HL Deb 23 June 1998 vol 591 cc127-8

28 Clause 16, page 9, line 28, after ("at") insert ("relevant").

Lord Whitty

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 28. In doing so, I should like to speak also to Amendments Nos. 30 and 43 to 45.

The amendments in this group will enable the Secretary of State to set out in regulations those schools which will be able to provide an induction period. New teachers at maintained and non-maintained special schools will have successfully to complete a period of induction if they wish to remain eligible for employment at these schools.

The amendments make clear that independent schools may also provide an induction period in prescribed circumstances. However, they do not make the successful completion of an induction period a condition governing employment in an independent school. Independent schools were not able to offer the former probation arrangements. Their inclusion in the induction programme reflects the new spirit of partnership that we have established with the independent sector.

However, we will only be prepared to permit independent schools to participate in the new arrangements where we are certain that the new teacher can be guaranteed the same professional experience and the same level of support and guidance. The monitoring and assessment arrangements must also meet the same standards. We also intend to stipulate in regulations that only those independent schools which can offer appropriate experience of the national curriculum will be able to provide an induction period.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 28.—(Lord Whitty.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.