HC Deb 18 July 1995 vol 263 c1194W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many places in teacher training for primary and early years' teachers were available in(a) 1990, (b) 1992, (c) 1994 and (d) 1995; and what plans she has for an expansion in places for primary and early years' teachers, following her oral statement of 6 July, Official Report, columns 517–19. [35511]

Mr. Robin Squire

The number of places for primary teachers in England for the years requested is as follows:

1990 1992 1994 1995
Intake target 11,313 12,078 12,950 12,115
Actual intake 13,155 16,658 13,713

The targets did not distinguish between courses specialising in early years—three to seven—and other primary ITT courses.

We are currently considering whether the targets for intakes into initial teacher training courses given to the Teacher Training Agency for 1996–97 onwards need to be revised to take account of new information and policy developments. The agency will take the Government's plans for the education of under-fives into account when allocating student numbers from 1996–97 onwards.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provision is made in the training of primary and early-years teachers for the study of early child development. [35434]

Mr. Squire

The competences expected of newly-qualified primary teachers are set out in DFE circular 14/93. It is for course providers to determine course content, in order to ensure that newly qualified teachers have the ability to teach effectively and to secure effective learning.