HC Deb 17 October 1995 vol 264 cc243-4W
Mr. Gunnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what procedures exist for ensuring that training providers measure up to the standards envisaged in head teacher training. [36270]

Mr. Robin Squire

I will ask the chairman of the Teacher Training Agency to write to the hon. Member about the quality assurance procedures applied to Headlamp training providers.

Mr. Gunnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what advice she decides the training needs of newly qualified head teachers. [36274]

Mr. Squire

The Headlamp scheme allows governors and head teachers to decide the specific training needs to be met under the scheme. I will ask the chairman of the Teacher Training Agency to write to the hon. Member about the general Headlamp criteria.

Mr. Gunnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what organisations her Department plans to involve in the Headlamp scheme; and what expertise each brings to this work; [36284]

(2) how many teachers she expects to take part in the Headlamp scheme in its first year of operation; [36294]

(3) of those teachers taking part in Headlamp during its first year how many (a) are practising head teachers and (b) are practising deputy heads; [36295]

(4) what consultation has taken place with (a) teacher unions, (b) school governors or bodies representing them and (c) parents and bodies representing them in developing the Headlamp programme. [36271]

Mr. Squire

The development and management of Headlamp is a matter for the Teacher Training Agency. I will ask the chairman to write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Gunnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what is the expected cost of the Headlamp scheme in(a) 1995–96 and (b) 1996–97; and what was the budgetary provision for the training of head teachers in 1994–95. [36292]

Mr. Squire

In the grant for education support and training programme for 1994–95, £1.3 million was made available for head teacher mentoring. Schools and local education authorities could also support headteacher training from the separate GEST support for school management, totalling £22.4 million. In the GEST programme for 1995–96, these are covered by school effectiveness grant, which supports expenditure of £121.5 million. Grant-maintained schools may use special purpose grant (development) to pay for head teacher training. I will ask the chairman of the Teacher Training Agency to write to the hon. Member about the expected cost of Headlamp.

Mr. Gunnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, on what criteria she decides the training needs of newly qualified head teachers. [36275]

Mr. Squire

The Headlamp scheme allows governors and head teachers to decide the specific training needs to be met under the scheme. I will ask the chairman of the Teacher Training Agency to write to the hon. Member about the general Headlamp criteria.