Teachers' anger at pension cost

28 July 2011 Last updated at 16:07 GMT By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent Teachers staged a strike in the summer term over pensions Teachers' unions have raised the prospect of further industrial action amid angry responses to proposals for higher pension contributions.

"Members have taken strike action before to defend their pensions and will do so again," said NUT leader Christine Blower.

The proposals mean that an experienced teacher earning ?35,000 per year would contribute an extra ?341 per year.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said the plans are "fair and sustainable".

Along with other public sector workers, teachers are being given details of proposed changes to how much money they will have to pay into their pension scheme.

For teachers in the most typical pay band - ?32,000 to ?39,999 per year - contributions will rise from 6.4% to 7.6%.

'Last straw'

But the announcement has prompted an angry response from teachers' unions, who reject the government's plans for public sector pensions.

They have argued that teachers are being forced to pay for the banking crisis and deficit.

Continue reading the main story

It is right that we ask public sector employees to pay more towards their pension to ensure they are affordable for future generations of teachers”

End Quote Nick Gibb Schools Minister "It has nothing to do with the affordability or sustainability of teachers' pensions, it is a tax on teachers to pay for the mistakes of others," said Russell Hobby, general secretary of the NAHT head teachers' union.

"The proposed increase in pension contributions is about plugging the hole in the deficit created by the banking crisis, it's not about making the pension scheme affordable in the long term," added Malcolm Trobe of the ASCL head teachers' union.

"All indications are that the teachers' scheme is already self-sufficient with contributions at the current rate."

And he warned: "This may be the last straw for the education sector."

Teachers' unions staged a one-day strike over pensions in the summer term - and last week the ATL and NUT warned of further industrial action in the autumn, if no agreement had been reached with the government.

The strike disrupted 12,000 schools in England and Wales - with teachers protesting against changes which they said would mean higher contributions, longer years of working and lower payments.

'Cynical'

In response to the details of proposed increases in contributions, the NUT general secretary, Christine Blower set out her opposition.

"Beginning a formal consultation over the political recess when there will be little chance for scrutiny will be regarded, quite rightly by teachers as a cynical move," she said.

"We cannot allow this ruthless dismantling of our public sector pensions to go ahead."

ATL general secretary Mary Bousted said: "It's clear that the proposed contribution increases are simply a way of raising money from teachers and lecturers to go to the Treasury, not towards pensions. We don't think this tax on teachers is fair."

Chris Keates, leader of the NASUWT, said it was "grossly unjust" that teachers would be paying through their penions an "additional tax for a financial crisis they did not create".

'Fairer balance'

The Department for Education has set out how pension changes would affect contributions by a range of teaching staff.

It shows that a newly-qualified teacher, earning ?21,000 per year, would pay an extra ?126 per year.

But because pension contributions are taken before income tax is deducted, the department calculates that these entry-level teachers in effect would pay ?103 more per year.

A head teacher earning ?100,000 per year, on this calculation including income tax, would pay an extra ?1,206.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb promised that "the Teachers' Pension Scheme will remain one of the very best available in the public sector".

"However, people are living longer and this makes pensions more expensive. Lord Hutton made it clear that there needs to be a fairer balance between what employees and taxpayers contribute towards public service pensions," said Mr Gibb.

"It is right that we ask public sector employees to pay more towards their pension to ensure they are affordable for future generations of teachers."

Proposed changes for teachers' pensions, 2012-2013:

Increased contribution (net of tax relief)

Source: DFE

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Teachers are given new standards

14 July 2011 Last updated at 17:11 GMT There should be a single set of standards for all teachers, the review recommends New professional standards for teachers in England say they must show tolerance and respect for the rights of others and not undermine "fundamental British values".

They will come in from September next year, following an independent review of the skills teachers should have.

The government says they are a key part of continuing to raise standards in teaching.

Teachers say the standards are vague and another stick to beat them with.

But head teachers have welcomed them.

The new rules say teachers must "uphold public trust in the profession" and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour in and out of school.

They "must not undermine fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs".

It adds that teachers should make sure their personal beliefs "are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils' vulnerability or might lead them to break the law".

