Title, commencement and application

1. The title of these Regulations is the School Teachers' Qualifications (Wales) Regulations 2012 and they come into force on 1 April 2012.

2. These Regulations apply in relation to Wales.

Interpretation

3. In these Regulations-

"the 1982 Regulations" ("Rheoliadau 1982") means the Education (Teachers) Regulations 1982(4);

"the 1989 Regulations" ("Rheoliadau 1989") means the Education (Teachers) Regulations 1989(5);

"the 1993 Regulations" ("Rheoliadau 1993") means the Education (Teachers) Regulations 1993(6);

"the 1999 Regulations" ("Rheoliadau 1999") means the Education (Teachers' Qualifications and Health Standards) (Wales) Regulations 1999(7);

"the 2004 Regulations" ("Rheoliadau 2004") means the Education (School Teachers' Qualifications) (Wales) Regulations 2004(8);

"the 2006 Scheme" ("Cynllun 2006") means the Employment Based Teacher Training Scheme 2006 made by the National Assembly for Wales on 24 February 2006(9) pursuant to regulation 8 of the 2004 Regulations, as amended by the National Assembly for Wales Employment Based Teacher Training Scheme (Amendment) 2006 on 15 November 2006(10);

"the 2011 Scheme" ("Cynllun 2011") means the Employment Based Teacher Training Scheme 2011 made by the Welsh Ministers on 25 August 2011 pursuant to regulation 8 of the 2004 Regulations(11);

"academy" ("academi") means an independent school in England to which academy arrangements relate;

"academy arrangements" ("trefniadau academi") has the meaning given by section 1 of the Academies Act 2010(12);

"accredited institution" ("sefydliad achrededig") means an institution accredited by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales under regulation 7;

"accredited institution in England" ("sefydliad achrededig yn Lloegr ") means an institution approved or accredited as a provider of courses or programmes of initial school teacher training in England under regulations made by the Secretary of State under section 132 of the Education Act 2002;

"city college" ("coleg dinasol") means a city technology college or a city college for the technology of the arts;

"the Council" ("y Cyngor") means the General Teaching Council for Wales(13);

"employment" ("cyflogaeth") means employment under a contract of employment or the engagement of a person to provide services otherwise than under a contract of employment; and references to being "employed" are to be construed accordingly;

"employment-based teacher training scheme" ("cynllun hyfforddi athrawon ar sail cyflogaeth") means the scheme described in regulation 8 or where the context so requires the schemes described in paragraphs 3 to 5 of Schedule 1;

"employment-based teacher training scheme in England" ("cynllun hyfforddi athrawon ar sail cyflogaeth yn Lloegr") means a scheme established by the Secretary of State under regulations made under section 132 of the Education Act 2002 whereby a person may undertake initial teacher training in order to obtain qualified teacher status while being employed to teach;

"foreign institution" ("sefydliad estron") means any institution other than a United Kingdom institution;

"foundation phase" ("cyfnod sylfaen") is to be construed in accordance with section 102 of the Education Act 2002(14);

"institution" ("sefydliad") means, unless the context otherwise requires, an institution within the further education sector or an institution within the higher education sector;

"school" ("ysgol") means a school maintained by a local authority or a special school not so maintained;

"specified standards" ("safonau penodedig") means the standards applying at the time of assessment specified by the Welsh Ministers from time to time as the standards required of persons who seek to become qualified teachers;

"specified standards in England" ("safonau penodedig yn Lloegr") means the standards applying at the time of assessment as specified by the Secretary of State from time to time as the standards required of persons who seek to achieve qualified teacher status in England;

"teaching" ("addysgu") means carrying out work of a kind which is specified by regulations made under section 133 of the Education Act 2002(15) and "to teach" is to be construed accordingly;

"United Kingdom institution" ("sefydliad yn y Deyrnas Unedig") means an institution established in the United Kingdom, other than one which is, or is affiliated to or forms part of, an institution whose principal establishment is outside the United Kingdom; and

references to the second, third or fourth key stages are to be construed in accordance with section 103 of the Education Act 2002(16).

Revocation and saving and transitional provisions

4.-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the 2004 Regulations are revoked.

(2) The saving and transitional provisions in Schedule 1 are to have effect.

Qualified Teacher Status

5. Subject to regulations 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the 1999 Regulations, persons are qualified teachers if they are persons mentioned in-

(a)paragraphs 1 to 7 of Schedule 2 who have received written notification from the Welsh Ministers or the Council in accordance with regulation 6;

(b)paragraphs 8 to 10 of Schedule 2-

(i)in respect of whom the States of Guernsey Education Department has submitted to the Welsh Ministers or the Council a statement that they satisfy the requirements specified in one of those paragraphs; and

(ii)who have received written notification from the Welsh Ministers or the Council in accordance with regulation 6;

(c)paragraphs 4 to 10 of Schedule 2 who are qualified teachers by virtue of regulations made in relation to England under section 132 of the Education Act 2002; or

(d)paragraphs 11 to 14 of Schedule 2.

