Teacher trainers ordered to rethink entry standards to ‘maximise recruitment’
Teacher trainer providers have been told they will be checked to see if they are rejecting suitable candidates – after a drastic drop in applications.
Nick Gibb, Minister for School Standards, has written to initial teacher training providers today saying that the initial teacher training (ITT) criteria will be changed to: “encourage universities and schools to assess candidates on their potential to meet the teachers’ standard by the end of their training.”
He adds that providers will be required to show what steps they are taking to maximise recruitment.
The letter from Mr Gibb states: “We are amending our ITT criteria and Ofsted is making a number of minor changes to the ITE (initial teacher education) inspection handbook. It is right to reject candidates who are not suitable.
“However, it is also crucial to support and develop those who have the desire and talent to teach. The emphasis must be on assessing applicants based on their suitability to train to teach, rather than whether they are ready to teach at the point of entry.”
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