The government says it is replacing an "old, ambiguous and vague system" with new standards which are "practical and clear about the competencies that all teachers should have".

It says the standards will help head teachers assess teachers' performance; make it clear that teachers need to be able to tackle bad behaviour and "are able to teach the core basics of reading and writing, including understanding systematic synthetic phonics".

The Education Secretary Michael Gove had previously complained that it was too difficult for head teachers to get rid of poor teachers.

Classroom practice

Sally Coates, the principal of Burlington Danes School in west London, chaired the review on which the standards are based.

She said: "Nothing has more impact on a child's achievement than the quality of teaching they receive and in the new standards for teachers we have prioritised the importance of classroom practice and subject knowledge.

Continue reading the main story

The new standards are vague, poorly drafted, lack clarity, are open to wide interpretation... and will simply serve as a stick with which to beat teachers”

End Quote Chris Keates NASUWT "I hope the review's recommendations will ensure the benchmark for entry to the profession is rigorous and firmly based in teaching."

The new guidance lists eight standards for teaching and three for personal and professional conduct, replacing longer lists.

Those relating to teaching say teachers must set high expectations of pupils; show good subject knowledge; plan and teach well-structured lessons; promote good progress among pupils; adapt their teaching to meet the needs of all pupils; make good use of assessment; manage behaviour and fulfil their wider responsibilities to school life.

Those about conduct say teachers should maintain high levels of ethics and behaviour; have proper regard for the practices of their school, including good attendance and punctuality and be aware of and act within guidelines on their professional duties.

Chris Keates, the general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, said: "Professional standards for teachers are about defining appropriate skills, knowledge and understanding. However, the new standards conflate and confuse these with a code of conduct, demonstrating the punitive mindset this coalition has towards teachers.

"The new standards are vague, poorly drafted, lack clarity, are open to wide interpretation, will breed confusion and uncertainty and will simply serve as a stick with which to beat teachers."

Christine Blower, the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said some of the recommendations covered essential skills and knowledge needed for teaching - but that standards on these already existed.

The Association of School and College Leaders - representing heads - said the new standards were "a welcome foundation on which to build better practice".

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RE 'squeezed out' say teachers

24 June 2011 Last updated at 12:21 GMT Schools' performance in the English Bacc was listed in league tables for the first time this year Religious education is in danger of disappearing from the curriculum in many secondary schools, RE teachers say.

Schools in England are meant to teach the subject to pupils up to the age of 16.

But RE teachers say a new league table measure is drawing pupils away, because the subject is not included in this measurement.

The new English Baccalaureate measures pupils with GCSEs in five subjects.

These have to be good passes (A* to C) in English, maths, a language, two sciences and either geography or history.

Redundancies

The government introduced the measure last December and RE teachers say the impact has been instant.

Music teachers have also said that their subject is suffering as a result of being left out of the English Baccalaureate.

The National Association of Teachers of Religious Education (NATRE) asked its members about how much RE teaching was being done in their schools.

It says about a quarter of the state-funded schools featured in its research were not teaching RE to pupils aged from 14 to 16.

The study involved contacting NATRE members for their views.

Researchers excluded schools from which there had been more than one response, plus those from faith schools and independent schools, leaving a pool of more than 1,100 secondary schools including academies and grammars.

Continue reading the main story

Teachers... being made redundant, being made to teach other subjects and of successful departments with good results being closed”

End Quote Deborah Weston Teacher and NATRE executive member It says many schools reported a drop in the numbers of pupils taking RE as a GCSE subject.

In schools where entry levels had fallen, more than half blamed the impact of the introduction of the English Baccalaureate.

RE teacher and executive member of NATRE Deborah Weston said the responses had revealed a "devastating" picture.

"People have been e-mailing their individual stories of teachers being made redundant, being made to teach other subjects and of successful departments with good results being closed," she said.

RE teachers say because the subject is compulsory, most schools previously chose to enter teenagers for a GCSE or half GCSE in it, but that situation is now changing because of the influence of the English Baccalaureate.

They say schools do not want to "look bad" in the new league table measure so are steering children towards the GCSE subjects included in the English Baccalaureate.

