§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what provision his Department currently makes for teacher training in physical education; [46101]
(2) if he will make a statement on the requirements for physical education in teacher training programmes. [46102]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisIn November 1997, the Government gave the Teacher Training Agency a target of 1,450 trainees to be recruited to specialist physical education initial teacher training courses in 1998–99.
The Secretary of State's requirements for courses of initial teacher training set out the standard of knowledge, understanding and skills all trainees must demonstrate in order successfully to complete a course of initial teacher training and be eligible for Qualified Teacher Status. It is for individual providers of initial teacher training to decide how physical education is covered in their courses in order to ensure that these standards are met.