FAQ

Index

This section aims to answer some of the questions most frequently asked by Institute for Learning (IfL) members and partners. Select a category from the drop-down list below to view questions and answers on membership and registration, Professional Formation, continuing professional development (CPD), and general organisational queries.

  • Membership and Registration

    1. How much does IfL membership cost?

      The standard fees for 2012/2013 for each grade are listed below:

      Member grade

      Membership subscription fees 

      (year ending 31 March 2013)

      Affiliate £38
      Associate £38
      Member £38
      Fellow £53
      Companion £38

      Affiliate undertaking full-time initial teacher training

      		 £17


      Concessionary rates are listed below and available on whole-year subscriptions only.

      Please email enquiries@ifl.ac.uk or write to IfL to confirm that your total annual income does not exceed £8,105 (for concession 1) or £16,190 (for concession 2). One of our membership team will then add the concession discount to your IfL account, and notify you that this has been done, following which you can renew online in the usual way, but at the reduced fee. Please allow five working days for a response to your enquiry.

      Concessionary fee levels for membership (year ending 31 March 2013)

      Amount

      Full time initial teacher training

      £17

      Retired from the teaching or training profession

      Unemployed or on maternity leave at the point of joining or renewing their membership

      If earnings are below the income tax threshold - currently £8,105

      £25

      Earning above the income tax threshold, but less than £16,190

      £33

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    2. Why do I have to join?

      The Further Education Teachers’ Continuing Professional Development & Registration Regulations (England) 2007 require all teachers and trainers in further education colleges to register with IfL and to maintain their registration throughout their employment. The regulations extend to all Skill Funding Agency funded provision through the terms of contracts and sub-contracts with providers.


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    3. What is the difference between full, associate and occasional teachers?

      For the purpose of the regulations, the definitions are outlined below. These definitions apply whether working on a full time, part time, fractional, fixed term, temporary or agency basis.


      Full Teacher

      'Full teaching role' means a teaching role that carries the full range of teaching responsibilities and requires the teacher to demonstrate an extensive range of knowledge, understanding and application of curriculum innovation or curriculum delivery strategies.

      Associate Teacher

      'Associate teaching role' means a teaching role that carries significantly less than the full range of teaching responsibilities ordinarily carried out in a full teaching role and does not require the teacher to demonstrate an extensive knowledge, understanding and application of curriculum development, curriculum innovation or curriculum delivery strategies.
      Often Associate teachers do not develop teaching materials, but teach them from pre-prepared packs. They should also work under the guidance or line management of someone in a full teaching role.

      Associate teachers in further education often have job titles such as instructor or trainer, and their job description may cover other responsibilities. In some training organisations within the skills sector the job descriptions for these roles often reflect a fairly full set of teaching duties.


      An individual’s job title on its own does not determine whether or not a person is an associate teacher. The key determining factor is whether the person undertakes teaching responsibilities as set out above which should be stated clearly in their contract of employment.


      The underlying principle should be that an individual should only be classed as an Associate teacher working in the further education and skills sector where:

      • It expressly states in their contract of employment or is specified in their job description, that they have taken on a set of teaching duties
      • they undertake a combination of the responsibilities assigned to teaching roles – though significantly less than the full range of teaching responsibilities. These responsibilities should be included in the individual employee’s contract and reflected in their job description. 

      Occasional Teacher

      Occasional teachers are not subject to the existing regulations and therefore not required to be members of IfL, though they can join on a voluntary basis. The agreed definition of an ‘occasional teacher’ for this purpose has been clarified as teaching no more than 28 hours in a year (for example 2 hours a week and no more than 14 weeks a year). Occasional teachers will continue to be welcome to join IfL voluntarily.

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    4. I have started an application to join, but have not completed it. How do I get back to that application?

      To open an application that you have already started, login to the website using the email address and password that you used to start your application. Your application will download. You can then click on ‘next’ at the bottom of each page until you get to the page you need to complete.

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    5. Which grade of membership should I join at?

      Your grade of membership will be determined by the completed principal teaching qualification that you enter on your application.

