At North Hertfordshire College, we believe learning should be lifelong, no matter your age or circumstances. That’s why we encourage our staff to continue upskilling through our adult courses, including our popular teaching qualifications. We also support our teachers to aspire to higher professional teaching status including Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills status (QTLS) and Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) to raise the quality of teaching across the organisation.
QTLS is widely recognised as the professional status for teachers and trainers in further education. The process requires practitioners to reflect, apply research informed practice, demonstrate improved learner outcomes and commit to ongoing professional growth.
We also support staff members to progress onto the ATS which is a nationally recognised professional status demonstrating the highest standard of teaching and learning. The ATS strengthens leadership, coaching, mentoring and research skills, helping teachers progress into more senior and influential roles. It also boosts confidence, encourages reflective practice and maximises the overall impact on learners and organisational development.
Find out more about our graduates’ continuous learning experiences below:
Anna Copper, Health & Social Care Tutor:
Anna successfully completed our Level 5 Diploma in Teaching in 2020. The course reinforced her love for education and motivated her to go on to achieve her QTLS. She’s now completing her ATS qualification and we couldn’t be prouder.
Anna’s success doesn’t stop there! She’s now giving back to the NHC team by delivering the Level 3 Award in Education and Training as well as helping out with the Level 5 Diploma in Teaching.
Reflecting on her training experience, Anna told us: “Completing my initial teacher training course reminded me why I chose to work in education in the first place. After finishing the Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training, I went on to complete an MA short course in Advancing Pedagogy through Practitioner Research and also achieved QTLS, milestones I never anticipated when I first began.
“The journey challenged me to look beyond measurable outcomes and instead focus on what education makes possible for learners. I’ve learned that teaching isn’t about delivering information; it’s about inspiring confidence, nurturing curiosity, and helping learners put the pieces together so they can thrive in a changing world. I am thrilled to be starting a new chapter in my journey, as part of the teacher training team, where I aim to support new teachers to discover the endless possibilities that education brings.”
Jo Fourmy, Health and Social Care Apprenticeship Tutor:
Jo completed our Level 3 Award in Education and Training and our Level 5 Diploma in Teaching and is now on track to achieve her QTLS. Jo commented:
“Becoming a teacher was such an exciting prospect! I was a qualified nurse, looking to make a difference to the care and support people experience within health and social care, through teaching others best practices.
“The qualifications I have achieved since I started this role have enabled me to develop strategies and adopt activities in my own practice. Going back into learning has been challenging but certainly rewarding and worth its weight in gold.
“My journey has been an exciting and fulfilling one. The Level 3 and Level 5 courses have been fun and engaging and I have learned so much. Because of them, I have supported many learners to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours.
“I learned more than I could have imagined along the way, and I am now a reflective practitioner. My journey does not stop here; I look forward to future opportunities and know that Hart Learning & Development and North Hertfordshire College will be behind me 100%.”
Meg Parker, Supported Studies Course Team Leader:
Meg also completed our Level 3 Award in Education and Training and our Level 5 Diploma in Teaching, and we’re pleased to say she’s now working towards her QTLS. Meg shared with us: “Completing my Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training, and now working towards my QTLS, has had a genuinely transformative impact on my practice.
“The qualifications have given me far greater confidence in my teaching, behaviour management strategies and the way I support my students. I have developed a much deeper understanding of how to structure engaging, challenging and inclusive lessons, and I feel far more secure in adapting my approaches to meet a wide range of SEND needs.
“A key part of this journey has been the guidance of my teacher, Mia Newbitt (Professional Development Tutor at NHC), who is now my QTLS mentor. I have learned so much from her, from how to ‘teach to the top’ and stretch all learners, to how to design purposeful activities that keep students motivated and involved. Having her expertise to draw on has helped me improve my practice and build my confidence.”
We’re incredibly proud of our staff’s continued commitment to learning and development.
Could you advance your career through training, like our staff do? Be the best you. Ever. Explore adult learning courses at North Hertfordshire College.