§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what provision is available to teachers to assist them to deliver a wider range of specialisms and cross-curricular activities, particularly in vocational subjects. [62458]
§ Mr. Miliband[holding answer 18 June 2002]: From September 2002 all those training to teach 11 to 14-year-olds will he trained in the Key Stage 3 Strategy emphasising the importance of cross curricular work. Those training to teach 14 to 18-year-olds will train to teach whatever national qualifications are relevant to their subject, including vocational qualifications, key skills and work related learning. An extensive programme of staff training and free support materials for schools and colleges is being funded by my Department to coincide with the introduction of new vocational GCSEs in September 2002. This is in addition to existing professional development opportunities which teachers can use to address any training needs on specialist or cross curricular activities.