Deaf teachers – training as a QToD
Routes into becoming a QToD if you are deaf 听
Qualified Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People听(QToDs)听听are experienced teachers with an additional mandatory qualification (MQ) in childhood deafness who have the skills, knowledge, and expertise required to provide quality support to deaf babies, and young people from 0 to 25*听years and their families, in the home and in educational settings (mainstream and specialist provisions).听
In order to train as QToDs in schools or services, teachers must have qualified teacher status (QTS)**, or full recognition in Scotland, and have had some classroom experience before undertaking a QToD mandatory qualification course. It is also possible, in England, to train with Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, but this may limit the age groups of CYP with whom you can work once trained. All QToDs must have specialist training and qualifications.听
* upper age differs across the UK
**In England, the Early Career Teacher (ECT)听induction period remains a two-year requirement after gaining QTS.听
Foundation degrees like the Teaching and Learning Foundation Degree听are still viable pathways to QTS, especially for working professionals, without degrees.听
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Obtaining听a teaching qualification听
In England***, Northern Ireland, and Wales there are several ways of achieving QTS. For more information visit听听(England),听听(Northern Ireland) and听(Wales) websites.听
**** QTLS applies in England only
In Scotland, you become a qualified teacher by taking a course that leads to full recognition with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). See here for further details:听. Teachers from other parts of the UK wishing to move to Scotland need to approach GTCS about how to gain recognition:听听
Deaf people who have the relevant qualifications are encouraged to apply to train as听QToDs. Their contribution to the education of deaf CYP is particularly valuable. They should discuss their application and support needs with the mandatory qualification course provider to which they are applying. The full list of courses available is as follows:听
Frequently asked questions听
If I complete a Primary education听PGCE,听can I only teach in primary schools after I have the听QToD听MQ?听
听 听 听No, once you have the MQ (QToDs) you, as a QToD, can work across the birth-adulthood age range. The MQ focuses on the implications of deafness for each CYP听
听 听 听from identification through to transition to adulthood and therefore听
- informs practice at all stages
- ensures the flexibility of the workforce
- ensures an understanding of a DCYP鈥檚 journey to adulthood
- embeds a holistic understanding of the development of DCYP
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Can deaf teachers apply to the听Con Powell Memorial Scholarships听and other bursary options?听
听 听 听 Yes, any teacher with QTS or QTLS in England, can apply to Con Powell Scholarship award provided they are an听UK residents听and are intending to study at one of
听 听 听 the four course providers in England.听
听 听 听 Some MQ course providers have access to their own bursary streams and should be contacted directly.听
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If I complete the听MQ (QToD)听in a UK nation听eg听England, can I work as a听QToD听in other parts of the UK?听
听 听 听You can work as a QToD in other parts of the UK but must clarify with the employer the prior teaching experience requirements.听
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I want to move to the UK. I have a qualification to teach deaf children. Do I need to听complete another qualification to be a听QToD听in the UK?听
听 听 听International students should seek advice about the status of their teaching qualification from the department of education in the UK nation.听
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Is there a network group specific to deaf teachers?听
听 听 听 There are over 100 deaf people across the UK working in deaf education or starting their journey as a teacher(s). The 听 UK-wide. Some
听 听 听 members are QToDs听 whilst some teach hearing children. 听
听 听 听 The group is welcoming to trainees. The group is great for networking and advice during training and during teaching on deaf related issues. 听
听 听 听 In Scotland there is also an Instant Messenger support group used by deaf teachers, and deaf people interested in becoming teachers.听
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Part-time听QToD听mandatory qualification courses:听
England:听
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Scotland:听
听–听In Scotland there is one听ToD听course provider.听听The University of Edinburgh听has a听because of the听Scottish听BSL Act听(2015).Deaf signing students on the Postgraduate diploma inclusive education (deaf learners pathway) can submit assignments for many courses in BSL because the tutor can mark in BSL, the听team can moderate BSL assignments and the external examiner is currently a fluent deaf BSL signer.听