      You can also join as an IfL Companion. Companion members include HR professionals, managers of teaching and learning suport activities, senior leaders from non-teaching or training backgrounds or those with an interest in the work of IfL.

      Companion members are able to make an annual declaration of CPD however, this is not a requirement of Companion membership.

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    6. Are you the right grade?

      Affiliate
       
      This category of membership is open to those new to the profession or who may be working towards a teaching qualification including:

      • Level 3/4 award (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector, PTLLS)
      • City & Guilds 7302 Certificate or Diploma in Delivering Learning
      • ABC level 3 Certificate in Facilitating Learning
      • Stage 1 of City & Guilds 730/ 7301/ 7306/ 7307
      • Trainee teachers and others working towards post-16 education and training qualifications
      • Those in learning support roles.

      Join IfL as an Affiliate member 

       
      Associate (AIfL)
       
      Experienced practitioners within further education (FE) and skills, who hold a minimum of:

      • the level 3/4 Certificate (Certificate in Teaching in Lifelong Learning Sector, CTLLS) or equivalent, or
      • level 4 stage 1 or 2 FE teaching qualification for full time teachers, or
      • assessor awards

       Associates can work towards Associate Teacher Learning and Skills status (ATLS).
       
      Associates are entitled to use the designatory letters AIfL.
       
      Join IfL as an Associate Member 


      Member (MIfL)
       
      Experienced practitioners within FE and skills, who hold a minimum of:

      • the level 5 Diploma (Diploma in Teaching in Lifelong Learning Sector, DTLLS) or equivalent, such as a PGCE, Cert. Ed, General Professional Recognition, or
      • level 4 Stage 3 FE Teacher Qualification, or
      • level 4 stage 1 or 2 FE Teacher Qualification for part time teachers employed before September 2007.

      Members can now also work towards Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status (QTLS) or Associate Teacher Learning and Skils status (ATLS), according to their qualifications and teaching role.
       
      Members are entitled to use the designatory letters MIfL.
       
      Join IfL as a Member 
       
       
      Fellow (FIfL)
       
      Highly experienced practitioners within post-16 education and training, who hold higher degrees (Masters and Doctorates) in the areas of education/training research and development in addition to their teaching qualification. Typical accepted qualifications: MEd, MA(Ed), PhD (education or training).
       
      Fellows are eligible to apply for QTLS or ATLS status, according to their qualifications and teaching role.
       
      Fellows are entitled to use the designatory letters FIfL.
       
      Join IfL as a Fellow or upgrade your membership
       
       
      IfL Companion
       
      This grade is ideally suited to any individual in a leadership, management or support role in the sector, but who is not a qualified teacher or trainer nor undertaking some form of teacher training.

      Anyone with an interest in the the work of IfL can benefit from Companion membership, which typically includes HR professionals, managers of teaching and learning support activities and senior leaders from non-teaching or training backgrounds.

       
      Join IfL as a Companion


       
      Honorary IfL membership
       
      This grade is conferred by IfL to acknowledge individuals who have made an outstanding contribution made to the sector.
      If you have a query about the grade that you have been allocated, please contact the Membership Department in writing or by email: enquiries@ifl.ac.uk

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    7. How long will it take before I receive my confirmation of membership?

      Once you have completed your application you will receive an automatic email to confirm that it has been completed. You will also receive an email requesting you to activate your account, by clicking on the link in the email. You will not be able to login to your account until you have activated it.

      Within 3-4 weeks you will receive a confirmation in the post, including a confirmation of your grade and membership number.

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    8. I no longer want to receive publications/emails. What do I need to do?

      You can make amendments to some of your mailing preferences by logging into your record and clicking on Mailing Options on the left hand menu. You can amend your mailing preference for InTuition, Informed and On the Agenda. We will continue to send you information on essential member communications i.e. CPD notifications, membership renewal reminders and IfL Council election notices, and you can select how you wish to receive these.

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    9. I've forgotten my password or never had one, how do I get another?

      To be sent a password by email click on ‘I do not know my password’, which is below the login box. You will then receive a new password. Once you have logged in you can change your password by clicking on 'Login Details' on the left hand menu.

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    10. I’m retired/retiring/unemployed, can I remain a member of the IfL?

