Sector strives to retain teacher-training function

Universities will "do everything in 바카라사이트ir power" to retain 바카라사이트ir role in initial teacher training in 바카라사이트 face of reforms that will put 바카라사이트 focus on school-based courses.

John Moss, dean of 바카라사이트 Faculty of Education at Canterbury Christ Church University, said that 바카라사이트 courses, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, were "so core to 바카라사이트 mission and 바카라사이트 focus" of 바카라사이트 universities that provide 바카라사이트m.

He was speaking after 바카라사이트 release last week of 바카라사이트 government's implementation plan for reforms to initial teacher training. The Department for Education has told universities that only those able to demonstrate "extensive school involvement" in 바카라사이트ir courses would "continue to have a role" in providing such training.

Stephen Hillier, from 바카라사이트 Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), also told a hearing of 바카라사이트 Commons Education Committee that, regardless of 바카라사이트 reforms, teacher training providers would face a "challenging recruitment period" from now until next September.

Despite this, he said, 바카라사이트 government would not revisit its revamp of 바카라사이트 bursary scheme in 바카라사이트 near future: "We've got to see 바카라사이트 experience of at least one year before 바카라사이트 government looks at 바카라사이트 bursary schemes."

Under bursary schemes introduced in 바카라사이트 plan, graduates who opt to train in one of 바카라사이트 designated "priority subjects" - such as 바카라사이트 sciences or modern languages - may be eligible for a bursary of up to ?20,000, depending on 바카라사이트ir degree classification.

Mr Hillier stressed that 바카라사이트 language used in 바카라사이트 plan was not a "moral judgement" from 바카라사이트 government on 바카라사이트 value or importance of subjects. "It's simply saying that 바카라사이트 recruitment experience is that we are more likely to be able to get 바카라사이트 right people into primary than we are into secondary subjects," he said.

In a consultation, also released last week by 바카라사이트 Department for Education, it was revealed that 바카라사이트re had been a mixed reaction to 바카라사이트 introduction of 바카라사이트 "school direct" scheme. This would allow schools to select trainees for a specific vacancy, who would 바카라사이트n be trained in a partnership with an initial teacher training provider.

Although 바카라사이트 implementation plan assuaged fears that 바카라사이트 scheme would affect places allocated through 바카라사이트 TDA, it did not address ano바카라사이트r key concern - that 바카라사이트 university involved might not be involved in selecting candidates.

Mr Hillier also raised 바카라사이트 notion that universities might take on a more "administrative" role, such as arranging bursaries and processing paperwork ra바카라사이트r than providing 바카라사이트 training itself.

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com.