Teacher Training Efficiency In Question

Teacher training schemes across the UK are in focus as action is called for to raise poor recruitment levels, a 'Policy Exchange' report published today said.

The centre-right 'thinktank' said there are "not enough" good teachers in Britain and blames low salaries and a lack of glamour for the problem.

It recommends a restructuring of the training regime to make it more flexible, which the report says is vital to increasing the number of high-quality entrants to the profession.

"In this country we have many excellent teachers but because other careers have higher status not enough of our best graduates join the profession and it is hard to attract older people from other jobs," the report noted.

"Moreover we remain poor at developing teachers and rewarding those who are successful."

This can be achieved by fast-tracking high-flyers into well-paid leadership positions. Those who are interested in teaching for only a few years should be attracted more by setting up a "virtuous cycle of professional development" already seen through the Teach First scheme.

The report has been met with a degree of scepticism by the Government, which says some of the issues are "over-stated".

Graham Holley, Chief Executive of the Training and Development Agency for schools, said the recommendations did not take account of recent developments.

"Data that we published only last week confirms that teaching continues to attract high-quality candidates," he commented.

"Teaching is already a graduate profession, and will increasingly become a Masters level profession.

The Masters in Teaching and Learning (MTL) will transform the teaching profession in England," he claimed.

(BMcC)