§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what guidance he will issue for the measurement of pupil progress where teachers do not teach key stage test classes or external examination classes. [110996]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 21 February 2000]: The performance threshold materials we will be publishing in March will contain guidance notes to help teachers complete their applications to demonstrate that they meet the threshold standards. Draft guidance notes were published for consultation on 9 February. Under the "Pupil progress" standard the draft states that where external test data is not available teachers should use data internal to the school to show progress. This could include examination marks, general coursework marks or grades achieved. Where possible teachers should use these to quantify progress in terms of the levels used within the national curriculum.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to recognise the team element of raising standards in schools under the proposed performance-related pay scheme. [111000]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 21 February 2000]: Part of the 'professional characteristics' aspect of the proposed performance threshold standards will be an evaluation of the way teachers build a team commitment with their colleagues. Teachers and their team leaders may also want to identify objectives relating to team building as part of the process of annual performance review.
We are also introducing an annual performance awards scheme for schools which will provide recognition of high performing teamwork within institutions. An overall budget of £60 million per year will be available to reward between a quarter and a third of excellent and improving schools through allocation to these schools to fund one-off non-consolidated pay bonuses for their staff. The first payments will be made in 2001 on the basis of results from summer 2000.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment under what circumstances teachers on Point 9 of the teachers' salary scale who win PLATO awards(a) cross the performance pay threshold and (b) become advanced skills teachers. [111044]
§ Ms Estelle Morris[holding answer 21 February 2000]: PLATO awards or teaching awards are organised by the Teaching Awards Trust, sponsored by a Lloyds/TSB venture supported by the Department for Education and Employment. Award winners wishing to apply to cross the performance threshold or wishing to apply to become Advanced Skills Teachers will be required to follow the appropriate application procedures and be assessed in the same manner as other teachers.