Notification of qualified teacher status

6.-(1) Persons mentioned in paragraphs 1 to 3 of Schedule 2 must be notified in writing by the Welsh Ministers or the Council that they are qualified teachers.

(2) Persons mentioned in paragraphs 4 to 7 of Schedule 2 who are not qualified teachers by virtue of regulation 5(c) must be notified in writing by the Welsh Ministers or the Council that they are qualified teachers.

(3) Persons mentioned in paragraphs 8 to 10 of Schedule 2-

(a)who are not qualified teachers by virtue of regulation 5(c) on the grounds that they are not qualified teachers by virtue of regulations made in relation to England under section 132 of the Education Act 2002; and

(b)in respect of whom the States of Guernsey Education Department has submitted to the Welsh Ministers or the Council a statement that they satisfy the requirements specified in one of those paragraphs,

must be notified in writing by the Welsh Ministers or the Council that they are qualified teachers.

(4) Subject to paragraphs (5) to (9), persons who receive written notification under paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) are qualified from such date as the Welsh Ministers or the Council provide in the notification.

(5) In the case of persons mentioned in paragraph 2 of Schedule 2, the Welsh Ministers or the Council must not provide for such persons to be qualified teachers from a date prior to the date on which the assessment referred to in that paragraph is completed.

(6) In the case of persons mentioned in paragraph 5 of Schedule 2, the Welsh Ministers or the Council must provide for such persons to be qualified teachers from the date of successful completion of the course of initial school teacher training in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

(7) In the case of persons mentioned in paragraph 6 of Schedule 2, the Welsh Ministers or the Council must provide for such persons to be qualified teachers from the date of full registration as school teachers with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

(8) In the case of persons mentioned in paragraph 7 of Schedule 2, the Welsh Ministers or the Council must provide for such persons to be qualified teachers from the date of registration as school teachers with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland.

(9) In the case of persons mentioned in paragraphs 8 to 10 of Schedule 2, the Welsh Ministers or the Council must not provide for such persons to be qualified teachers from a date prior to the date on which they completed the period of service as teachers licensed by the States of Guernsey Education Department as specified in the statement of the States of Guernsey Education Department.

Accredited Institutions

7.-(1) Subject to paragraph (2), the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales may accredit an institution as a provider of courses or programmes of initial school teacher training.

(2) The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales may only accredit an institution that satisfies such criteria as may be specified by the Welsh Ministers from time to time.

(3) The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales may withdraw the accreditation of an institution in accordance with such criteria as may be specified by the Welsh Ministers from time to time.

(4) Before specifying criteria under paragraphs (2) and (3) the Welsh Ministers must consult the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales.

Employment-based teacher training scheme

8.-(1) The Welsh Ministers may establish a scheme whereby persons who are or who have been employed in a school or other educational institution (except a pupil referral unit(17)) may become qualified teachers.

(2) A scheme established under paragraph (1) is to be known as an employment-based teacher training scheme.

(3) Such a scheme may make provision for the programme of training persons must undertake.

(4) Such a scheme may make provision for persons to be assessed by an accredited institution to determine whether they meet the specified standards without undertaking further training.

(5) Any person or body exercising a function by virtue of this regulation must have regard to any guidance given from time to time by the Welsh Ministers as to the exercise of that function.

Consequential Amendments

9. In regulations 11, 12 and 13(1) of the 1999 Regulations, for "a qualified teacher in accordance with regulation 5 of the Education (School Teachers' Qualifications) (Wales) Regulations 2004" substitute "a qualified teacher in accordance with regulation 5 of the School Teachers' Qualifications (Wales) Regulations 2012".

10. In the Education (Induction Arrangements for School Teachers) (Wales) Regulations 2005(18) in Schedule 1-

(a)in paragraph 22(c) insert after "is a qualified teacher" the words "by virtue of regulation 5 of, and paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the School Teachers' Qualifications (Wales) Regulations 2012 or";

(b)for paragraph 22(d) substitute-

"(d)has been assessed as meeting the standards mentioned in regulation 13 by an institution accredited by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales under regulation 7 of the School Teachers' Qualifications (Wales) Regulations 2012 or a person approved by the Welsh Ministers.";

(c)in paragraph 23(a)-

(i)insert after "is a qualified teacher" the words "by virtue of regulation 5 of, and paragraph 7 of Schedule 2 to the School Teachers' Qualifications (Wales) Regulations 2012 or"; and

(ii)after "who" insert "in either case";

(d)for paragraph 23(b) substitute-

"(b)has been assessed as meeting the standards mentioned in regulation 13 by an institution accredited by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales under regulation 7 of the School Teachers' Qualifications (Wales) Regulations 2012 or a person approved by the Welsh Ministers.".