'Vital part of curriculum'

A Department for Education spokesman said: "The number of core subjects [in the English Bacc] has been kept small deliberately to allow the opportunity for wider study. There are valuable and rigorous qualifications not in the EBacc, like RE, that pupils should be free to take if they want.

"RE remains a vital part of the school curriculum, that's why it remains compulsory for every single student up to 16. It's rightly down to schools themselves to judge how it is taught and how it fits into wider school life."

The British Humanist Association says the issue is not whether RE is included in the English Baccalaureate or not - but that the subject should be taken "out of the hands of local and often factional interests".

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Plan to recruit better teachers

27 June 2011 Last updated at 12:49 GMT By Sean Coughlan BBC News education correspondent Trainee secondary school science teachers with first-class degrees will receive the highest bursaries Plans to attract higher-quality recruits into teaching in England have been set out by the government.

Tougher rules to enter teacher training are to be introduced, including limits on the number of re-takes for tests in numeracy and literacy.

There will also be bursaries of up to ?20,000 to attract students with first-class degrees in priority subjects.

"We need to attract the best people to train to teach," said Education Secretary Michael Gove.

"We have some excellent teachers in this country, but many who could make a huge difference in the lives of children choose other professions," he said.

But head teachers' leader Russell Hobby said you would not attract top candidates by cutting teachers' pensions.

"Worrying about entry tests is somewhat ironic in the face of the largest threat to teachers' terms and conditions in decades," said Mr Hobby, head of the National Association of Head Teachers.

Cash incentive

The education secretary has said persuading the most talented students to enter the teaching profession is an important part of raising standards - high-achieving school systems such as Finland and South Korea recruit teachers from the top 5% to 10% of graduates.

Michael Gove: "I think you need to raise the bar right at the beginning."

As such Mr Gove wants a recruitment system in England that encourages applications from high-achieving students.

For trainees entering in 2012 there are proposals for financial incentives on a sliding scale of between ?20,000 and ?4,000 for a one-year postgraduate course.

The highest bursaries of ?20,000 will be for students with first-class degrees who would teach physics, maths and chemistry in secondary school.

In medium-priority subjects, such as modern languages, students with a first-class degree would receive ?13,000. For primary or other secondary subjects, they would receive ?9,000.

A modern-languages trainee with a 2:1 degree would receive ?10,000. A trainee teacher for primary school would receive ?5,000 with a 2:1 or ?4,000 with a 2:2.

This is against a background in which teacher-training students will be paying higher tuition fees of up to ?9,000 per year.

There will also be a fund to protect teacher-training courses, which might no longer be financially viable under the changes in higher education funding.

There will not be any bar on teachers with third-class degrees - but they will not have government funding.

Tougher tests

There will also be an attempt to filter out weaker candidates by only allowing teacher-training applicants to fail numeracy and literacy tests three times.

At present students are allowed to take unlimited re-sits while they train.

The numeracy tests include graphs and tables, as well as mental arithmetic questions using percentages and fractions.

There will also be an emphasis on teacher training in schools, with outstanding schools or groups of schools being designated as Teaching Schools, where trainees can learn at first hand.

The first wave of 100 such Teaching Schools are expected to be running in the autumn.

NAHT leader, Russell Hobby, agreed that there should be high standards for those entering teacher training.

But he warned against putting too much emphasis on high degree grades.

"We should not fall into the trap of thinking that academic excellence necessarily makes someone a great teacher.

"We want smart people, but we also want visionary, caring, energetic, creative and thoughtful people. The proposals neglect inter-personal skills. And they implicitly neglect primary and early years," said Mr Hobby.

Pam Tatlow, chief executive of the Million+ group of new universities, which includes teacher training institutions, questioned the link between degree grade and teaching ability.

"A first-class honours degree is not in itself a passport to becoming an effective teacher.

"It is also difficult to see how this will broaden the profile of those becoming teachers."

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Teachers complain of exam errors

16 June 2011 Last updated at 15:59 GMT By Angela Harrison Education correspondent, BBC News Students involved will sit their other ICT exam later this month ICT teachers have complained they were told to "mark right answers as wrong" because of mistakes by an exam board.

