The University and College Union (UCU) announced a national
marking and assessment boycott earlier this year, as part of
strike action. This means that some university students might not
receive their degree on time in 2023.
The marking boycott has the potential to disrupt Initial Teacher
Training as candidates usually need to prove that they have
received their degree to start postgraduate courses.
We know how valuable these new teachers are to our children and
young people, and how important it is for these candidates to
take the next steps in their training.
That’s why we have made temporary changes to how Initial Teacher
Training (ITT) candidates are assessed so all good candidates
will be able to start their courses in September.
What is Initial Teacher Training?
In almost all scenarios, trainees must complete an ITT course
that leads to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) before starting to
work as a teacher in state schools.
There are several routes into ITT. Universities and schools run
the courses and award qualifications.
To be accepted onto an ITT course, candidates must have completed
a degree.
What are you doing to make sure students can start
Initial Teacher Training in September?
This year, to make sure that candidates can start their ITT in
September, universities and school-led ITT providers that offer
ITT will be able to recruit trainees whose degree status has not
yet been confirmed because they have been impacted by the
boycott.
Later on, before candidates are able to formally complete their
ITT and are awarded QTS, the provider will need to make sure that
the degree has been awarded.
This means that candidates will only be able to complete ITT once
their graduate status has been confirmed. Universities must make this
clear to candidates starting the ITT.
What are you doing to prevent UCU strike action?
The Government has no direct role in UCU industrial action as
it’s the responsibility of individual colleges and universities
to set pay for their staff.
However, we want this disagreement resolved in a way that avoids
disrupting students’ learning, especially given the difficulties
students have faced during the pandemic.
We strongly encourage a resolution that delivers good value for
students, staff, and universities.
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