11. In the Further Education Teachers' Qualifications (Wales) Regulations 2002(19)-

(a)in regulation 2-

(i)omit the definition of "school teachers' qualification" ("cymhwyster athrawon ysgol");

(ii)in the appropriate place, insert " "the 2012 Regulations" ("Rheoliadau 2012") means the School Teachers' Qualifications (Wales) Regulations 2012"; and

(b)in each of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of regulation 3-

(i)after "(if it occurs)," insert "either be a qualified teacher by virtue of regulation 5 of the 2012 Regulations or";

(ii)omit sub-paragraph (a).

Regulation 4

SCHEDULE 1Saving and Transitional Provisions

Accreditation of institutions providing initial teacher training

1. Any accreditation given for the purposes of or having effect as if given for the purposes of regulation 7 of the 2004 Regulations and in force immediately before the coming into force of these Regulations is to have effect as if given for the purposes of regulation 7 of these Regulations.

Persons who commenced a course of initial teacher training in Wales prior to 1 September 2008

2. Paragraph 1(c) of Schedule 2 does not apply in the case of persons who commenced a course of initial teacher training in Wales prior to 1 September 2008 and had not been notified in writing that they were qualified teachers under regulation 6 of the 2004 Regulations on or before 31 March 2012.

The employment based teacher training schemes made under the 2004 Regulations

3. Subject to the transitional provisions set out in the 2011 Scheme, the 2006 Scheme is to continue in force until 1 September 2012.

4. Where a person successfully completes a period of training on the 2006 Scheme or otherwise satisfies the requirements of that scheme, paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 is to be read as if after "accredited institution" the words "or by a person approved by the Welsh Ministers as competent to assess a trainee teacher's competence against the specified standards in accordance with that scheme" were inserted.

5. The 2011 Scheme, which is to apply in relation to programmes of training commencing on or after 1 September 2012 is to continue in force until such time as a scheme is established by the Welsh Ministers under regulation 8 of these Regulations or until revoked by the Welsh Ministers, whichever occurs first.

Regulations 5 and 6

SCHEDULE 2Qualified Teacher Status Requirements

1. Persons who-

(a)hold a first degree or equivalent qualification awarded by a United Kingdom institution or an equivalent degree or other qualification awarded by a foreign institution;

(b)have successfully completed a course of initial teacher training at an accredited institution in Wales;

(c)have undertaken a period of practical teaching experience for the purposes of that course of initial teacher training-

(i)wholly or mainly in a school or other educational institution (except a pupil referral unit) in Wales at which the National Curriculum for Wales is taught in relation to the foundation phase, or the second, third or fourth key stages, as is appropriate to the school or institution; and

(ii)where the practical teaching experience at the school or institution referred to in paragraph (i) corresponds with and is appropriate to that course of initial teacher training; and

(d)are assessed by the accredited institution as meeting the specified standards.

2. Persons who-

(a)have successfully completed a period of training on an employment-based teacher training scheme or otherwise satisfied the requirements of the scheme; and

(b)are assessed as meeting the specified standards by an accredited institution.

3. Persons who satisfied the requirements for receiving written notification that they were qualified teachers under the 1982 Regulations, the 1989 Regulations, the 1993 Regulations, the 1999 Regulations or the 2004 Regulations, and the only reason why they are not qualified teachers is that they did not receive such notification.

4. Persons who as respects the profession of school teacher are entitled to practise in the United Kingdom pursuant to Part 2 and Chapters 1, 2 and 4 of Part 3 of the European Communities (Recognition of Professional Qualifications) Regulations 2007(20).

5. Persons who have successfully completed a course of initial school teacher training at an educational institution in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

6. Persons who have full registration as teachers of primary or secondary education with the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

7. Persons who-

(a)are registered as a qualified teacher with the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland; and

(b)have undertaken a period of practical teaching experience of at least sixty days in aggregate at an educational institution in Northern Ireland.

8. Persons who have as a teacher licensed by the States of Guernsey Education Department successfully completed two school years' full-time service, or an equivalent period if served part-time, and the training specified in the licence.

