AO Foundation Year
The AO Foundation programme is a one year programme for teachers who need further development and support before applying for the AO Route to QTS
What is the AO Foundation Year?
ESP’s AO (Assessment Only) Foundation Year is designed to provide inexperienced teachers in international schools with a structured programme of professional development as they work towards the award of UK Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) via our Assessment Only programme.
This tailored programme is based on the UK Teachers' Standards and allows inexperienced teachers in British international schools to develop the reflective practice required by the time they undergo QTS assessment.
The Programme
Following comparable methodology to those on our PGCE Consolidation Year, the AO Foundation Year offers unqualified teachers the ongoing support and guidance they need from an experienced ITT Mentor as they work towards readiness for UK qualification.
The programme allows candidates to consider their own development against each of the UK Teachers' Standards in detail and build a portfolio of evidence against each standard without the need to leave their school.
Providing candidates with a personalised programme of training and support, it allows trainees the opportunity to consider how their teaching impacts on pupil learning and develop their practice under expert guidance.
How does it work?
The remote tutor will work with candidates on a termly basis providing helpful feedback about their evidence and 1:1 coaching sessions to discuss performance against the Standards and how practice can be further developed.
The tutor will also offer professional guidance on how candidates can ensure maximum impact through their teaching.
Graduates of the AO Foundation Year will be able to clearly demonstrate to the AO Route University provider that they already meet all the Standards without the need for any further professional development and as such, satisfy the criteria for the AO Route to QTS programme.
Assessment for QTS - The Next Step on your Pathway
The evidence gathered through your AO Foundation Year will be used to support your future application for QTS Assessment via the DfE Assessment Only (AO) Route to QTS with our HEI ITT partners the University of Sunderland.
In partnership with the University of Sunderland we are able to offer the Assessment Only Route to British curriculum schools worldwide.
Teachers who have been through our AO Foundation Year and are eligible for the AO Route to QTS will receive preferential pricing on their AO Route to QTS fees.
For more information on the AO Foundation Year programme, please contact us on info@espeducation.co.uk