§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if work has begun on the research project into the reasons why teachers are leaving the profession.[8997]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Department is in the process of commissioning this research project. Work is planned to commence in early December 2001.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what work has been done to investigate if teacher shortages are being tackled by teachers taking classes in subjects for which they are not qualified.[8998]
§ Mr. TimmsMany teachers are qualified in more than one subject. What subjects they should be asked to teach is a matter for the professional judgment of the headteachers concerned. The latest figures available show that in 1996–97, 82 per cent, of secondary school teachers held an appropriate subject qualification.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many teachers who received their golden hello completed their contract.[9380]
§ Mr. TimmsThis information is not collected centrally. In order to apply for a golden hello, an eligible teacher must have completed induction successfully and be employed in a relevant post in a maintained school or a maintained or non-maintained special school in England on a permanent contract or a fixed-term contract of one term or more.