Mathematics and Science (Hansard, 14 March 1989)

§ Ms. Armstrong
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to ensure that sufficient time will be available after the date of the first national curriculum orders being made for mathematics and science and before the start of the autumn term this year in order to permit(a) the preparation of in-service training courses for the teachers concerned and (b) the subsequent preparation by teachers of suitable schemes of work for their classes; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Butcher
My right hon. Friend is today laying the final National Curriculum Orders for mathematics and science. The general nature of the requirements has been known for some time, and a number of LEAs have already prepared in-service training courses. To support such courses, the National Curriculum Council has commissioned subject-specific in-service training materials which will be sent to all schools during the summer term. It is for local education authorities and schools to ensure that the non-teaching time available before the autumn, which may include two extra closure days, is used to best effect in helping teachers to prepare for the introduction of the new requirements.

§ Ms. Armstrong
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assumptions have been made164W by his Department in relation to the availability of non-contact time for primary school teachers in order to prepare suitable schemes of work for the national curriculum in mathematics and science; if he will estimate the typical number of non-contact hours available to a primary school teacher for such work before the start of the autumn term this year; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Butcher
Results of the 1987 primary school staffing survey show that teachers in maintained primary schools in England have on average two hours of non-contact time within the average pupil's week of 22½ hours of taught lessons. There is further non-teaching time available within teachers' annual 1,265 hours of directed time for tasks such as preparing or revising schemes of work. In addition to the five annual days available for in-service training, schools may close for two days in 1989 specifically to prepare for the introduction of the national curriculum. There should be plenty of scope over the coming six months for primary teachers to prepare, or revise as necessary, schemes of work to incorporate the national curriculum requirements in mathematics and science.

§ Ms. Armstrong
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what number and proportion of primary school teachers expected to be concerned in the implementation of the national curriculum orders for mathematics and science this year have no formal training or qualification above O-level in either mathematics or science; what assessment he has made of particular training needs for such teachers in the preparation of suitable schemes of work for their classes; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Butcher
In March 1987 there were an estimated 115,400 full-time and 26,100 part-time teachers in maintained nursery and primary schools in England who had no qualification above O-level in mathematics or science and had not attended an in-service course of at least one term's full-time duration or equivalent in the previous five years. These represent 72 per cent. and 78 per cent. respectively of the total number of full-time and part-time teachers in primary schools. However, initial training for primary teachers is designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach across the full range of primary subjects. It is for LEAs to assess the training needs of their teachers, including the particular needs of those teaching five-year-olds in September 1989 who will have to implement the national curriculum programmes of study and attainment targets in mathematics and science from that date, and to meet these needs using funds available through the LEA training grants scheme. My right hon. Friend has allowed for two extra closure days for in-service training in 1989, and the National Curriculum Council is preparing subject-specific training materials for use in schools.