They have complained to England's exams watchdog Ofqual about several errors on a guide they were given for marking course work for an AS-level exam.

The exam board involved, OCR, says students will not suffer as a result and that there were no mistakes on the paper itself.

There have been several errors on exam papers this summer.

Ofqual last week said the series of mistakes was unacceptable and disappointing.

This latest case involves the marking of course work, known as a "structured task".

Students have to complete a number of tasks under exam conditions, such as creating websites and databases.

The course work accounts for 40% of the AS-level.

It is marked by students' teachers against a guide or "mark scheme" given by the exam body which tells them what they can award marks for. The work is then sent to the exam board where a sample from each school is checked.

'No excuses'

Documents seen by the BBC show the exam board accepts there were four mistakes on the marking scheme - though some teachers have said there were as many as six.

When teachers pointed out the errors to the exam board, the tutors say they were told to follow the marking scheme and that adjustments would be made by exam board moderators.

The exam bodies normally check a sample of papers from each school or exam centre.

Continue reading the main story

There should be a system where they are checked and double-checked - not just for us but for the children”

End Quote Lynne Head ICT teacher Lynne Head, an ICT teacher from Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, said: "It's so unprofessional. It's become a farce. There should not be any excuse for any of these mistakes.

"There should be a system where they are checked and double-checked - not just for us but for the children."

She said some of her students had been upset when she showed them their marks - even though she explained that these could well rise once the exam board had re-checked them.

"They were crestfallen, saying, 'All that work and I only got a C,'" she said. "I feel so sorry for them."

Former ICT examiner Paul Long, who runs an online support group for ICT teachers, told the BBC: "When the mark scheme was published, there were four serious errors in the answers given. If OCR had issued an errata notice [a correction], then this could have been resolved.

"However, they told teachers to mark correct answers as wrong. This would be like in a maths exam if a child had written '5 + 5 =10', but the mark scheme said '11' and teachers were told to mark '10' as wrong."

Mr Long says the process the exam board is putting in place to manage the errors is "completely flawed".

He said: "They will only see a small percentage of work from candidates, and both those candidates who get the answers right, and those who get them wrong, will be treated exactly the same."

'Rare mistakes'

A spokeswoman for OCR confirmed there had been errors but said these would "not impact on students" because measures were being put in place to deal with the problem.

"We are able to adjust for that," she said.

"It is rare that exam boards make these errors. But we are aware of them and we are dealing with them."

An ICT teacher from Leicestershire has made a formal complaint to Ofqual about the assessment of the AS-level, saying he speaks on behalf of "many colleagues in numerous schools throughout the UK".

Ofqual - England's exams watchdog - has confirmed it is looking at the complaint. It is already investigating errors on six of this summer's papers.

It has published figures for the number of errors in recent years - although it warns that they are not directly comparable because Ofqual was created last year and its predessor bodies might have recorded errors in a different way.

Last week it suggested the number for this year was roughly in line with previous years.

But the published figures show no incidents recorded for last year or in 2009, with three in 2008 and one in 2006 and again in 2007.

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Fewer new teachers in secure jobs

15 June 2011 Last updated at 08:13 GMT Only one in five new teachers in Scotland have found permanent, full-time jobs Concerns have been voiced that only one in five new teachers in Scotland found permanent, full-time jobs after qualifying in 2009-10.

The figure was revealed in a General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) survey of 1,222 former probationers.

Its chief executive, Anthony Finn, said there was a clear "cause for concern".

But Scotland's Education Secretary Mike Russell insisted the figures did not reflect the current situation for new teachers.

He added: "The latest Job Seeker Allowance figures show that we are beginning to see real progress in tackling teacher unemployment with year-on-year teacher unemployment in Scotland falling for the eighth month in a row.

"Teacher unemployment remains lower in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK."

All newly-qualified teachers in Scotland are guaranteed a "probationary" year teaching in a school.

After that employment within the education sector is not guaranteed.

The GTCS survey, which takes place annually, revealed that more new teachers have no job at all compared with the previous year, up from 13.5% to 16.2%.

