Discussions

A range of routes into teaching

The 6 month QTS programme is a small-scale pilot. We are experimenting innovatively to see if it works. If it does, we'll consider how the appeal might be widened, taking into account the views expressed. If it doesn't, we won't recommend rolling it out any further. All trainees, whatever the route, are selected on individual merit, including a mandatory interview and robust admissions procedures designed to determine whether candidates will make good teachers.

Subject knowledge and previous experience

TDA have a dedicated team of advisers responsible for working with providers. Their brief includes ensuring recruitment and selection is the best it can be. We are also piloting diagnostic tests (see below). Over 40% of our ITT entry already comes from mature candidates who are career changers and much of our advertising is focused on that group.

Getting good STEM gradates into school teaching

We note the view that subject knowledge might take on a higher campaign profile. We know that the quality of entry is rising year on year. Almost two thirds currently enter the profession with a 2.1 or better. This compares with about half of all entrants ten years ago. But we are looking at ways of raising the quality of entrants to ITT still further. We agree that we should do all we can to attract the highest qualified applicants. Our work to this end includes piloting diagnostic tests to see whether this can help providers in their selection process. We are also about to pilot a scheme aimed at recruiting high-achieving students on campus. In addition we are discussing ways of better targeting our programmes, including career exploration, so that high-achieving potential ITT trainees get the best from our service.