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Ofsted report Reforming and developing the school workforce

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR SCHOOLS News Release issued by The Government News Network on 9 October 2007

Commenting on the publication of the Ofsted report Reforming and developing the school workforce, Graham Holley, Chief Executive of the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) said:

"Ofsted has found that teachers' time is more sharply focussed on teaching and learning helped by the increased roles of support staff. This is strong evidence that schools are working smarter in order to drive up standards of achievement and reach the Every Child Matters outcomes for every child.

"I applaud the hard work of schools and local authorities in embracing different ways of working. The TDA must now continue to support schools to make the most of the mix of talents and skills their whole workforce has to offer."

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Notes to editors

This news release applies to England only.

The TDA works with schools to help them develop and train their whole school workforce.

There are more than 60 different support staff roles in schools, and more than 305,000 (full-time equivalent) support staff in schools. Some roles are long established - teaching assistant (TA), technician, caretaker, secretary. Others are newer and reflect the changes underway in schools - cover supervisor, higher level teaching assistant (HLTA), wrap-around care manager.

School leaders need information about training and development opportunities for all the members of the school workforce. They also need effective continuing professional development (CPD) for their teachers that is linked to school improvement.

Until now, there has been no single body to take the lead. Many organisations have done much good work, but the TDA's new role reflects the fact that headteachers want a coherent strategy for training and developing all their staff, and a more effective framework for career progression for each of the occupations within their workforce.

Please see http://www.tda.gov.uk/support.aspx <http://www.tda.gov.uk/support.aspx> for more information about the school workforce.

For information about how to become a teacher, see http://www.teach.gov.uk http://www.teach.gov.uk/

Personal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 - 992 for Welsh speakers (minicom 0117 915 8161).

From 1 September 2007 a newly qualified teacher (NQT) will start on a salary of at least £20,133 (£24,168 in inner London). The pay scale for good, experienced classroom teachers who have 'crossed the threshold' rises to £34,281 outside London and £41,004 in inner London. Additional allowances may be paid to teachers considered to be excellent, and to those who take on management and other responsibilities. The pay scale for head teachers can rise to more than £90,000 depending on size of school. Further details are available at http://www.teach.gov.uk/payandbenefits <http://www.teach.gov.uk/payandbenefits>

Eligible trainees on postgraduate initial teacher training (ITT) courses in England are entitled to a tax-free training bursary worth £6-9,000. Newly qualified teachers with a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) in maths and science may also be eligible for a 'golden hello' payment worth £5,000 (taxed) after successfully completing their induction period. Those with a PGCE in modern languages, English or drama, design and technology, information and communications technology, music and religious education may receive £2,500. Details are available on the TDA website at http://www.teach.gov.uk/funding http://www.teach.gov.uk/funding

The graduate teacher programme (GTP) enables people to train to become a teacher while employed in a school. Details of employment based routes can be viewed at http://www.teach.gov.uk/routes <http://www.teach.gov.uk/routes>

The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) was established under the Education Act 2005. Its principal aim is to secure an effective school workforce that improves children's life chances.

General TDA enquiries: 0870 4960 123

For further information on the Training and Development Agency for Schools please see our website at http://www.tda.gov.uk