Can you be a supply teacher without QTS?

Becoming a supply teacher opens up a world of opportunities, offering you the chance to experience different classroom environments, control your working hours, and use your unique skills and traits to truly make a difference in your pupils’ lives. However, knowing what qualifications you need to start your supply teaching career can often be confusing and difficult to get your head around.

There are several important aspects to consider before becoming a supply teacher, and whether you need Qualified Teaching Status is one of them. That’s why we’ve detailed everything you need to know about QTS as a supply teacher to ensure that you’re prepared and ready to kickstart your teaching journey.

What is QTS?

Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) is a professional qualification that is obtained when you can show that you meet each of the Teachers’ Standards and criteria.

Qualified teacher status can be achieved in a variety of ways. The most popular method is to enrol on a Postgraduate Certificate in Education course at a university. However, school-driven programmes such as school-centred initial teacher training (SCITT) are also viable options for graduates.

A minimum GCSE achievement of a grade C or above in English and maths are necessary to obtain QTS status. For those looking to teach early years and primary students, you’ll also need a C grade in science while also passing a range of numeracy and literacy professional skills tests.

QTS is mainly recognised within the UK. However, if you’re planning on teaching abroad once qualified, then there are a range of countries that recognise it as an acceptable qualification. We recommend that you check the country’s teaching regulations to ensure that your QTS is valid.

Do I need QTS to be a supply teacher?

In order to be a supply teacher at a maintained primary, secondary or SEN school, or a non-maintained SEN school, you’ll need qualified teacher status. Without QTS, you cannot register with the General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) and schools will not be able to employ you as a qualified supply teacher.

If you don’t have QTS, there are options for you if you want to work in schools. You can be employed as a cover supervisor in secondary schools; however, you’ll need a degree, and experience in a placement in a secondary school to qualify.

Are there any exemptions for teachers outside the UK?

If you’re a qualified teacher from outside the UK , you are allowed to be a supply teacher in England for up to 4 years without QTS. This includes in schools where QTS is a legal requirement; the exemption is known as the ‘ 4-year rule’ .

To be eligible for the 4-year rule, you must have:

·  a recognised teaching qualification from a country outside the UK

·  enrolled on and successfully completed a course of teacher training recognised that is recognised in the country where you qualified

An overseas teacher can no longer work as a supply teacher in England after 4 years without QTS unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Find your next teaching job with Teaching Personnel

If you are ready to start your supply teaching journey at a school near you, then Teaching Personnel is the perfect place for you. As the UK's top education recruitment agency, we find rewarding roles for supply teachers all over the country.

So, once you have successfully obtained your qualifications, completed the relevant training and had a clear DBS check , it’s time to find your next supply teaching job. Browse our current vacancies and gain access to a host of supply teacher jobs from across the UK.