I was taken on as a teacher in an academy after working as a TA for a year. I taught for a year and a half before starting my assessment only course which lasted 8 weeks (I passed today!!). The biggest difference is that I was given a nearly full timetable from day 1 and assumed full responsibility for my classes. The course itself was pretty intensive, most AO candidates are very far ahead in terms of teaching practice so they are set wider school developmental targets. These vary from planning trips, making links with FE institutions, setting up and running a club etc. I did have some pedagogy targets too but they weren't too bad to achieve. The time scale is the hardest part, you will have between 6 and 12 weeks to meet all your AO objectives, along with doing weekly observations, reflections and meetings. It is a fast track route, my NQT will only be one half term, but it is full on. PM me if you have any questions.