      If you are retired from employment you can apply for ‘retired member’ status. Retired membership status entitles you to all the membership benefits.

      Members who are unemployed at the point of joining or renewing their membership or are undertaking full-time, pre-service initial teacher training can apply for ‘unemployed member’ status. Members who select unemployed membership status may need to give proof of their unemployment.

      Both categories of membership are available at concessionary rates to members. Full details are included in the FAQ "How much does IfL membership cost?".

      Please note that it is not a requirement under the 2007 regulations to join IfL during periods of unemployment, however you are welcome to do so. If you hold QTLS or ATLS and your membership does lapse, you will be required to follow the reinstatement process in order to renew your QTLS or ATLS status. The details fo this process can be found within IfL's conditions of membership.

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    11. Can I claim Tax Relief on my IfL subscription?

      The Institute for Learning is recognised by HMRC as a professional body and membership subscriptions deemed directly relevant to employment are eligible for tax relief. If you are a UK taxpayer and you pay your own subscription, you can claim the tax back on your IfL membership. For further information on tax relief for professional subscriptions please visit the HMRC website. If you want to know about the deductions for fees and subscriptions paid to professional bodies visit this page of the HMRC website.
       
      If you receive a self assessment tax return each year, then you should declare your IfL subscription as a tax-deductible expense. If you do not, complete an self assessment tax return you should write to your tax office asking for an adjustment to your tax code. To help you to do this, IfL provides a template to download (Word document) and complete. This should be sent to your local tax office, not to IfL.

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    12. I wish to resign my membership with the IfL. What do I need to do?

      Please send a letter or email to the Membership Team informing us that you wish to resign.

      Institute for Learning, 49-51 East Road, London, N1 6AH

      Email: enquiries@ifl.ac.uk

      Please note, Membership of IfL satisfies the requirement of the Further Education Teachers’ Continuing Professional Development and Registration (England) Regulations 2007 and the requirement set out by the Skills Funding Agency for teachers and trainers working in these environments to register with the Institute for Learning within six months of commencing employment in a further education college or other learning provider and to maintain that registration continuously thereafter.

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    13. Can I get a refund on my subscription?

      We do not issue refunds once a member has joined or renewed their membership.

      IfL are unable to adjust membership fees for each member as their circumstances change and/or if they change their mind about wishing to be an IfL member within the membership cycle.

      However, we will refund an amount if a member notifies the Membership Team within 30 days of the payment being received.

      All refund requests need to be put in writing to the Membership Officer by email or post:

      Membership Team
      Institute for Learning
      First Floor
      49-51 East Road
      London N1 6AH


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    14. When do I renew my membership?

      The membership renewal date for all members is 1 April. You will however, be able to renew your membership online from early February each year. We will also send you an email with information on how to renew.

      If you have paid the £68 registration fee valid until 1 April 2013, you will not be required to renew on 1 April 2012. An email will be sent to confirm this at the time.

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    15. What are the benefits of being a Fellow?

      Fellows are entitled to use the post nominal letters FIfL. These letters illustrate that a Fellow of IfL has achieved typical accepted qualifications: MEd, MAEd, PhD (education or training).

      • Enhanced professional status recognising significant contribution to teaching and learning practice within the sector

      • Acknowledgment of previous, current and future enhancement of teaching and learning within the sector through continued reflective practice

      • The opportunity, through the IfL web based CPD portal, to offer support and guidance to members as they develop their teaching practice for mutual benefit

       

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    16. Is there a sliding scale for part time teachers?

      Concessionary rates are available to members who meet one of the following criteria:

      Concession 1

      • retired from the teaching or training profession,
      • are unemployed or on maternity leave at the point of joining or renewing their membership
      • undertakingfull-time, pre- service initial teacher training
      • if earnings are below the income tax threshold currently £8,105

      Concession 2

      • earning above the income tax threshold but less than £16,190

      IfL focused on concessionary fees for members on a low income rather than number or percentage of hours. This is because some part-time teachers may be on a fairly substantial percentage contract, eg 80%, and some part-time teachers may be high earners elsewhere because they are dual professionals (who might  work as an engineer or a lawyer, teaching their subject or vocational area). Working part time in our sector is not necessarily correlated with low income.

