28 June 2011

New Plans To Attract The Best Graduates Into Teaching

Top graduates will be attracted into the teaching profession to help drive up standards in schools, under new plans published.

Despite having many excellent teachers, trained in some of the best institutions in the world, other nations, such as South Korea and Finland, are racing ahead in school improvement.

The Government is committed to raising the status of the profession, in the bid to make it a highly attractive career for top graduates.

There has also been a longstanding problem recruiting the high quality maths and science teachers needed in Britain.

Michael Gove, Secretary of State, said: “If we want to have an education system that ranks with the best in the world, then we need to attract the best people to train to teach, and we need to give them outstanding training.

“We have some excellent teachers in this country, but many who could make a huge difference in the lives of children choose other professions. Our teachers are trained in some of the best institutions in the world, but the schools which employ these teachers do not get enough of a say in how they are trained. Nor does the training focus sharply on the techniques teachers most need, such as behaviour management and the effective teaching of reading.

“We value our teachers highly, but the current system of funding does not incentivise the best. The system needs to change.”

New plans would include: Incentives of up to £20,000; The best schools working with universities to lead on teacher training; and a new £2m scholarship scheme to help existing teachers develop their skills.

(BMcN/KMcA)