Strengthening Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and Improving Career Progression for Teachers

Overview

This consultation is about supporting teachers and ensuring the right structures are in place at the beginning of a teacher’s career, improving access to high-quality professional development and improving progression opportunities for all teachers throughout their careers.  

The first half of the consultation sets out our initial proposals for a strengthened Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). These include:

• An extended induction period with QTS awarded at the end
• Development of a structured early career content framework setting out what all teachers need to know and areas for development
• A stronger mentoring provision for new teachers.

The second half of the consultation sets out our thinking on how we could support career development for teachers once they have gained QTS. These include:

• Expansion of professional qualifications to include specialisms to promote specialist career pathways
• A range of options to help embed a culture of continuing professional development, building on work already underway
• A pilot fund for work-related sabbaticals.

These are our initial proposals and the first stage in the policy development process; we know that any changes must be supported by the profession. We would like to hear your views on these and your ideas for how to support teachers in the early years of their career and facilitate their career progression.

The survey provides some brief information on the proposals. However, it should be read in conjunction with the full consultation, which is provided as a PDF below, under related documents at the bottom of this page.