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    17. 'Closed shop' misinterpretation

      As IfL is a professional organisation rather than a trade union there is no question therefore of it being a 'closed shop' as set out in The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. This Act was introduced to ban agreements or employment terms which discriminate on the basis on union membership, and since IfL is not a trade union and the requirement to register was bought about through statute, it will not apply in this case.

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    18. I am not happy with my membership grade. What do I need to do?

      IfL Council have agreed the criteria required for each grade of membership and the database will use these to allocate your grade. If you are unhappy with the grade you receive, you should first check your record via the online membership records, then either write or email the membership team explaining why you think you should be considered for an alternative grade. This will be reviewed and, if appropriate, put forward to IfL Council who will reassess your application. You will be informed in writing of the outcome and, if necessary, the appeals mechanism.Click here to view the membership grade criteria.

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    19. How to apply for Concessions?

      Please email enquiries@ifl.ac.uk or write to IfL to confirm that your total annual income does not exceed £8,105 (for concession 1) or £16,190 (for concession 2). One of our membership team will then add the concession discount to your IfL account, and notify you that this has been done, following which you can renew online in the usual way, but at the reduced fee. Please allow five working days for a response to your enquiry.

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    20. Enquiry response time

      We endeavour to answer all your queries as quickly as possible. Sometimes, however, we experience high volumes of email enquiries, so please allow five working days for our response to your enquiry. Please note that you can include your telephone number in your enquiry email, with an indication of the times when it would be most convenient for you to have a call back from our membership team to help you with your enquiry.

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    21. Will teachers have to provide copies of qualifications to become registered?

      There is a sampling system in place to monitor qualifications, therefore you may be contacted in the future to provide copies of your certificates or to give permission for us to contact the relevant awarding body or Higher Education institution.

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    22. I need to change my details e.g. name, address, employer etc. What should I do?

      You can make amendments through logging in to the IfL website and updating your member record.

      For name changes as a result of marriage, civil partnership or deed poll, we require copies of certificates. You can either send this by post or scan your certificate and email to enquiries@ifl.ac.uk

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    23. I have teaching qualifications gained outside the UK. Where do they fit within the membership grades?

      The Institute for Learning has developed a route to Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) for members with teaching qualifications gained outside the UK.

      Find out more here

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    24. I am a self-employed trainer. How do the regulations affect me?

      From 1 September 2007, teachers in English further education colleges are required to register with the Institute for Learning. This will include full, part time and agency staff. The Skills Funding Agency provider contracts have extended this requirement to all teachers working in SFA funded provision.

      Read the Further Education Teachers’ Continuing Professional Development and Registration (England) Regulations 2007 for more information.

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    25. What is the relationship between IfL membership grade, teaching role and my annual salary?

      IfL grade is awarded based upon teaching qualifications not role. This grade does not reflect experience or professionalism.

      Associate teachers can be qualified, unqualified or working towards qualification. Associate members of IfL, AIfL, are all qualified as associate teachers (through qualifications such as CTLLS, City and Guilds 7307, assessor awards, NVQ3 or 4 Learning and Development etc) but could be in an associate or full teaching role. Similarly, fully qualified teachers (such as those holding DTLLS, City and Guilds 7407 (1-3) or a Certificate in Education etc) will be graded as Members, MIfL but might currently occupy an associate teaching role.

      Annual salary should be a reflection of qualifications and role using an agreed methodology, rather than based on IfL membership grades. Salary discussions and concerns over salary levels are best addressed through channels with your employer and union representative.

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    26. Should learning support practitioners register?

      There is no obligation for learning support practitioners to register however there will be a benefit to them in doing so and establishing a presence within the Institute which will develop and support individual and collective professionalism. Learning support practitioners can join the IfL as either Affiliates or Companions

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    27. I am a Manager/Assessor/Verifier/Teaching Assistant; do I need to register with IfL?

