Do you employ overseas-trained teachers, or people who have not yet passed their skills tests?
Important new UK Border Agency requirements for bringing overseas-trained teachers to the UK
The UK Border Agency is introducing a new points-based system to control immigration more effectively. This will mean the current work permit arrangements will end in autumn 2008 and will be replaced by new arrangements for bringing overseas workers to the UK, including overseas-trained teachers. This will involve a new application process and fee structure. You will find more information here.
Important changes are coming in.
The Department consulted publicly for six weeks, from 11 May to 22 June 2007, on a series of draft amendments to The Education (Specified Work and Registration) (England) Regulations 2003. The Department has carefully considered the responses to the consultation and as a result has decided that:
Skills tests:
- The five-year grace period for teacher trainees who have completed their Initial Teacher Training course, but not passed all the skills tests (in English, Numeracy and ICT) will be replaced with a deadline of 31 August 2008. This means that all existing teachers who have not passed the skills test will need to have done so before 1 September 2008. Also from 1 September 2008 all new teachers will need to have passed all of the skills tests and been awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) before they can teach.
Since 2001 there has been a rule that overseas-trained teachers (OTTs) could only teach here for four calendar years. The following changes clarify some aspects of this, without changing the underlying rule:
People in training at the end of their four years:
- From 1 September 2008 OTTs who have not obtained QTS within 4 years will not be allowed to continue teaching beyond four years even if they are undertaking employment-based training leading to QTS. (The consultation had proposed to introduce this change from 1 September 2007 but it has been deferred until 1 September 2008.)
Instructors:
- Headteachers who wish to employ overseas teacher trained teachers who have not obtained QTS within four years as Instructors may do so providing they satisfy the statutory requirements for employing Instructors— namely that there is no qualified teacher (or person on employment based training) available to fill it. They should not simply reclassify former teachers as instructors. This is a continuation of the existing provision.
Extension to deadlines for those who have had statutory leave (e.g. maternity):
- Deadlines imposed on unqualified teachers, including OTTs, who carry out specified work will be extended to take account of statutory maternity, adoption, paternity or parental leave taken by the teacher. This change is effective from 1 September 2007.
Amending regulations are being arranged to implement the above changes and clarifications. The updated guidance reflects these regulatory changes.
Overseas trained teachers
The What you need to know leaflet explains the rules for overseas trained teachers working in schools. Download the leaflet and give to overseas trained teachers on your staff. Alternatively, order a copy by calling 08456 022 260, quoting reference no: 00898-2007LEF-EN.
Last updated: 08 April 2008
