Million Plus

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, has today (21 February) responded to the House of Commons Education Select Committee’s Recruitment and Retention of Teachers report.

Pam Tatlow, Chief Executive of MillionPlus, said:

”The Education Select Committee’s report sets out a new approach to teacher education in England which is very welcome and much needed. MPs also make clear that teacher retention as well as the status of the profession will only be improved when teachers are entitled to high-quality, relevant continuing professional development throughout their careers. This was a key part of our evidence to the Committee and we are pleased that this recommendation has been adopted.

“Since 2010, Ministers have promoted a confusing plethora of routes into teaching and have sought to reduce the role of universities in teacher education. This stands in sharp contrast to countries that are high performers in education, where expert teacher educators in universities and schools are regarded as essential to the recruitment and retention of teachers with high quality professional qualifications. With the number of pupils due to rise, the Department for Education and the Treasury would be wise to invest in the strategy outlined in the Committee’s report to ensure that all schools in England can recruit and retain teachers in all subjects and specialisms that they need.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk
2. MillionPlus twice submitted written evidence to the Committee; those submissions can be found here and here. In addition, Dr Jane Courtney from London South Bank University appeared before MPs to give evidence on behalf of MillionPlus
3. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact Dan Blows on 020 7717 1658 or email press@millionplus.ac.uk