9. Persons who-

(a)have successfully completed not less than one school year's service as a teacher licensed by the States of Guernsey Education Department and the training specified in the licence; and

(b)before the date of commencement of the licence, had been employed for not less than two years as-

(i)a teacher or lecturer at an independent school (including a city college or academy) or an institution or a university in the United Kingdom;

(ii)instructors or education officers in the Armed Forces of the Crown;

(iii)instructors under-

(aa)paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the 1993 Regulations;

(bb)paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the Education (Teachers' Qualifications and Health Standards) (England) Regulations 1999(21);

(cc)paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the 1999 Regulations;

(dd)paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 to the Education (Specified Work and Registration) (England) Regulations 2003(22); or

(ee)paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the Education (Specified Work and Registration) (Wales) Regulations 2004(23); or

(iv)a person with special qualifications or special experience under paragraph 3 of Schedule 2 to the Education (Specified Work and Registration) (Wales) Regulations 2010(24),

and were not dismissed on grounds other than redundancy.

10. Persons who-

(a)have successfully completed not less than one school term's service as a teacher licensed by the States of Guernsey Education Department and the training proposed in the recommendation for a licence;

(b)had, before the date of commencement of the licence, successfully completed either-

(i)a course of at least three years' duration of initial school teacher training at an educational institution outside Wales and England; or

(ii)a first degree course and a post-graduate course of initial school teacher training at such an institution (whether or not the same institution); and

(c)had been employed for not less than one year as a teacher or lecturer in a school, independent school (including city college or academy), institution or university or other educational institution either in Wales or England or elsewhere and were not dismissed on grounds other than redundancy.

11. Persons who-

(a)hold a first degree or equivalent qualification awarded by a United Kingdom institution or an equivalent degree or other qualification awarded by a foreign institution;

(b)have successfully completed a course of initial teacher training at an accredited institution in England;

(c)have undertaken a period of practical teaching experience for the purposes of that course of initial teacher training wholly or mainly in a school, city college, academy, independent school or other institution (except a pupil referral unit) in England, or in a school administered by Service Children's Education(25);

(d)are assessed by the institution in sub-paragraph (b) as meeting the specified standards in England; and

(e)are qualified teachers by virtue of regulations made in relation to England under section 132 of the Education Act 2002.

12. Persons who-

(a)hold a first degree or equivalent qualification awarded by a United Kingdom institution or an equivalent degree or other qualification awarded by a foreign institution;

(b)are assessed by an accredited institution in England as meeting such criteria as may from time to time be specified by the Secretary of State;

(c)have undertaken a period of practical teaching experience such that the person is assessed by the institution in sub-paragraph (b) as meeting the specified standards in England; and

(d)are qualified teachers by virtue of regulations made in relation to England under section 132 of the Education Act 2002.

13. Persons who-

(a)have successfully completed a period of training on an employment-based teacher training scheme in England;

(b)are assessed as meeting the specified standards in England; and

(c)are qualified teachers by virtue of regulations made in relation to England under section 132 of the Education Act 2002.

14. Persons who are qualified teachers by virtue of regulation 5 of the 2004 Regulations.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations revoke and re-enact provisions of the Education (School Teachers' Qualifications) (Wales) Regulations 2004 ("the 2004 Regulations"), with some revised provisions in Schedule 2 and some updating and minor drafting changes generally. These Regulations also make saving and transitional provisions and consequential amendments.

Obsolete provisions in the 2004 Regulations have not been re-enacted.

Regulation 4 revokes the 2004 Regulations and makes the saving and transitional provisions set out in Schedule 1.

Regulation 5 and Schedule 2 specify the requirements to be met before persons are qualified teachers in Wales and thus accorded qualified teacher status.

Regulation 6 provides that the Welsh Ministers or the General Teaching Council for Wales are to notify certain persons who meet the requirements in Schedule 2 that they are qualified teachers and sets out the date from which such notification takes effect.

Regulation 7 enables the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales to accredit institutions which provide courses of initial school teacher training and satisfy criteria specified by the Welsh Ministers.

Regulation 8 allows the Welsh Ministers to establish an employment based teacher training scheme which enables persons to train to become teachers whilst employed. Under the scheme, persons may be assessed by accredited institutions to determine whether they meet the specified standards without further training. Guidance on the scheme may be issued by the Welsh Ministers, to which persons exercising functions under the scheme must have regard. Saving provisions in Schedule 1 provide for the employment based teacher training schemes established under the 2004 Regulations to continue despite the revocation of the 2004 Regulations.

Regulations 9 to 11 make consequential amendments to other regulations inserting references to these Regulations, in some cases in substitution for references to the 2004 Regulations. Regulation 10 also amends the Education (Induction Arrangements for School Teachers) (Wales) Regulations 2005 to provide that certain assessments may be carried out by accredited institutions.