Barnfield tutor makes the grade for prestigious Advanced Teacher Status

Barnfield College is thrilled to announce one of its longstanding members of staff is one of a select cohort of education professionals to be awarded Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) from the Education and Training Foundation (ETF).

Centre Leader for Barnfield’s Cert Ed/PGCE programme Elaine Battams has been teaching in the post-compulsory sector for over 20 years, and is now one of just 19 professionals in the UK to secure ATS status – a badge of advanced professionalism and mastery in further education and training.

The ATS scheme, which is equivalent to a Level 7 qualification offers further development from Qualified Teaching Learning and Skills status recognising three key attributes – mastery in teaching and training, an exemplary level of subject knowledge in a chosen area of expertise and effectiveness in working collaboratively to improve teaching standards amongst an organisation.

Within the prestigious first cohort of ATS, Elaine now has a new nationally recognised qualification – a deserved and highly sought-after badge of recognition for advanced teachers and trainers in education. She is also able to proudly claim Chartered Teacher Status.

Launched in June 2017, over 50 entered the programme which required professionals to document their learning journey as underpinned by the ETF’s 20 Professional Standards. The programme is constructed of four phases – assessment of current practice, developing an action plan to develop practice, development activities and implementing change via a critical reflection and action research.

With an extensive career in Childcare and Early Years with a particular interest in Safeguarding, Elaine continues to teach on Higher Education programmes in Child Health and Social Care at Barnfield College in addition to her role as Course Manager for Teacher Training and as Advanced Learning Practitioner. This latest ATS accolade builds on her BA (Hons) in Post Compulsory Education, MSc in Child Protection and QTLS status within the college.

Barnfield College’s Director of Teaching Learning and Assessment Lisa Milligan said: “Elaine’s achievement is a true testament to her hard work, expertise and professionalism in her career and is well deserved. Undertaking ATS provides a unique opportunity to showcase not only an individual’s excellent knowledge, skills and practice, but demonstrates a commitment to developing others and influencing change. We are very proud of her achievements.”

The first 23 individuals to gain Advanced Teacher Status have been celebrating their achievement after their names were announced in November.

They work in Further Education across the length and breadth of the country and are drawn from colleges, schools and training providers.

Reflecting on their achievement, they have highlighted the value of going through the process that has led to it, and the positive impact it has had on both their own practice and the contribution they are able to make to their institution and the wider profession:

“Achieving ATS shows that I am committed to my role and the Professional Standards and that I can use my skills and expertise to support others. I am very proud to be able to say that I am one of the first in the country to achieve ATS.”

“ATS was important to me as it facilitated the further professional growth needed to obtain mastery status in teaching and learning. It involved a steep personal journey which made me critically reflect and evaluate, then refine my practice.”

“Completing ATS has been an extremely rewarding process. The structure of the programme enabled me to challenge my assumptions whilst exploring new research.”

“Achieving ATS has accelerated my professional development and enabled me to achieve so many personal goals along the way.”

“I am pleased that I undertook ATS and would encourage others to consider the programme.”

As well as Elaine Battams (Barnfield College) Congratulations go to: Stavroula Bibila (Coventry University College), Rebecca Blackburn (Rotherham College), Nigel Cannar (Richard Rose Central Academy), Joyce Chen (College of West Anglia), Ruth Cole (Kiwi Education), Alison Drew (St Giles Trust), Louise Ford (PM Training), Anne Groll (University of Wolverhampton), Andrew Harriss (Pearson), Christine Helme (Cambridge Regional College), Gail Lydon, Vicky Lyons (The Angmering School), Anita McGowan (Croydon College), Valeria Panyko (Croydon College), Dave Shurmer (Skills Group UK), David Smith (Lancashire Constabulary), Michael Smith (Barking and Dagenham College), Robert Steele (Walsall College), Lynne Taylerson (Real Time Education), Jacklyn Williams (Paramount Progressive Solutions Limited), Lisa Williamson, and Sallyann Wright (Dudley College).

Gaining ATS is a significant achievement. To apply to be able to undertake it, candidates must already hold either Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and have held their initial teacher education qualification for a minimum of four years.

Achieving ATS requires individuals to demonstrate they are practising at the level of an advanced professional in relation to the 20 Professional Standards, which span professional values, knowledge and understanding and skills. The status is conferred by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF).

Tricia Odell, Head of ATS and QTLS, said:

“Achieving ATS is a significant achievement that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to both their own professionalism and to the promotion of excellent practice across Further Education. It also underlines a practitioner’s dedication to ensuring the best possible outcomes for learners. Being one of the first practitioners to gain ATS is a distinction of which holders can be very proud. Our congratulations go to all those celebrating their newly-achieved status.”

Thanks to the confirmation of an agreement of mutual recognition between the ETF and the Chartered College of Teaching, those who have become the first to earn ATS will also be amongst the first to hold the Chartered Teacher designation when it is first conferred in 2019.

Those interested in achieving ATS have until 14 January 2019 to apply to be part of the next cohort, which will begin in March.