HC Deb 27 March 1990 vol 170 cc173-5W
23. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what figures his Department holds for the number of teacher vacancies in England as at 1 January 1990 and at the recent equivalent date at the beginning of each of the years of the previous decade.

Mr. Alan Howarth

Information on teacher vacancies in January 1990 is not yet available.

The number of vacancies for full-time permanent teachers in England in January of each year from 1980 to 1989 are shown in the table. Information on vacancies in nursery and primary schools was not collected before 1988.

we are phasing its introduction to make it more manageable for schools in accordance with our stated policy.

75. Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress there has been with the introduction of the parts of the national curriculum dealing with mathematics, science and technology.

Mrs. Rumbold

The national curriculum attainment targets and programmes of study for mathematics and for science came into force from the beginning of the last autumn term for children aged five and 11. Schools are preparing to apply the national curriculum requirements to seven-year-olds from this September.

The order for technology in the national curriculum was laid before Parliament on 6 March. Attainment targets and programmes of study will be introduced this autumn for children aged five, seven and II years of age.

63. Mr. Duffy

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representation he has recently received about the national curriculum; and whether he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

My right hon. Friend frequently receives correspondence from school governing bodies, teachers, parents and others about the national curriculum. It shows substantial support for the national curriculum in principle.

53. Mr. Hardy

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals he has to ensure that there are sufficient teachers available to teach the national curriculum in September 1990.

Mr. Alan Howarth

Since 1986 the Government have been pursuing a range of measures designed to attract people into teaching. These include the initial teacher training bursary scheme for shortage subjects, recently increased in value to £1,500, with £2,000 for physics students, and extended to include modern foreign languages; the education support grant scheme for school teacher recruitment; and support for a Londonwide recruitment campaign to attract qualified teacher returners. In addition, implementation of the licensed teacher scheme will ensure an increasing number of mature entrants.

We also plan a work experience scheme to give undergraduates experience of teaching. In addition, through the work of the teaching as a career unit and other ways, we will continue to publicise teaching as a career and to stimulate recruitment.

46. Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about progress on the introduction of the national curriculum in Northumberland.

Mrs. Rumbold

It is for the Northumberland education authority in the first instance to monitor progress in introducing the national curriculum in the schools it maintains. However, evidence from Her Majesty's inspectors shows that schools across the country are in general making satisfactory progress in implementing the new requirements.