§ Mr. FitzpatrickTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the percentage of teachers who achieve advanced skilled teacher status. [16909]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe Government intends to introduce a new career grade of Advanced Skills Teacher to reward the best teachers who are prepared to take on additional roles contributing to the quality of teaching in their schools. In the first instance, it is proposed that the new grade could be introduced on a pilot basis in September 1998. Further decisions will be taken following the pilots.