MPs: Radical changes needed to teacher training

MPs say 'bar must be raised' for teacher training and 'radical changes' are vital

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Tuesday, 09, Feb 2010 12:01

By Sarah Garrod.

MPs have today called for "radical changes to teacher training" to improve achievements of school children in the UK.

They said entry requirements for teachers were often too low, and "the bar must be raised".

The Commons schools and families committee said major reforms needed to be introduced to help newly qualified teachers make the transition from training to their first teaching job.

In a report published today, the committee said "embedding a culture of continuous professional development" would ensure the highest levels of teaching quality in the UK.

Chairman of the committee, Barry Sheerman, said: "Recruiting and retaining the best teachers can transform pupil attainment and bring new vision and energy into schools. It is not enough to make-do-and-mend existing policies: radical changes must take place.

"Teaching must be seen as an attractive career option for high achieving individuals. Entry requirements should be raised, and there must be better support for teachers once they are in post."

In its report the committee found that much greater space and incentives for early career teachers to supplement initial training with a relevant masters qualification were vital, and that mentoring support for these teachers must be improved and extended.

The MPs recommend a 'Chartered Teacher' framework, which would encompass a licence to practise and link pay and progression to the completion of a masters qualification and, thereafter, to completion of further accredited training.

"A failure to tackle the pressures faced by new teachers risks not only a dearth of teachers from the profession but also lasting damage to the educational experience of pupils. This must not be allowed to happen," added Mr Sheerman.