Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) Conversion Course – Secondary

Course outline

The QTS Conversion Course is available to teachers who are currently employed in maintained or independent schools in England, and who have already completed the University of Buckingham’s Independent School PGCE. This course is the accreditation that enables teachers to teach in state-maintained and special schools in England and Wales.

The Secondary QTS Conversion Course is a 37-week school-based course during which time you will work under the guidance of a mentor and receive weekly tutorials to review your progress and to set targets. Trainees on the QTS conversion complete 15 Professional Learning Activities over the duration of the programme, meet with their mentor 15 times and have 15 lesson observations. You will be assigned a University tutor who will visit twice during the course of the year to assess your progress against the Standards and guide your development.

You are expected to undertake a teaching placement in a second school which must be a non-selective state maintained secondary school. The duration of this teaching placement is determined upon interview, but is likely to be for three weeks.

You must be employed as a teacher in an independent or state-maintained secondary school in England and be teaching your subject for a minimum of 50% of a full timetable. You must be teaching across two consecutive key stages.

You will be expected to have the following qualifications:

• A degree from a UK University or equivalent.
• GCSE in English and Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent).

In addition you must:

• Demonstrate competence in literacy and numeracy.
• Attend an interview
• Provide a reference from your headteacher supporting your application to undertake a QTS conversion course.
• Obtain the commitment from your school to release you for the second school placement and to provide a suitable mentor.
• Provide a satisfactory criminal records check and show the physical and mental fitness to teach.

The employing school must be able to fully support a candidate through the course, enabling them to demonstrate all of the Teachers’ Standards across the full age and ability range of training, and cannot be graded as inadequate.

How to apply

Please use the ‘Apply Now’ button at the bottom of this page, or contact The School of Education  by education@buckingham.ac.uk or by calling +44 (0)1280 820222. To apply you will need to supply:

• copy of degree certificate
• copy of English and Maths GCSE certificates
• copy of passport photo page (and visa/work permit where necessary)
• head and shoulder style photo for your University identity card

Application deadline is 31st July 2021.

Terms and conditions for prospective students

When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the terms and conditions between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the terms and conditions outlined in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the terms and conditions contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting any offer. Read the admissions terms and conditions > >

Applicants must also pay a £275 non-refundable Registration Fee.

Fees are invoiced for in September, at the beginning of the course, and can be paid in termly installments or in one lump sum. Termly installments can be arranged directly with the Finance department upon receipt of the invoice.

As there is no requirement to attend residentials at the University of Buckingham whilst on this course accommodation is not provided.