There is a requirement for a minimum of 100 hours teaching/training practice and a minimum of eight teaching/training practice observations, which must reach the required standard of practice. Observations of trainee teachers/trainers will be graded in accordance with the Ofsted guidelines. Assessed observations of practice should be appropriately spaced throughout the whole programme and consider a trainee teacher/trainer’s progress. Trainee teachers/trainers will therefore be observed at different stages in their development during the programme.

There is no requirement for candidates to have completed the Level 3 Award in Education and Training or the Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training before commencing this qualification. All of the mandatory units are Education and Training Units. Candidates should be qualified/experienced in the subject they intend to teach and possess reasonable levels of language, literacy, and numeracy. All trainee teachers joining this qualification programme will undertake an initial assessment of skills in English, mathematics, and ICT. They will record their development needs and agree an action plan to address them.