Key dates and information for your staff

IfL members are required to fulfil a number of tasks each year in order to demonstrate that they remain in good professional standing.

Membership renewal: 1 April

Why?

Learners are at the heart of the work of our members and IfL. As IfL members, your staff receive support and resources to enable effective continuing professional development (CPD), benefiting the learners served by your organisation. By renewing their membership, your staff will continue to receive benefits and support in their professional practice. This is ultimately of benefit to your learners' experience and the quality of teaching they receive.

The membership year runs from 1 April to 31 March each year (with renewals possible from early February). 

From 1 April 2011, there are a number of options for membership; one year to 31 March 2012 and two years to 31 March 2013.

The standard fees for 2011/2012 for each grade are listed below:

For further details including concessionary rates visit the FAQs section and choose "Membership and Registration" from the drop down menu.

More about IfL membership.

CPD declaration: 1 June – 31 August

Why?

Continuing professional development (CPD) works and makes a difference to the practice of teachers and trainers and benefits learners.IfL members are required to complete 30 hours of CPD each year (pro rata for part time teachers, with a minimum of 6 hours).

By declaring the number of hours of CPD completed, your staff demonstrate that they are remaining in good professional standing in their vocational and subject areas - that they are brilliant dual professionals.

If any member of staff is unable to complete their required number of CPD hours in any year, for example, because of extended absence due to sickness or maternity leave, they must notify IfL and this will be acknowledged.

More about CPD.

Achieving QTLS or ATLS through professional formation

Why?

Professional formation is the route to achieving Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) or Associate Teacher Learning and Skills (ATLS) status. QTLS and ATLS provide recognition for the learning teachers and trainers acquire through their professional practice.

As part of their continuing professional development, many members undertake professional formation voluntarily in order to keep up to date with new teaching and learning practices and to demonstrate to their employers their dedication to updating their skills. The simple and straightforward process also highlights how much evidence an individual already has at their disposal, making it a rewarding experience. By encouraging your staff to undertake professional formation, you are helping to raise the status of the profession as a whole.

Teaching practitioners who started teaching in the FE and skills sector after 1 September 2007 are required to complete the professional formation process to achieve QTLS or ATLS status:

• within five years if they hold DTLLS or CTLLS
• within two years if they hold QTS

Teachers, trainers and tutors who started teaching before 1 September 2007 are not required to gain QTLS or ATLS but are encouraged to do so as a demonstration of currency of teaching practice.

There are three stages in the professional formation process:

1. Member expresses their intent to complete professional formation
2. Member applies for QTLS or ATLS
3. IfL reviews and moderates the member’s completed application

Members have three opportunities each year to apply.  Find the dates for each ‘round’ of professional formation here.

More about professional formation.

FE and skills regulations

Requirements for the qualifications and CPD required of teachers and trainers in the FE and skills sector are laid out in the following regulations:

• Further Education Teachers’ Continuing Professional Development and Registration (England) Regulations 2007

• Further Education Teachers’ Qualifications (England) Regulations 2007