Bypassing QTS with a Level 7 Advanced Certificate of Professional Development

What is QTS, and why would it matter in a culinary career?

QTS stands for Qualified Teacher Status, which is an accreditation that is a legally required certificate to teach in the UK’s maintained schools. Exemptions to the QTS certificate can be made in schools that are free or academies, as well as those outside of the English state sector, i.e. independent and private schools.

In specific culinary careers oriented around teaching children, a QTS may be an essential accreditation needed to work with children under 18. Whilst some schools offer exemptions around holding that particular qualification, it’s often utilised as a standard of quality for employers.

The benefits of getting a Level 7 Advanced Certificate of Professional Development in Food Education

Masters-level qualification

The Level 7 qualification offers many benefits, with the most obvious being that it’s the equivalent of a year’s on a master’s degree, in total worth 30 credits, which can all be done without having to complete a full postgraduate degree.

This particular qualification is an ideal choice for those wanting to ‘fast track’ into food education, especially for those with a degree or as an already qualified teacher hoping to specialise in food education.

A comprehensive curriculum

The face-to-face days on the course cover essential topics for culinary educators, which include:

1. Designing engaging food demonstrations and curriculums.
2. How to manage food education classrooms and schemes of work.
3. Planning practical lessons with food safety and science in mind.
4. Learning how to evaluate practical and theoretical progress, adapt lesson plans and teaching methods to the student’s abilities.
5. Interview preparation to give confidence to those taking the Level 7 to confidently interview for roles within the industry.

A flexible learning structure to accommodate working students

Another great aspect of this course is the blended delivery of learning. Students have 30 recipes to follow at home in an online cook-along. The recipe videos and independent cooking at home allow working students to get this additional qualification without needing to take a significant amount of time out of work.

Students attend ten immersive in-person training days, covering both theory and practical skills to reinforce skills and confidence. The combined style of at-home learning and classroom-style teaching builds the culinary and pedagogic skills needed for careers in culinary education.

Students have the choice between monthly fixed sessions, which are typically held on Thursdays and Fridays from February to June. Or are able to take the in-person classes in a two-week intensive block, attending five days per week.

Boosted confidence and job readiness

This course equips students with the confidence and ability to design and deliver safe and engaging, scientific cookery lessons, whether that’s for vocational qualifications or teaching GCSE.

We empower them to do this by building confidence through practical cookery, teaching methods, lesson planning and partaking in mock interview tasks.

An avenue to get your QTS

This certificate enables any graduates with two years of full-time teaching experience to apply for the QTS without having to enrol in a PGCE program. This gives some flexibility to the route you can take to achieve a career in food education.

What culinary careers will the Level 7 Advanced Certificate of Professional Development in Food Education help students achieve?

This qualification enables students to flourish in a range of culinary careers centred around education. The most common outcome for graduates is to be able to teach in primary and secondary schools, at Key Stages 3 & 4.

The sort of roles for those transitioning from a more traditional culinary career, from something like cheffing, is to a culinary education specialist. Supporting roles in community food projects, cookery schools, cooking clubs and even online or in-person cookery tuition.

Individuals who already have qualifications in culinary education can benefit from a master’s by specialising further. This can provide students with the leadership skills needed to be a subject leader in schools. This even extends to roles like ‘educational consultant’ or ‘curriculum developer’. In this kind of role, you’d help to shape how culinary skills are taught to children and how their cookery skills are then measured.

Who does this course suit best?

This course is a great option for a range of candidates, including:

Graduates with any degree – this course offers a reliable route into a teaching role in food education, with the opportunity to get your QTS, if you have two years of experience in schools.

Cooking instructors/ teaching assistants – finesse and formalise your skills with a master’s-level qualification. Ideal for those wanting to further their techniques in culinary education.

Experienced culinary professionals – this can be an excellent way to transition your existing skills into those suited for educational roles.

Teachers qualified in different subjects – if you’re looking to change specialisms, the Level 7 course may be the perfect fit as it allows you to specialise without needing a QTS.

The Level 7 Advanced Certificate of Professional Development in Food Education is a compelling choice for anybody serious about stepping into a role in culinary education. It provides a powerful combination of hands-on techniques to be able to manage a classroom, educate on food science, and develop your career.