Teacher trainees must “continue to engage” with their course “to its end” during the coronavirus crisis in order to qualify, the government has said.

The Department for Education (DfE) said last month that trainees on track to meet the teachers’ standards by the end of their course should be recommended for qualified teacher status (QTS), even if they are unable to finish their placements.

However new guidance published today states that trainees in this position “must continue to participate in their course to its end in order to be recommended for QTS”.

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The DfE says that schools and universities “should continue to deliver” their initial teacher training (ITT) courses “as a general principle”.

It adds that providers should make an initial judgement on trajectory towards meeting the teachers’ standards based on assessments already completed.

They should then refine this judgement based on trainees’ progress through the remainder of their course, and confirm at the end of the course whether they will be recommended for QTS.

The DfE is yet to provide any guidance about how to manage trainees who were at risk of failing their placements at the time closures were imposed.

The document adds: “Further guidance will be provided as soon as possible for those trainees not already meeting the teachers’ standards or who are not on a trajectory to meet the teachers’ standards at the end of their course.

“The assessment and recommendation for the award of QTS will remain solely at the provider’s discretion and providers are able to undertake such assessments based on their professional judgement and expertise.

“These allowances do not, under any circumstances, give trainees a ‘free pass’ and ITT providers should not make any recommendation for QTS without giving full consideration to a trainee’s progress and available evidence.”