HC Deb 05 February 1997 vol 289 c618W
Sir Timothy Sainsbury

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the extent to which the requirements relating to spiritual and moral training laid out in the Education Act 1944 and the Education Act 1988 are currently met in (i) initial teacher training and (ii) in-service teacher training; and if she will make a statement. [14229]

Mr. Forth

All maintained schools are required to provide a curriculum which promotes pupils' spiritual and moral development. Newly qualified teachers must have acquired the foundation to develop a readiness to promote such development. Schools in-service training budgets can be used to fund necessary training for serving teachers. Additionally, the Teacher Training Agency is currently consulting on standards, for subject leaders and head teachers, which require the ability to establish and gain commitment to a vision for successful learning, including pupils' moral and spiritual development. Standards for expert teachers will follow later this year.