Deaf teachers – training as a QToD
Routes into becoming a QToD if you are deaf
Qualified Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People (QToDs) are experienced teachers with an additional mandatory qualification (MQ) in childhood deafness who have the skills, knowledge, and expertise required to provide quality support to deaf babies, and young people from 0 to 25* years and their families, in the home and in educational settings (mainstream and specialist provisions).
In order to train as QToDs in schools or services, teachers must have qualified teacher status (QTS)**, or full recognition in Scotland, and have had some classroom experience before undertaking a QToD mandatory qualification course. It is also possible, in England, to train with Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) status, but this may limit the age groups of CYP with whom you can work once trained. All QToDs must have specialist training and qualifications.
* upper age differs across the UK
**In England, the Early Career Teacher (ECT) induction period remains a two-year requirement after gaining QTS.
Foundation degrees like the Teaching and Learning Foundation Degree are still viable pathways to QTS, especially for working professionals, without degrees.
Obtaining a teaching qualification
In England***, Northern Ireland, and Wales there are several ways of achieving QTS. For more information visit the Department for Education (DfE) (England), Initial teacher education course (Northern Ireland) and Initial teacher education (Wales) websites.
**** QTLS applies in England only
In Scotland, you become a qualified teacher by taking a course that leads to full recognition with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS). See here for further details: https://teachinscotland.scot/. Teachers from other parts of the UK wishing to move to Scotland need to approach GTCS about how to gain recognition: www.gtcs.org.uk/registration/qualified-outside-scotland.aspx
Deaf people who have the relevant qualifications are encouraged to apply to train as QToDs. Their contribution to the education of deaf CYP is particularly valuable. They should discuss their application and support needs with the mandatory qualification course provider to which they are applying. The full list of courses available is as follows:
Frequently asked questions
If I complete a Primary education PGCE, can I only teach in primary schools after I have the QToD MQ?
No, once you have the MQ (QToDs) you, as a QToD, can work across the birth-adulthood age range. The MQ focuses on the implications of deafness for each CYP
from identification through to transition to adulthood and therefore
- informs practice at all stages
- ensures the flexibility of the workforce
- ensures an understanding of a DCYP’s journey to adulthood
- embeds a holistic understanding of the development of DCYP
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Can deaf teachers apply to the Con Powell Memorial Scholarships and other bursary options?
Yes, any teacher with QTS or QTLS in England, can apply to Con Powell Scholarship award provided they are an UK residents and are intending to study at one of
the four course providers in England.
Some MQ course providers have access to their own bursary streams and should be contacted directly.
If I complete the MQ (QToD) in a UK nation eg England, can I work as a QToD in other parts of the UK?
You can work as a QToD in other parts of the UK but must clarify with the employer the prior teaching experience requirements.
I want to move to the UK. I have a qualification to teach deaf children. Do I need to complete another qualification to be a QToD in the UK?
International students should seek advice about the status of their teaching qualification from the department of education in the UK nation.
Is there a network group specific to deaf teachers?
There are over 100 deaf people across the UK working in deaf education or starting their journey as a teacher(s). The DToD Facebook group UK-wide. Some
members are QToDs whilst some teach hearing children.
The group is welcoming to trainees. The group is great for networking and advice during training and during teaching on deaf related issues.
In Scotland there is also an Instant Messenger support group used by deaf teachers, and deaf people interested in becoming teachers.
Part-time QToD mandatory qualification courses:
England:
Mary Hare courses in partnership with Liverpool John Moore University
Scotland:
The University of Edinburgh – In Scotland there is one ToD course provider. The University of Edinburgh has a BSL Plan because of the Scottish BSL Act (2015).Deaf signing students on the Postgraduate diploma inclusive education (deaf learners pathway) can submit assignments for many courses in BSL because the tutor can mark in BSL, the team can moderate BSL assignments and the external examiner is currently a fluent deaf BSL signer.
