Coronavirus (COVID-19): initial teacher training (ITT)
Updated 1 September 2021
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-initial-teacher-training-itt/coronavirus-covid-19-initial-teacher-training-itt
This guidance is for initial teacher training (ITT) providers. It contains information about policies that DfE introduced to the delivery of ITT courses disrupted by coronavirus (COVID-19).
The policies were introduced to:
- reduce the impact of COVID-19 on your ITT provision
- give trainees a fair opportunity to qualify
- safeguard teacher supply
- ensure those awarded qualified teacher status (QTS) are of the highest possible quality
We may amend or update this guidance as necessary.
September 2021 updates
We have removed guidance relating to policies which do not apply to the 2021/22 academic year.
We have also updated the following sections:
- ITT criteria
- assessment only
- early years
Course extensions for 2020/21 trainees
Some trainee teachers may not have had sufficient opportunity to evidence adequate progress due to the level of disruption they experienced during their course. Schools and ITT providers should take steps to enable these trainees to continue their training for up to an extra term in autumn 2021.
It is for the ITT provider to determine the duration and content of training that takes place in this period that will enable the trainee to meet the Teachers’ Standards in full.
Course extension funding will be available to support these trainees and their ITT provider (or lead schools for employment-based routes).
Trainee funding of £1,300 per trainee per month will be available to support trainees during the extension period of their courses, up to a maximum of 5 months and £6,500.
Provider funding of £500 per trainee per month will also be available to support the delivery of course extensions up to a maximum of 4 months and £2,000.
Guidance on course extension funding is available for:
Changes to the ITT criteria for 2021/22
Relaxations to the ITT criteria were implemented to support teacher training providers to adapt their courses for 2020/21 trainees during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
These relaxations no longer apply and the full ITT criteria and supporting advice has been reinstated for the 2021/22 academic year.
The following requirements in the ITT criteria have reverted:
- trainees to meet the standards across the full age and ability range of training (C2.1)
- training programmes to cover no fewer than 4 school years (C2.2)
- practical teaching experience to take place wholly or mainly in England (C2.3 and the Teacher Qualification Regulations)
- trainees to have taught in at least 2 schools before QTS recommendation (C2.4)
Assessment only
The assessment only criteria has reverted, reinstating the requirement for the assessment process to be completed within 12 consecutive weeks.
Early years ITT
The early years ITT criteria and supporting advice has reverted, reinstating the full requirements for assessment against the Teachers’ Standards (early years). This means that assessments can no longer be based on progress.