The consultation aims to avoid newly-qualified teachers being thrown in at the deep end by introducing a gentler lead-in to the profession via a two-year induction period and a more structured system of mentoring.
The Government has mooted a new fund to pay for sabbaticals for teachers who want to take part in defined projects which can demonstrate value for money.
The consultation documents say this will make it easier to develop and retain teachers. The number of teachers leaving the profession rose by 11 per cent between 2011 and 2014, according to DfE data, while the DfE has failed to hit its trainee teacher targets for the last three years.
The changes include:
- Extending the induction period to two years (rather than one) after which QTS is awarded
- Development of an early career content framework setting out what all teachers need to know – this will be a set of core knowledge and professional skills that all teachers should have developed to a certain standard during their time as an Newly Qualified Teacher, in order to be awarded QTS
- Ways to improve mentoring arrangements for NQTs.
The second half of the consultation focuses on career development, and includes:
- Expansion of professional qualifications to include specialisms to promote specialist career pathways
- ‘A range of options to help embed a culture of continuing professional development’
- A pilot fund for work-related sabbaticals for teachers who have been in post for seven years which would pay salaries for up to a year
This consultation does not cover EYTs or QTS in the early years sector.
The early years workforce strategy committed to consulting on ‘amending regulations to allow those with EYTS, and its predecessor EYPS, to lead nursery and reception classes in maintained schools.’
- Consultation closes: 9 March 2018
- https://consult.education.gov.uk/teaching-profession-unit/strengthening-qts-and-improving-career-progression/
