Creating An AST Post
Situations which could lead to the creation of an AST post
Any school can create one or more AST posts, although a teacher can only be appointed to an AST post if they have been successfully assessed by VT Education. There are various situations in which a school might decide to create an AST post:
- As a career developmental opportunity for its teachers
- To fulfil an outreach or networking responsibility which the school holds as as part of a specialist status
- The LA identifies a need for an AST in a particular subject or location which fits with the school/teacher
- A network, partnership, family or other collaborative group of schools decide to create one or more AST posts to work with them
- A local organisation or agency with an interest in using AST outreach approaches the school with a proposal e.g. Creative Partnerships, Connexions.
Any school wishing to create an AST post or teachers interested in applying to become an AST are advised to check first with the AST Management Team to find out what practical support can be offered to the teacher considering assessment and if any AST funding is available.
Decisions to take prior to appointment of an AST
In creating a post – or deciding to fill an existing post when the current AST moves on – the school will need to consider:
- whether recruitment will be internal or external
- how the post will be funded
- what the AST’s role will be within their own school
- how their outreach work will be achieved
- what their AST pay range will be
- who will be their line manager
- what the contractual arrangements will be.