      The regulation states all teachers - which includes teachers, tutors, trainers, lecturers, instructors - must register with IfL. This is regardless of:
      • job title
      • type of contract
      • full or part time status
      • whether teaching is combined with other non-teaching or teacher related roles e.g. managers, assessors, verifiers etc
      It is possible that one person with the job title i.e. Assessor will have to register and another will not. This will be dependent upon their actual job role and should be decided by the employee and their employer.
      If the employee carries out any teaching then the reforms apply.
      Employees not fulfilling a teaching role are encouraged to join as a Companion as there will be a benefit to them in doing so and establishing a presence within the Institute which will develop and support individual and collective professionalism.

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    28. I do not want to join online. Can I join over the phone?

      If you do not have access to join online please call 0844 815 3202 to join over the phone.



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    29. How do I join IfL?

      You can join IfL using our secure online initial registration facility.

       

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  • Professional Formation (QTLS/ATLS)

    1. Who will be monitoring who has registered with the IfL/Obtained QTLS?

      It is the responsibility of an institution to ensure that their employees comply with the incoming regulations. IfL will be establishing a mechanism whereby employers can check directly an employee’s ongoing registration and status. It will also be of interest to external inspectors in terms of its impact on provision.

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    2. What is Professional Formation?

      It is the process leading to conferral of Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) or Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS) status.

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    3. How will it help me in the future?

      QTLS and ATLS are the new benchmark standards for licensed practitioners which will apply to teachers in the FE sector and Skills, as outlined in Equipping Our Teachers for the Future (PDF will open in new window on external website). 

       

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    4. Do I have to apply for QTLS or ATLS (Licence to Practise)?

      Yes – if you are new to the sector and qualified as a teacher since September 2007

      No – if you qualified or took up a teaching post before September 2007

      However, IfL is encouraging all those teaching in the Learning and Skills sector to achieve this as a demonstration of professionalism. The licence will be conferred subject to successful completion of professional formation.

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    5. How do I get my QTLS or ATLS (Licence to Practise)?

      IfL has provided the framework for members who wish to complete Professional Formation in REfLECT, the IfL bespoke online personalised learning space.

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    6. I already have a teaching qualification. Will I be eligible for QTLS/ATLS? What level is this qualification at?

      Qualifications are separate from licensed practitioner status (QTLS or ATLS status), which will only be conferred following a process of Professional Formation. For information regarding which level your qualification was awarded at you should contact the awarding institution.

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    7. Will I be tested against the minimum core in order to gain QTLS or ATLS?

      There is no test to become a licensed practitioner (QTLS or ATLS), but a condition of gaining and maintaining the licence is that you have level 2 Literacy and Numeracy or equivalent skills to demonstrate that you have the necessary literacy and numeracy to teach.

      You will be required to provide evidence that you hold the equivalent to the level 2 Literacy and Numeracy. This can be O Levels or GCSE’s or if you are not from the UK, an international equivalent.

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    8. To keep my Licence, do I have to teach during the year? (career breaks, etc)

      There is no requirement for you to teach during your membership but you will be required to provide evidence of remaining in good standing within the profession.

      Equipping Our Teachers for the Future (PDF will open in new window on external website) introduced the requirement to ‘remain in good standing’ as a critical component of maintaining the Licence to Practise. All teachers will therefore be required to demonstrate evidence of post-qualification professional development to maintain licensed status.

      The Further Education Teachers’ Continuing Professional Development and Registration Regulations (England) 2007 (link will open in new window on external website) extend this requirement to all teachers. We have a broad interpretation of teaching as befits the diversity of the sector and the Regulations make a number of provisions relating to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to allow for particular personal circumstances.

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    9. Why must I register my intention to begin the professional formation process?

      By registering your intention to undertake Professional Formation you are asserting your determination to become a licensed practitioner and this will enable IfL to process your submission. In addition, registering your intention to acquire QTLS or ATLS (coupled with IfL membership) will serve as evidence to employers (current or future) of your intentions

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    10. How might I attain QTLS status if I work through an agency for an extended period of time?

      Your working situation will not affect your application for QTLS or ATLS as long as you are currently teaching within the sector, the context is irrelevant

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    11. How long will it take for me to apply for QTLS/ATLS?

