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17 Oct 2007 02:00 PM
Graham Holley responds to Ofsted's findings on teacher training

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR SCHOOLS News Release issued by The Government News Network on 17 October 2007

The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) Chief Executive, Graham Holley, today responded to the key findings on initial teacher training (ITT) in the Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools 2006/07 published by Ofsted. He said:

"The TDA welcomes Ofsted's key findings on initial teacher training (ITT). I am pleased to see that the quality of teacher training in half our institutions is outstanding. This is encouraging evidence of the quality of the new generation of teachers entering the profession.

"Ofsted notes that the quality of primary and secondary ITT programmes is well led and managed. We will continue to monitor the quality of ITT and will provide appropriate support to teacher training providers to make certain that schools have well-qualified new teachers to ensure pupils' attainment and well-being."

Headteacher of the Jo Richardson Community school, Barking and Dagenham, and TDA Board member, Andy Buck said:

"Our experience on the front line is that the quality of new teachers joining the profession has been improving year on year."

Notes to editors
This news release applies to England only.

For more information about how to become a teacher, see 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

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: 0870 4960 123