§ Mr. Maudeasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she proposes to establish her inquiry into the training of teachers and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ThatcherI have appointed a small expert committee under the chairmanship of Lord James of Rusholme to make an intensive study of the problem. To assist him I have been fortunate in securing the full-time services of the following:
- Miss Elizabeth Aggett, Headmistress, Eveline Lowe Primary School, London.
- Dr. Harry Judge, Headmaster, Banbury School, Oxon.
- Mr. Patrick Milroy, Chief Education Officer, Gloucestershire County Council.
- Mr. James Porter, Principal, Berkshire College of Education.
- Professor Roger Webster, Professor of Education, University of Wales.
Mr. Cyril English, the Director-General of the City and Guilds of London Institute will serve part-time and I hope to appoint one further part-time member.
I am extremely grateful to the Universities of York and Wales, to the local education authorities concerned, and to the Institute for making their services available.
I have given the Committee the following terms of reference:
In the light of the review currently being undertaken by the Area Training Organisations and on the evidence published by the 109W former Select Committee on Education and Science, to inquire into the present arrangements for the education, training and probation of teachers in England and Wales, and in particular to examine:The Committee will start work at the beginning of the New Year and is aiming to complete its study within 12 months.and to make recommendations.
- (i) what should be the content and organisation of courses to be provided;
- (ii) whether a larger proportion of intending teachers should be educated with students who have not chosen their careers or chosen other careers;
- (iii) what, in the context of (i) and (ii) above, should be the rôle of the maintained and voluntary colleges of education, the polytechnics and other further education institutions maintained by local education authorities, and the universities;