§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to raise standards of teaching in the sciences(a) in schools and (b) in higher education establishments. [87366]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe initial teacher training National Curriculum for primary and secondary science, which comes into effect this September, will ensure that all newly qualified teachers are fully prepared to teach science. We are also encouraging more specialist science graduates to apply for teaching through the £5,000 financial incentive announced last October.
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education is testing new procedures for assessing quality and safeguarding the standards of all higher education qualifications, including science qualifications. The new Institute for Learning and Teaching will accredit training programmes for higher education teachers, including science teachers.