Gaining QTLS or ATLS: professional formation

What are QTLS and ATLS?

Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) and Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS) are a professional status that can be gained by successfully completing professional formation.

Professional formation provides an opportunity for you to gain recognition and share your professional practices with your colleagues, creating communities of practice and enhancing collaboration.

This is a post-qualification process that enables participants to demonstrate through professional practice:

  • the ability to use effectively the skills and knowledge acquired whilst training to be a teacher
  • application of the occupational standards required of a teacher

Demonstrating the effective use of skills and knowledge in professional practices leads to QTLS or ATLS status.

More than 12,000 members have achieved QTLS status since its introduction in 2008. From 1 April 2012 IfL members with QTLS status are also recognised as qualified to teach in schools.

Listen to our podcast on the benefits of gaining QTLS or ATLS

Tony Prideaux explores the benefits of QTLS and ATLS in our podcast. "He speaks to members who have completed the process and employers who believe that this is valuable CPD for staff. Tony also talks to IfL reviewers about the process of professional formation and what makes a great portfolio. (Running time 6.24)"

Am I required to undertake professional formation?

IfL members are not required to achieve QTLS or ATLS, but are encouraged to do so as a demonstration of the currency of their teaching practice.

The statutory requirement to obtain QTLS and ATLS was removed in September 2012, along with government funding of professional formation for individual teachers and trainers. IfL now needs to charge £485 for professional formation to cover the cost of the process. Payment will be able to be made in two instalments of £100 and £385.

We have worked to keep the price down, and considering the value and recognition that QTLS brings we believe this offers good value to members.

Read on for details of when members are able express their intention to apply for QTLS or ATLS.

Click the relevant links below for more information on gaining QTLS and ATLS.