Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills) - RQF

• Access Duration: 12 Months 
• Awarded by: Focus Awards  
• Type: Diploma 
• Credit Value: 120 
• Guided Learning Hours(GLH): 400 
• Total Qualification Time(TQT): 1200 
• Qualification Level: 5  
• Ofqual-Regulated 
• Qualification Number: 610/5281/4  
• Available: England 

• Explore the roles and responsibilities of a teacher in the further education and skills sector. 
• Plan and deliver inclusive teaching sessions that meet the needs of all learners. 
• Assess learners’ progress using a range of methods and provide constructive feedback. 
• Develop effective classroom management strategies to create a positive learning environment. 
• Reflect on and improve your own teaching practice through evaluation and feedback. 
• Understand policies, legislation, and professional standards that impact teaching in further education. 

• Further Education Teachers 
• Learning and Development Specialists 
• Curriculum Developers 
• Education Consultants 
• Training Managers 
• Special Educational Needs (SEN) Teachers 

The Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training opens the door to exciting teaching opportunities within the post-16 education sector. With this qualification, you can pursue a career as a qualified teacher, trainer, or tutor in further education colleges, adult education centres, independent training providers, or community learning environments. Employers across the further education and skills sector recognise this qualification as a benchmark for teaching. It also positions you to progress to mentorship roles, curriculum development, or leadership and management.  

Here are some career prospects, along with the average UK salary per annum (approximately) according to Glassdoor. 

• Education Consultant – £50,000 
• Training Manager – £45,000 
• Tutor – £42,000 
• Teacher – £41,000 
• E-learning Specialist – £38,000 
• Trainer – £36,000 
• Curriculum Developer – £30,000 

• Learners should be 18 years and above. 
• Be qualified and /or experienced in your subject specialism. 
• Demonstrate an ability to study at Level 5. 
• Adequate reading and communication skills. 
• Achieve a Level 2 in English and Maths prior to starting the qualification. 
• Have a suitable level of digital competency to meet the qualification requirements. 
• A teaching placement is required and should be a minimum of 250 hours, with at least 150 hours dedicated to teaching practice.  A minimum of 80 hours of this should be face-to-face teaching, and a minimum of 20 hours should be remote delivery. 

• Team meetings 
• Planning 
• Interviews 
• Assessment meetings 
• Observations 
• CPD activities 

• You can complete this course in just a few months or take up to a year; it’s flexible to suit your schedule. Most learners finish within 9-12 months, but if you have more time to study or relevant experience, you may complete it sooner. We offer full support for up to 12 months, so you can work at a pace that’s right for you. 
• The Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training requires 400 GLH. This is an estimate and will vary depending on how much time you’re able to commit and how quickly you understand the course content. 

• Portfolio of Evidence: You will compile a portfolio that showcases your practical skills and includes observed practice. This portfolio will serve as evidence of your competencies and learning outcomes. 
• Direct Observations: A minimum of ten observations, each lasting a minimum of 45 minutes, will be conducted. These observations are essential for assessing your teaching performance in a real teaching environment.  
• Practical Teaching Experience: You must accumulate at least 150 hours of documented teaching experience. This should be recorded in a teaching log that details your activities and teaching hours. 
• Placement Location: You must experience placement in at least two different locations to gain exposure to diverse teaching environments. A minimum of 20 non-teaching hours can be dedicated to the second location. These 20 hours allow flexibility and are not specified as teaching hours.  
• Remote Delivery: You should complete a minimum of 20 hours of remote delivery. You can arrange it with a colleague who will act as a witness.  
• Assignments: For each of the units in the course, you will complete various assignments. Some of these assignments may require additional evidence, such as lesson plans and teaching materials to demonstrate your understanding. 
• Personal Statements and Professional Development Log: You will also submit personal statements that reflect on your learning journey and a log that documents your continued professional development activities. 
• Grading: This qualification is awarded on a pass/fail basis and does not include any grading system. 
• Assessor Support: You will have support from assessors available via telephone, WhatsApp, online discussion forums, email, and web chats, ensuring that you have access to help whenever you need it. 

For further details or any specific questions about the assessment process, please click the ‘Enquiry’ button below to get in touch with us. 

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway: 

• Step 01: Bachelor’s Degree in Education 
• Step 02: Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) 
• Step 03: Master’s Degree in Education or Related Fields 

Additional qualifications you can progress to: 

• Chartered Teacher Status (CTeach) 
• Level 6 Diploma in Teaching and Learning 
• Higher National Diploma in Training and Development 

Ofqual-regulated qualifications are overseen by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England. Ofqual is England’s main government-appointed regulatory body regulating school, college, and vocational qualifications, and ensures their qualifications meet high standards of quality and rigour, providing assurance they are recognised and respected by employers, educational institutions, and professional bodies. This oversight guarantees the qualifications maintain consistency, transparency, and credibility, meaning potential employers and organisations will have confidence in the individual’s skills and abilities, making them competitive candidates. 

RQF

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is a system used in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales to categorise and regulate qualifications based on their level of difficulty and size. RQF is jointly regulated by England’s regulator Ofqual, Wales DCELLS, and Northern Ireland’s CCEA, and ensures qualifications are standardised, making it easier for learners, employers, and educational institutions to understand the value and level of each qualification. For a qualification to be recognised as part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), it must be created or approved by an awarding body that is acknowledged by one of the government-appointed regulatory bodies.