Training and Development Agency
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Ofsted report every language matters

Ofsted report every language matters

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR SCHOOLS News Release issued by The Government News Network on 21 February 2008

Welcoming the Ofsted Report Every language matters, a spokesperson for the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) said:

"All community languages teachers who are graduates are eligible to apply for training to achieve QTS. Teacher training providers are already given considerable flexibility in course design, for all subjects, not just PGCE languages. The TDA works directly with providers offering community languages and will provide additional guidance for any who have not exploited this possibility.

"Teacher training providers are free to offer a wider range of languages than the current core offer of French, German and Spanish. Other languages enjoy equal status. The barrier to a wider offer is the extent to which other languages are taught to whole classes in schools and the availability of suitable training placements for trainees in other languages.

"The TDA is not responsible for marketing PGCE courses and teacher training providers advertise their PGCE courses. The TDA will facilitate communications between the providers of community languages and help to disseminate best practice in spreading information about the courses on offer."

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Teaching enquiries

For more information about how to become a teacher, see http://www.teach.gov.ukPersonal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 (992 for Welsh speakers). Minicom 0117 915 8161.

From 1 September 2008 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. Eligible trainees on secondary 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, 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.

From 1 August 2008, the bursary for trainees starting ITT courses in secondary postgraduate English, dance and drama will be reduced from £9,000 to £6,000 and trainees will not be eligible for a golden hello. The bursary for trainees starting primary postgraduate ITT courses will be reduced from £6,000 to £4,000.

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

Data collected by the TDA shows that close to 40,000 people began teacher training in the academic year 2006/07.

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
Tel: 0870 4960 123

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

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