Teachers (Qualifications) (Hansard, 24 May 1988)

§ Mr. Kenneth Baker

After consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales I am today issuing a consultation document proposing new arrangements for granting qualified teacher status in England and Wales.

I propose to simplify the arrangements governing the employment in England and Wales of teachers from other parts of the United Kingdom and from overseas and to introduce clearer and better arrangements for the entry to teaching of persons with relevant experience and other qualifications who have not completed courses of pre-service training.

My objectives are to: enhance quality by requiring that—except in closely prescribed cases—all those entering teaching by other than the normal initial training route should have demonstrated the necessary knowledge, personal qualities and teaching ability in the classroom before being granted qualified teacher status; ensure that the arrangements for granting qualified teacher status are better able to serve the needs of employers; reduce significantly the administrative complexity of the present arrangements.

With certain limited exceptions, primarily for teachers from other parts of the United Kingdom or other parts of the education service, I therefore propose that all entrants to teaching by other than the standard training route should have to have satisfactorily completed a period of service as a licensed teacher and any associated training required by the employer before being eligible for qualified teacher status.

To secure that appropriate statutory authority exists for the new arrangements as these may be implemented in 110W the light of the process of consultation, the Government will table appropriate amendments to the Education Reform Bill now being considered in another place.

I am also proposing to revoke the regulations providing for a statutory system of probation for teachers. The present system has proved cumbersome and ineffective. It should be the responsibility of the employer to provide support for the beginning teacher, to monitor his performance and, if necessary, to decide that that performance is unsatisfactory.

Full details of my proposals are set out in the consultation document: copies are being placed in the Libraries of both Houses and in the Vote and Printed Paper Offices. I shall invite replies to the consultation document by mid-October.