The Department of Education is committed to supporting the University policies relating to improving access to and widening participation in Higher Education. This includes, within the resources available to us, supporting students with a range of disabilities who wish to become teachers.
Courses leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) carry professional as well as academic requirements. The DfEE Guidelines in Circular 4/99 indicate that schools and institutions offering courses leading to QTS must take advice from a medical adviser on applicant’s “fitness to teach”. Medical advisers place candidates in one of three categories: in good health and free of conditions that are likely to affect their efficiency in teaching; fit for the teaching profession but with a condition that is likely to affect to some extent their efficiency in teaching — this includes people who would need a “reasonable adjustment”; and those who are unfit for the teaching profession.
A procedure for the admission of disabled students on to courses leading to QTS at the University of Gloucestershire has been produced to highlight to potential students the process we go through with regard to admissions. It shows how a candidate is judged on their academic ability, whilst identifying the support requirements that the University may put in place to assist their studies.
This procedure should be applicable for any applicant or student who has a disability, specific learning difficulty or mental health difficulty. If you are unsure of declaring a disability, please don’t hesitate to contact a Disability Adviser (01242 714541 or disability@glos.ac.uk) for confidential advice.
Should a disability come to light after commencing a course, we will endeavour to provide the appropriate support necessary. However, we may not be able to arrange the required support immediately.
Procedure for the admissions of disabled students on to courses leading to Qualified Teacher Status