HC Deb 26 July 2000 vol 354 cc665-6W
Mr. Clappison

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate he has made of the number of teachers likely to be appointed to the post of assistant head in the first year of its operation. [131715]

Ms Estelle Morris

Schools and, for centrally employed staff, LEAs will be free to appoint assistant headteachers as needed within their management structures, and within the resources they have available. Given the widely differing circumstances of individual schools, we have not attempted to estimate the total number likely to be appointed, although it is unlikely that any school will need a leadership group (including headteacher, deputy headteachers and assistant headteachers) of more than seven.

The DfEE will provide a grant of £2,356, comprising £2,000 plus 17.8 per cent. for national insurance and pension contributions, in academic year 2000–01 for all classroom teachers and advanced skills teachers appointed on a permanent basis by 31 December 2000 to assistant head teacher posts.