§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what training teachers providing drugs education in secondary schools are required to undertake. [82933]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggFunding is available to all local education authorities through the standards fund (£ 15.5 million in 2002– 03) for drug education. Part of the funding, £ 1.3 million in 2002– 03 was set aside to extend the drug, alcohol and tobacco education training package, which aims to support teachers in planning, delivering and monitoring effective drug education by learning from and with other teachers, through teacher observations and collaborative enquiry supported by teaching networks.
As drug education features within the National Curriculum Science Order, all initial teacher training courses for those preparing to teach science should address the appropriate aspects of drug, alcohol and tobacco education relating to each key stage. Through initial training newly qualified teachers acquire: an understanding of PSHE and Citizenship, through which drug education is usually delivered; working knowledge of their pastoral responsibilities as teachers; and a readiness to promote the well-being of pupils.