The feedback from those who took part in the exercise further showed that the proportion of those securing part-time, permanent contracts also fell, to 2.4%. The previous year's rate was 4.5%.

Full-time contracts as supply teachers were offered to 8.6% of probationers, up from 6.2%, while those who became part-time supply teachers increased from 3.6% to 5.4%.

Out of the 2,914 probationers in 2009/10, 1,222 responded to the survey.

Commenting on the survey findings, Ronnie Smith, general secretary of teaching union EIS, said: "These are a particularly alarming set of figures, which illustrate just how difficult it is for new teachers to secure a permanent job upon completion of their induction year.

"With just one new teacher in five securing a full-time permanent job, the situation for new entrants to the profession and for Scottish education as a whole is particularly bleak."

Create more jobs

Ann Ballinger, general secretary of the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) called for a freeze in teacher training to allow the current glut of trainees without jobs to get work.

She said the problem was that many people assumed older teachers would retire early but they were unable to because of the recent financial downturn.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland's findings have been reported to the Scottish government.

Mr Finn said: "We are acutely aware of the financial constraints faced by public bodies across Scotland and accept that this will impact to a certain extent on teacher employment.

"We must ensure, however, that these highly-skilled new teachers who have been through a teacher induction scheme, described as world-class by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, are able to find work in the classroom, providing a quality education for our children and young people.

"As part of the recent Scottish negotiating committee for teachers agreement, the Scottish government has agreed with employers to create more jobs for teachers in the coming months.

"If this aspiration is realised, it should make a significant difference to the job prospects of those who have completed or are currently completing probation in Scotland."

Work secured by probationers 2008/2009 2009/2010

The General Teaching Council for Scotland's survey had 1,222 responses out of a possible 2,914

Full-time permanent employment

Part-time permanent employment

Full-time temporary employment

Part-time temporary employment

Local authority supply employment

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Teachers’ strike set for 30 June

15 June 2011 Last updated at 15:20 GMT Teachers say the planned pension changes will hit their pockets hard Teachers' unions in England and Wales which voted for strike action to protect their pensions have confirmed a co-ordinated walk-out on 30 June.

The strike by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) will disrupt thousands of schools.

ATL president, Andy Brown, announced the union's first national strike with "deep reluctance".

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude accused unions of "jumping the gun".

Following the ballot result on Tuesday backing strike action, the leaderships of the two unions confirmed plans for a one-day strike this month.

'Ride roughshod'

The teachers' unions are campaigning against changes to their pensions which they say will mean working longer, paying more and getting less when they retire.

NUT leader Christine Blower said that "teachers do not take strike action lightly" but accused the government of trying to "ride roughshod over them" in changes to their pensions.

The date set for the strike, the ATL president Andy Brown says, has been picked to "avoid external exams and important school and college events so that any strike causes as little disruption as possible to children's education".

"We do not want to strike, but unless we take a stand now the government will irreparably damage education in this country and children will lose out."

The other main classroom union, the NASUWT, has not held a strike ballot.

But the ATL's deputy general secretary, Martin Johnson, claimed that the strike would affect the "vast majority" of state schools in England and Wales.

It could also affect some independent schools, as many of their staff are members of the Teachers' Pension Scheme.

ATL would be sending out letters today and tomorrow to inform local authorities and school governors of the strike plan, he said, after which it would be down to individual schools to decide how they planned to respond and inform parents.

"Whether a school is completely closed or partly closed will depend entirely on the propotion of the staff who are members of the striking unions," he said.

'Disruptive'

Mr Maude accused the unions of announcing a strike before waiting for the outcome of negotiations.

"Any union or any public servant contemplating strike action at the moment is really jumping the gun. There's a long way to go on this yet."

"I am sorry that a handful of unions are hell-bent on pursuing disruptive industrial action while those discussions are still continuing," he said.

About 220,000 NUT members were balloted over the pensions changes. Around nine out of 10 (92%) of those who voted, backed the strike action with a turnout of 40%

And just over half of the ATL's members were eligible to vote - the rest are not members of the pension scheme.

