Penta is currently undertaking the initial set of pilot inspections of iQTS training providers. These inspection pilots for a new international teaching qualification are backed by the Department for Education and UK government.

International qualified teacher status (iQTS) meets the same high standards as English qualified teacher status (QTS). Applicants for iQTS train where they live and work: they do not need to visit the UK.

The draft inspection framework we are using sets out how pilot inspections are carried out, while the iQTS inspection criteria define the standards against which providers are inspected.
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The pilot inspections are running from January 2024 to summer 2024, inspecting the provision of the initial five iQTS providers, who will then be in their second year of iQTS delivery.

The pilot is being used to ensure the iQTS inspection framework and the iQTS inspection criteria work together to deliver the necessary standards for iQTS training provision.

At the end of 2024, the Department for Education will draw on their research findings to finalise the iQTS inspection framework. This will be published and used by inspectorates from 2025 onwards.

Inspection reports