Routes into Teaching – the Post Compulsory Sector Peter Wolstencroft University of Bedfordshire

The Scale of the Sector Post Compulsory Education consists of a number of interlinked areas: – General FE Colleges – Sixth Form Colleges – Adult Education – Skills for Life Organisations – Prison Educators – NHS Trainers – Armed Forces Trainers – Some School Based Teachers (of post-16 students)

Jobs Within the PCE Sector Generally lecturer based but some facilitator and technician jobs remain, clearly non-teaching jobs are also available Average age is considerably higher than for school teachers but some opportunities for young people remain Pay is approx 8% lower, holidays half of schools (average 35 days + Bank Hols) and hours are 9am to 9pm.... However, there are benefits – smaller classes, (occasionally) more motivated students...

QTS v QTLS This dates back to the Professionalisation of the Learning and Skills Sector Report (2006) A sector-wide consultation on the implementation of the reforms announced in the white paper designed to bring forward regulations to professionalise the teaching workforce in the Learning and Skills Sector. Prior to that lecturers needed a qualification but a QTS equivalent did not exist. Led to - FE Teachers’ Registration and CPD Regulations (2007)

QTS v QTLS All lecturers entering the sector post-2007 had to achieve QTLS within a period of 5 years. Full details on Institute for Learning website ( In brief this involved lecturers showing evidence of: – A teaching qualification (see later) – 30 hours CPD per year – Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy qualifications – Level 3 Subject Specific qualification – Portfolio of evidence (under a number of headings – see IfL website for details)

The Wolf Report (2011) A key recommendation was that lecturers with QTLS should have the same status as teachers with QTS. This was confirmed in April Hence, transferring between sectors has become possible. Potentially this has a significant impact due to – No cap on PCE numbers – Cost / pay – Offers a part time route

However... The government are currently consulting on a proposal that the 2007 regulations should be repealed, hence, teachers in Post Compulsory Education would not necessarily have to have the full qualification... Potentially this could throw the whole sector into chaos....

Current System ITE (PCE) can be either in-service (most commonly used model, always part time) or pre- service (almost always full time) There are three qualifications to guide people towards – PTLLS, CTLLS, DTLLS (see next slides) DTLLS attracts a bursary and new lecturers can also apply for loans. PTLLS is run exclusively by colleges and private training providers, CTLLS normally by colleges, DTLLS by both colleges and HEIs

PTLLS (“Petals”) The initial teaching qualification. Ideal course for those who are not sure if they want to teach but would like to try (all sectors) Generally taken as either a 5 day intensive course or 12 weeks, part time (2/3 hours per week) Entry requirements vary between providers but the principle is “open access” Guide price would be £200 and the course is either college based or training provider based (normally it is accredited by City and Guilds) No formal exams, instead students put together a portfolio of evidence and complete a micro-teach

CTLLS (“Kettles”) A very specific qualification – be very careful when recommending it... Designed for trainers and those tutors who are delivering other people’s material. Links to the ATLS role. The problem is that it can “pigeon hole” tutors and HEIs are often unwilling to accept the qualification as progression. Guide price would be £700 and it is normally delivered via City and Guilds at a college. Entry requirements are generally a relevant Level 3 qualification, Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy and 30 hours teaching practice.

DTLLS (“Dettles”) The standard teaching qualification for the profession. Called DTLLS when run via an awarding body (normally City and Guilds – award number 7305) or either DTLLS/Cert Ed/PGCE when run via an HEI In general it will run as either a one year (pre-service, full time) or two year (in-service, part time) course. The later is most common. Guide price would be £900-£1000/year for a DTLLS (i.e. City and Guilds version at a college), £3000/year for a Cert Ed/PGCE at an HEI

DTLLS (“Dettles”) Bursaries of £1000/£1500 are available for HEI versions (first come, first served), loans are also available. These are not available currently for City and Guilds versions (although they will be from 2013/14) Entry requirements are generally a relevant Level 3 qualification, Level 2 Literacy and Numeracy and 50 hours teaching practice. In general, students are expected to find their own placements for the in-service course (these are generally paid). Pre-service, they are normally found by the HEI (and are unpaid)

DTLLS (“Dettles”) General Advice: – Work experience is generally vital in this sector (although it clearly depends on the subject) – PTLLS is the starting point for almost everyone (to see if they like it!) – Sitting in on a class is also a good idea – If the student is a graduate, recommend the PGCE, if not Cert Ed – Applications are direct to the institution

Next Steps Some lecturers use their DTLLS or Cert Ed to achieve a degree (normally a BA in Lifelong Learning/Ed Studies or similar) DTLLS = 120 credits Further “stand alone” Diplomas = 120 credits That leaves 120 credits for a “top up”.

Questions?