      •  If you were first employed as a teacher after 1 September 2007, and you hold DTLLS or CTLLS, you have a period of 5 years from the date you were first employed in which to complete the Professional Formation process and obtain QTLS or ATLS.
      • If you were first employed as a teacher after 1 September 2007, and you hold QTS, you have a period of 2 years from the date you were first employed in which to complete the Professional Formation process and obtain QTLS or ATLS.
      • If you were employed and qualified pre September 2007, there is no time limit

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    12. What kind of files can be uploaded to REfLECT?

      The following file extensions are recognised by REfLECT:

      .avi .htm .pps .txt
      .bmp .ico .ppt .wma
      .csv .jpg .psd .wps
      .doc .mdb .pub .xls
      .docx .mdi .rtf .xml
      .dot .mht .tif .zip
      .gif .pdf .tmp
      .gwb .png .torrent


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    13. Does my supporter have to be a member of IfL?

      Preferably, but if you are unable to identify another member in your workplace, it would be acceptable to use someone else who is appropriately qualified eg staff development officer, line manager, experienced colleague, or you can consult your local CETT (Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training).

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    14. Do I have to have completed my CPD before I apply?

      CPD and Professional Formation are two separate processes.

      You could use professional formation (or part of it) for your CPD, or visa versa.

      In order to maintain your licensed status, you need to remain in good standing by completing CPD.

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    15. Where can I find the Declaration of Suitability and what should I do with it?

      This can be located on the website and you should download it, sign it, put it in an envelope marked confidential and post it to The Registrar at IfL

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    16. What is the difference between ATLS and QTLS?

      Licensed Practitioners are those in possession of either QTLS or ATLS status corresponding to the following teaching roles:

      • Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) - full teachers
      • Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS) - associate teachers

      The licence will be annually renewable with membership, subject to the member remaining in good standing with IfL and meeting the annual CPD obligation of at least 30 hours a year for full practitioners (pro-rata for part time).

      Full teachers

      This is a teaching role that carries the full range of teaching responsibilities (whether on a full-time, part-time, fractional, fixed term, temporary or agency basis) and requires the teacher to demonstrate an extensive range of knowledge, understanding and application of curriculum development, curriculum innovation or curriculum delivery strategies.

      Associate teachers

      This is a teaching role that carries significantly less than the full range of teaching responsibilities ordinarily carried out in a full teaching role (whether on a full-time, part-time, fractional, fixed term, temporary or agency basis) and does not require the teacher to demonstrate an extensive range of knowledge, understanding and application of curriculum development, curriculum innovation or curriculum delivery strategies.

      Associate teachers may also be those whose main job role is not teaching, but who do deliver learning to adults on a regular or more than an occasional basis.

      REfLECT

      http://www.ifl.ac.uk/cpd/reflect

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  • Continuing Professional Development

    1. What is expected when a CPD portfolio is put together?

      CPD is defined as any activity which has an impact on your teaching. This could include evidence of industrial/subject updating, including membership of appropriate professional bodies; development of skills in subject teaching, eg: the effective application of e-learning techniques; appreciation of the wider issues relating to learners, eg: the application of diversity and equal opportunity principles; the use of learner feedback to improve performance. Our CPD guidelines give you an excellent overview of what is expected of you in terms of recording CPD and are available from our website or upon request. You should be recording and reflecting upon these activities as they take place through the year so that they are easy to collate when the time comes to submit your CPD record.

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    2. What activities count as CPD?

      The IfL approach to CPD is personalised and evidenced through impact assessment. Your record of CPD each year should show that the activities you have undertaken for the purposes of keeping up to date with the latest developments in your subject area and your teaching have made a difference to your practice.

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    3. I want to know more about peer support and review. What is it and how do I begin the process?

      Research shows that professional conversations about CPD are vitally important for effective reflective practice. We would recommend that from the outset you share the planning and thinking about your CPD with a colleague who will able to act as critical friend and peer supporter/reviewer of your record of CPD. If your record is chosen for sampling during the audit process, the IfL will ask if your record has been shared with a colleague.

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    4. I already complete more than 30 hours CPD as part of my vocational profession. Do I need to do more?

