HC Deb 22 May 1986 vol 98 cc271-2W
Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what relative importance, was attached, in determining allocations for initial teacher training courses from 1987, to (a) Her Majesty's inspectors' reports, (b) Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education reports, (c) rates of employment of graduates,(d) links with other institutions, (e) geographical location and (f) Council for National Academic Awards reports and validation.

Mr. Chris Patten

My right hon. Friend considered advice from Her Majesty's inspectors before reaching his provisional decisions, along with the views of the validating bodies concerned, including the CNAA, as well as the views of the institutions themselves and of their governing bodies. He also took account of a wide range of other considerations including the rates of employment of graduates from those institutions, their relationship with other higher education and the geographical spread of provision. He did not receive advice from CATE on this matter. His provisional decisions are an overall judgment of how the available numbers can best be deployed to ensure the most effective provision of initial teacher training in the public sector as a whole.

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information is available to his Department in respect of the number of mature entrants to teacher training in each of the last five years; whether he is satisfied with the number; what proposals he has to increase the number; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Chris Patten

The numbers of students aged 25 and over entering initial teacher training in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984 were 5,697, 5,620, 4,995, 4,489 and 4,192 respectively. My right hon. Friend recognises the value of prospective teachers having had previous employment, or experience of work with children or adolescents. In his recent provisional allocation of target intakes to the public sector he has taken particular account of proposals for courses designed to attract those with relevant experience of this sort.

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what criteria he used, in relation to the requirements of inner cities and the ability of inner city teacher training institutions to satisfy the demands placed upon them, in fixing the provisional allocation of teacher training intakes; if he has any plans to increase the allocation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chris Patten

My right hon. Friend took into account the geographical distribution of teacher training provision and the capacity of institutions to safeguard and expand the provision of courses utilising skills in ethnic minority languages. The provisional allocations will be reviewed in the light of any representations received by 27 June.