

Copies of qualifications should be returned by post to STTORMM and must be accompanied by UK NARIC verification. Click contact us for STTORMM’s address details.