HC Deb 12 December 1989 vol 163 cc551-2W
Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many trained teachers who have left the teaching profession the Government estimate can be persuaded to return to the profession.

Mr. Alan Howarth

The recruitment of qualified teachers returning to the profession has increased steadily in recent years. If the local authority employers support and encourage them, we believe that more will return. Almost 90 per cent. of re-entrants are women and over three quarters of these are aged 30 to 44. In 1986 there were an estimated 191,000 qualified teachers in this group not in full-time service in the maintained sector in England and Wales. We are considering how we might undertake a sample survey of qualified teachers not in service to establish what proportion might return to teaching and what conditions in the teaching profession would encourage more to return.

Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if a collegiate approach is to be adopted for the teacher staffing structure in schools.

Mr. Alan Howarth

Decisions about staffing structure in maintained schools are matters for LEAs and school governors, and not for my right hon. Friend.

Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will direct the interim advisory committee on school teachers' pay and conditions to investigate the organisation and management of schools to include a full assessment of the role of the classroom teacher, the role of heads and deputies and the existence of other specific management reponsibilities.

Mrs. Rumbold

The interim advisory committee has been asked to advise on what changes should be made to teachers' pay and conditions in the year beginning 1 April 1990. In so doing it will be considering the evidence that it has received on a wide range of issues.

Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements have been made to promote part-time teaching, job-sharing and managed career break arrangements for women returners to the teaching profession.

Mr. Alan Howarth

The Government agree that every effort must be made to encourage former teachers to return to the profession. "Guidelines for Recruitment", published by the teaching as a career (TASC) unit in May 1988, drew to the attention of LEAs the need for such arrangements to attract qualified women returners to the teaching profession. Education support grant for 1990–92 will support the efforts of a number of LEAs in developing such provision.

Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his estimate of the number of extra teachers needed to supplement existing numbers excluding current vacancies to meet the additional teaching requirements generated by the new national curriculum in(a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Alan Howarth

The implementation of the national curriculum in England and Wales does not imply increased demand for teachers, although it will change the balance of subject specialism. We are supporting in-service training to provide teachers with the additional support they need to ensure delivery of the national curriculum. The Department's memorandum on teacher supply to the Education, Science and Arts Select Committee—a copy of which is in the Library—analyses teacher demand and supply assuming full implementation of the national curriculum.

Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what means the Government will employ to persuade trained teachers to re-enter the teaching profession.

Mr. Alan Howarth

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Members for Barnsley, Central (Mr. Illsley) and Bridgend (Mr. Griffiths) on 14 November(Official Report, column 228).

Dr. Kim Howells

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures are to be taken to attract sufficient numbers of qualified teachers to fill existing vacancies in British schools.

Mr. Alan Howarth

The recruitment of teachers to specific vacancies is a matter for local education officers, not for my right hon. Friend. The teaching as a career unit (TASC) advises LEAs in England and Wales on recruitment measures. TASC is also involved in publicity to attract qualified teachers back to teaching. The education support grant programme in 1990–91 will support LEA expenditure on local recruitment measures to attract back former teachers and recruit mature entrants with relevant qualifications. Measures eligible for ESG support include "keeping in touch with teaching" schemes and refresher courses, as well as job-share, part-time working and childcare provision.

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure that there are sufficient teachers to teach the national curriculum.

Mr. Alan Howarth

My right hon. Friend is taking the requirements of the national curriculum fully into account in setting the intakes to initial teacher training, in revising the criteria for initial teacher training courses, in planning the LEA in-service training grants scheme and education support grants and in managing the range of measures being taken on teacher supply.