In March 2013, the Teaching Agency (TA) undertook a review of the Assessment Only (AO) route, based on materials and cohort data submitted by 22 providers and the outcomes of follow-up telephone discussions with important personnel in each of these providers.
This paper draws on the March review. It summarises characteristics of AO candidates, gives attention to each identified stage in the AO process, summarising its typical features and noting additional elements included in some routes, then highlights providers’ development priorities. Finally, it identifies a number of points that providers may wish to consider further.
Please note, the areas identified in this paper are not intended to determine the design of the AO route, but to share elements of current provision for all AO providers to consider.
The supporting advice document outlines the entry criteria, the assessment criteria and management and quality assurance criteria needed by providers to offer the Assessment Only route to qualified teacher status.