OTTP four-year rule
The four-year rule for overseas trained teachers (OTTs) states that you can teach for up to four years before you have to be awarded QTS. If you have not achieved QTS in this time, you can no longer teach. The four years start from the first day that you teach in a mainstream school in England, and includes any time out of service.
If the four-year rule applies to you, you will need to complete a programme such as a flexible PGCE to gain QTS, or gain employment in an independent school to continue teaching. For further information on the OTTP four-year rule please visit the TDA website.
It is also worth considering any changes that have been made to the student visa system. For instance from March 2009 the following will come into effect; all colleges and universities that want to recruit foreign students will need a sponsor licence, every student will need a licensed sponsor, and stricter rules to protect the UK’s labour market.
Then from autumn 2009 the system will be tightened further with the introduction of a ’sponsor management system’ – dedicated technology that will make it easier for universities and colleges to inform the UK Border Agency if students fail to enrol or miss more than ten sessions. For further information on these changes visit the UK Border Agency website.
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