Not collected in November 2020, to return in November 2021
Note: to reduce burdens on schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, qualifications data is not being collected in the November 2020 workforce census. However it will return in 2021 so this information has been retained for reference purposes.
Q. If a teacher has been in post for many years and their teaching qualification says they have a teaching certificate, how should this be recorded?
A. ‘Certificate in Education or equivalent’ should be selected in this instance.
Q. If a teacher gained their degree some time ago and there isn’t a subject code to match the subject of that degree, what should I record?
A. If you cannot match it to one of the generic Z codes then please leave the subject blank – don’t try to find a ‘best fit’. The appropriate qualification should still be selected but do not enter a subject code.
Q. Do we need to include qualifications for Teaching Assistants?
A. Yes, qualifications at Level 4 (post A Level) or above are collected for all teachers, teaching assistants and non-teaching school leaders.
Q. What about all the support staff? Surely schools will want to record their qualifications as well, if only to support their decisions to employ them.
A. Qualifications at Level 4 (post A level) or higher are not required for ‘other support staff’. If schools record this information in their MI system then it may be returned as part of the census (schools will need to check with their MI systems supplier).
Q. Which qualification should be recorded, the one that qualifies them to teach or the highest qualification they hold?
A. All qualifications relevant to their engagement as a teacher, achieved at a level 4 or higher, should be recorded.