OK, I managed to check with the TRA again (had forgotten my teacher reference number, but they just sent it to me now so I've been able to check).

A couple of years ago it seems my fail was updated to show a record of 'fail' next to the 'initial teacher training' section on 'course outcome'. It doesn't outright say I'm barred, but yeah, might be a bit of an issue getting QTS even if I did get a license in the US.

Alright so next question...how common is it for an IS to actually check on QTS status when making new hires, providing the PGCE certificate looks totally legit? My current school never checked - is this more the exception or the norm?

Basically, would I be better off just counting my blessings that I do actually have a decent job, and dig in here for the long haul? Or is it more likely that a new school, four years post-PGCE, is probably only going to ask my HoD and Headteacher for a reference, and assume that I have QTS as I'm already employed in an IS?

Thanks for the help,

The last time I checked, the DfE had on record that I was a 'student teacher' - with pretty much no other information. It certainly didn't list that I'd failed to get QTS, and definitely nothing about being 'barred'. I think you only get officially barred if you fail induction or if you fail for a reason that suggested you would be a danger around the kids - I failed for classroom management reasons so just 'being a bad teacher' I guess (UK kids in state schools, like I say are awful. Thankfully nothing like this in the school I'm at now). I do have a Department for Education number actually (got that wrong in my first post, we were issued them shortly before we started our student placements), but of course, no QTS certificate.

Yes I needed to do a DBS CRB for my current school which came back clean - I didn't fail for any 'criminal' reasons, they just basically said I sucked at the job. My school currently is a British School, not an American one - would that impact my chances of getting any of the US credentials you listed?

Looking at my transcript itself, it would be very difficult for anyone to know that I failed anything unless they were an alumni of the same university or specifically inquired about the QTS certificate. The transcript has on it the academic modules I took exams in (and passed). It also has on it a number of other modules which were required to complete the course but not assessed by exam - my school placements fall into this section, with no indication that I failed them (only the actual assessed coursework has a grade mark next to it, all the other modules and the placements are just listed under a separate heading indicating they were attended and 'completed').

Under such circumstances, it would seem like it would be best to do a NACES evaluation to see if they would also be fooled that it was a 'true' PGCE with QTS. What actually happens in these NACES evaulations? Do they just look at the transcript (in which case I'd be very confident they'd conclude it was a 'legit' PGCE) or do they actually phone your university to ask them about your track record?

So basically, if I have this right - NACES evaulation, if it comes back positive, get the HI Standard Credential, then use that to apply for QTS right away?

Might be a sensitive subject, but anyway...

I took a UK based PGCE five years ago. The qualification was setup so that if you passed the academic exams you were awarded a PGCE, and if you passed the school based placements you were awarded QTS. It was possible to obtain one without the other. I passed the academic exams, but failed the school placements. What can I say, UK kids are horrible and the staff at these state schools are even worse.

I was duly awarded a PGCE. On the transcript, there's no indication that I'd failed to get QTS - it just lists the academic modules I passed, and says Postgraduate Certificate in Education on the front. Of course, I don't have my teacher number from the DoE, or a QTS certificate.

I was able to use that certificate to get employment at a fairly well paying school. Not saying exactly where for obvious reasons. They never asked directly about QTS status, but as part of the interview they did ask about my experiences of student teaching, and I drew upon those experiences to answer their questions. I've no doubt whatsoever that the school I'm currently employed at believes I have QTS. All the other teachers do, when I was hired the Head of Department actually made a comment that they get lots of people applying with PGCEi's that the school won't accept as they're not really qualified etc. Clearly I slipped through the net and the school never actually dug that deep to find out if my PGCE can with QTS, but I know they assumed it did.

I'm saying this just so it's clear I cannot do an assessment only route to get qualified. I've worked here for four years with no problems and no complaints, but I can't have an assessor come in and observe my classes to get QTS because the school already thinks I have it. That's if I'd even pass it this time around which is no guarantee.

Ideally I'd like to move somewhere else next year, since I'd like to see new places and new things, and four years here seems like long enough. That means the license issue might raise its head again...I might not get as lucky 2nd time around when recruiting.

What options are there for me to get a teaching licence under these conditions? I've heard on here that some people have been able to use PGCEi's to get a license in the US, which is essentially what I have right now - a piece of paper that says PGCE on it along with a transcript which lists my academic passes.

Anyone about to come in here and say I should tell my current school and face the consequences because honestly is the best policy etc - save your text, because it's not going to happen. You have to look out for yourself, no one else will in this world.