      We recommend that members plan their CPD with the idea of maintaining a balance of development between subject specialism and teaching and learning. But in any one year priorities can change. Using your professional judgement and in discussions with your employer, you can decide on the content and balance of your CPD. You can use evidence of CPD for another professional body as part of your subject specialist updating as long as you can show the impact it has made on your teaching or training.

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    5. I work part-time or my hours are not consistent throughout the year. How does this affect my CPD requirement?

      Your expected number of hours is derived from your full time equivalency (FTE) on a pro-rata basis and to a minimum of 6 hours. If your hours are not consistent through the year, you can adjust the total required before you need to make a declaration (31st August each year).

      These hours can be broken down as such:

      Average teaching hours per week
      CPD hours
      0-4 6
      5-8 10
      9-12 14
      13-16 18
      17-20 22
      21-23 26
      24+ 30

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    6. If I leave teaching (or go on long term sick or parental leave), what is required of me in terms of recording my CPD? Do I need to notify you?

      If your status or teaching hours change please notify us. This will stop us making unnecessary demands on you. For example, if you work full time but spend 6 months on sick leave, your CPD requirement would be amended on a pro-rata basis.

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    7. Should I be recording my CPD on REfLECT? If so, is this then something that I can print off to show for my yearly appraisal?

      You can choose how you record your CPD but as a member benefit we offer you access to a REfLECT account via the members area. REfLECT allows you collate your CPD record and to send anything you create to another REfLECT user or an external contact. You can indeed print off an asset to take to your appraisal, but more than this you can share that asset with a manager/colleague/peer, ask them to comment on your work through the year and automatically record this professional dialogue as part of the peer review process.

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    8. When does the CPD year begin?

      IfL regards CPD as a process managed by the individual member but we will ask for a record of the CPD you have undertaken each year by 31 August for monitoring purposes. This does not mean necessarily that your CPD year should end/or begin at that point. It is possible for you to plan your CPD to coincide with your teaching/training year provided that you can show a CPD record of the required number of hours by the 31 August.

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    9. Who will be responsible for monitoring CPD?

      As with any profession, the individual is responsible for planning and evaluating their own CPD, but needs to recognise that they work within the context of their employers business objectives. The Government requires employers across all sectors to be fully involved in the development of their staff and investment in professional development should be of primary importance to management and staff development teams, supported by HR practice and important to external inspectors. IfL will be monitoring that all members have completed their CPD requirements each year and your record may be chosen for a more detailed  audit. You will be contacted if this is the case and we will ask you to give us access to your evidence. You will receive feedback and additional support if required.

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    10. I want to apply for QTLS/ATLS. Can I use this as evidence of my CPD?

      Yes. Those applying for QTLS or ATLS will be able to use the application process as part (or possibly all) of their CPD requirement for that year. This is because the application process will require you to reflect upon and critically analyse your qualifications and experience as a teacher or trainer

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  • General Organisational Queries

    1. I employ someone to teach for a couple of hours a week who holds no teaching qualifications. Do the regulations apply to them?

      A subject specialist who takes no part in the teaching process but who purely offers perspective on their area of expertise is regarded as a visiting lecturer and will be exempt from the regulations. Part time staff are not considered visiting lecturers, irrespective of the number of hours they work. Agency staff are also not considered as visiting lecturers and so are bound by the regulations as either Full or Associate teachers.

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    2. Who will be responsible for monitoring CPD?

      As with any profession, the individual is responsible for planning and evaluating their own CPD, but must recognise that they work within the context of the employer’s business objectives and must reflect key national priorities in post-compulsory learning. The Government requires employers across all sectors to be fully involved in the development of their staff. Investment in the professional development of teachers should be of primary importance to management and staff development teams, supported by HR practice and is likely to be of interest to external inspectors. IfL will be monitoring teachers’ CPD records on a sampled basis to ensure compliance and offer additional support when required.

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    3. What are the implications if staff do not carry out the required amount of CPD?

      Unless a member has a valid exemption from carrying out CPD such as maternity/paternity or long term sick leave, then they are expected to meet their CPD obligations. IfL is committed to assisting our members with the planning & execution of their CPD, however deliberate non compliance with the requirements will be reported to the conduct committee, with the ultimate sanction being expulsion from IfL.

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