For Unqualified Teachers
The Assessment Only (AO) route is designed for experienced unqualified teachers who wish to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).
The AO route is not a training programme. Applicants must already be teaching a full timetable in a school and demonstrating the Teachers’ Standards consistently at a good or excellent level. The Assessment Only route must be completed within three months. During this time, candidates will provide evidence that they meet the Teachers’ Standards. This route is available in both state and independent schools. We assess teachers working in primary, secondary and specialist SEN settings. We accept applications for the Assessment Only route throughout the academic year, allowing us to personalise your journey towards achieving QTS.
Please see below for our frequently asked questions.
To begin your application for the Assessment Only route, please complete our Expression of Interest form.
The Assessment Only route to QTS takes 12 weeks to complete. You can apply and start at any time during the academic year.
However, if you apply from April onwards, we will process your application when schools reopen in September. This is because your 12-week assessment must take place within a single academic year.
To be eligible for the Assessment Only route, you must have:
QTS Only fee £2950 (within a 30 mile radius of Bournemouth*)
*For candidates outside this area additional travel costs will be charged and be dependent on distance needed to travel.
Optional Second Placement (20 working days) arranged by BBTTP £400
The fee for the course includes 3 visits to the school/setting. If additional visits are required this will be charged at a fee of £200 per visit.
Bournemouth Bay Teacher Training Partnership offers the AO route in the age ranges of 7-11, 11-16 and 14-19.
In order to qualify for the AO route you must have:
As part of the application process, you will attend an online interview and receive a visit to your school from our Assessment Only team, who will assess your suitability for the route.
Please note that before the school visit, the first instalment of your payment (£150) will be taken. If we assess that you are not a suitable candidate for the course, you will not be required to pay the second instalment of £1400.
QTS Only Fee: £2,950 (within a 30-mile radius of Bournemouth*)
*For candidates outside this area, additional travel costs will apply depending on the distance travelled.
Optional second placement (20 working days), arranged by Bournemouth Bay Teacher Training Partnership: £400
The course fee includes three visits to the school or setting. If additional visits are required, these will be charged at £200 per visit.
Bournemouth Bay Teacher Training Partnership offers the Assessment Only route in the following age ranges:
The first step towards the Assessment Only route is to complete our Expression of Interest form. Our Assessment Only team will review this short application to check whether you meet the statutory compliance criteria.
If you meet the criteria, you will be invited to an initial meeting. During this meeting, we will:
Following this meeting, you will be asked to complete a formal application form, which will be sent to you.
Our Assessment Only team will review your formal application to confirm your eligibility. If successful, you will be invited to a two-stage interview process, consisting of:
You will receive a link to attend the online interview.
For the school visit, a date will be arranged for our Assessment Only team to visit your school. During this visit:
If you are successful at interview, you will receive an offer and a proposed start date for the Assessment Only process.
If the Assessment Only route isn’t the right pathway for you at this stage, there’s no need to worry. Many successful teachers begin their journey through our 11-month Teacher Training programme, designed to support and develop aspiring teachers.
Our programme provides the professional knowledge, practical experience and expert guidance you need to thrive in the classroom. You will gain hands-on experience in schools while developing the confidence and skills required to become an effective teacher.
By the end of the programme, you will achieve Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and can also gain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), providing a strong foundation for a successful teaching career.
This route is ideal if you would benefit from structured training, dedicated mentoring and further classroom experience before gaining QTS.
If you require further information, please contact us on 01202 662038 or email us at assessment-only@bournemouthbay-partnership.com