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Accreditation of Prior Learning through the Programme Route

Accreditation of prior learning (APL), in relation to the Chartered Teacher Programme Route, is a process which enables teachers to gain academic credit for either formal certificated learning (existing certificates or diplomas), or experiential learning (through developing practice or by attending non award bearing courses - sometimes called APEL).

When making an APL claim you are in effect endeavouring to gain academic credit towards a CT programme which then enables you to to by-pass some of the modules at a given level and also climb the CT pay scale more quickly.

 Claims for APL must be considered in the light of the statemnt from the GTCS that: ‘there will be no automatic transfer of credit from existing qualifications to programmes leading to the award of Chartered Teacher’. So although you may well have a range of appropriate and worthwhile qualifications and experience, to gain credit for these you must demonstrate how they relate to the Standard for CT.

APL in the context of what the GTCS has set out for all claimants is about the learning (formal and informal) you have undertaken and, more importantly, how this learning has directly impacted on your professional practice. It is about deep reflection and anaylsis and not about claims that are predominantly descriptive/anecdotal.

After successfully completing  Module 1 Self Evaluation candidates going through the Programme Route are able to claim up to a maximum of 50% of the Chartered Teacher Programme (i.e. 6 module equivalents) as prior learning.

A minimum of 50% of any claim must also provide evidence of professional achievement. Detailed information regarding accreditation of prior learning should be sought from the individual Accredited Chartered Teacher Providers as all higher educational institutions have slightly different rules and procedures for dealing with this process.

Note the word counts outlined by the GTC: (see Achieving the Standard for Chartered Teachers, Guidelines for Accreditation, Sections 5.2 and Annex 1)

1 module equivalent 2500 - 3500 words + evidence

2 module equivalent 3500 - 4500 words + evidence

3 module equivalent 4500 - 5500 words + evidence

4 module equivalent 5400 - 6600 words + evidence

5 module equivalent 6500 - 7700 words + evidence

6 module equivalent 7200 - 8800 words + evidence

The Full Accreditation Route

The Accreditation Route has been designed for experienced teachers who are confident that their professional actions are already at Chartered Teacher level and who have sufficient evidence and commentary to support their application. This option is available until August 2008.

After successfully completing Module 1 Self Evaluation, teachers can choose to register with GTC Scotland to complete the remainder of their CT Programme, the equivalent of 11 modules, by preparing and submitting an Accreditation Route claim.

This claim is the equivalent of a masters degree and it should be noted that the work submitted by candidates should be of a comparable standard.

The Accreditation Route involves candidates submitting a Portfolio and Commentary produced from current and recent practice and the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) which shows how the teacher has met all the competencies of The Standard for Chartered Teacher.

Find out How to Apply for the Accreditation Route.