Some 83% of the ATL members of those who voted backed the strike action - on a turn-out of 35%.

A spokesman for the Department for Education said the government was committed to working openly and constructively with unions.

But he added: "We are clear that a strike by teachers will only damage pupils' learning and inconvenience their busy working parents. The well-being and safety of pupils must remain paramount."

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Over 300 teachers made redundant

10 June 2011 Last updated at 05:28 GMT By Maggie Taggart Education Correspondent The number of teachers being made redundant is expected to be about 314 The BBC has learnt that 314 teachers are being made redundant from schools in Northern Ireland this summer.

Provisional figures compiled by the BBC show that 314 teachers are taking redundancy deals and the vast majority of them are going voluntarily and there is a generous severance package.

In 2010, less than two thirds of that number were made redundant.

Trade unions and principals have warned this is "the tip of the iceberg" and that the situation will worsen.

They said cuts could become more stringent and financial incentives for teachers to retire early may be reduced.

Across the 50 voluntary grammar schools, 69 redundancies are expected.

Teaching will also be affected by the loss of at least 163 classroom assistant posts.

Schools have blamed the move on budget cutbacks.

The Department of Education has reduced the number of places for trainee teachers but there are still a significant number leaving university who are not getting jobs

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Glasgow new teachers half pay plan

9 June 2011 Last updated at 12:43 GMT By Seonag MacKinnon BBC Scotland education correspondent The EIS union is worried about low pay being an added burden on new teachers Union bosses are urging Scotland's largest education authority to clarify its call for all probationer teachers to be put on half pay.

They currently receive ?21,400 in their probationer year but nothing in their final year of teacher training.

Glasgow City Council said its plan would see that salary split, with pay of ?10,700 in both the last year of study and the first year of teaching.

The Education Institute of Scotland said the country-wide plan was a worry.

It has been submitted to the Scottish government's inquiry into the profession's pay and conditions.

The EIS, which begins its annual conference later, said that if the suggestion was adopted, low pay would be an added burden for new teachers who may have student debts and significant problems finding work.

The union's Hugh Donnelly said: "Any proposal that suggests teachers' wages should be halved in their first two years would obviously be of great concern.

"New emerging teachers face a whole number of problems trying to secure full-time jobs and enter the profession already burdened with debt.

"This would be an added burden for them."

Continue reading the main story

Consideration should be given to making this a two year experience for all post-graduates, paid at 0.5 full time salary”

End Quote Glasgow Council submission to McCormac review The council's submission, which has been seen by BBC Scotland, said: "The one year probationer experiences needs to be reviewed in the light of Donaldson [teacher education reforms].

"Consideration should be given to making this a two year experience for all post-graduates, paid at 0.5 full time salary each year."

A spokesperson for the council said what was implied was that teachers should receive half of their probationer salary while in their last year at teacher training institutions, when they are currently unpaid.

They would then receive the other half while in their probationer period, which currently lasts a year with a salary of ?21,400. The following year it rises to ?25,700.

At the last count, there were almost 3,000 probationer teachers in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has commissioned Professor Gerry McCormac of Stirling University to review teachers' pay and conditions.

It is now more than a decade since staff saw changes under the landmark McCrone deal.

The deadline for submissions to the McCormac review was Easter and a report is expected in September.

If the Glasgow Council proposal is adopted by the review, then it would apply to all probationer teachers in Scotland.

The Scottish government will then decide which recommendations it wishes to adopt.

Last month the BBC obtained a copy of a confidential submission from Cosla, the umbrella body for local authorities.

It proposed shortening teachers' holidays, lifting the cap on their hours and requiring them to undertake further training.

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Poor teachers 'sacked in a term'

24 May 2011 Last updated at 11:33 GMT By Hannah Richardson BBC News education reporter The education departments says research shows the difference made by good quality teachers Poor teachers could be ousted from England's schools within a term, under government plans to make it easier for heads to get rid of under-performing staff.

Currently it can take more than a year to remove struggling teachers, because of lengthy bureaucratic processes.

Education Secretary Michael Gove said schools had been "trapped in complex red tape" for far too long.

But a teachers' union labelled the plans "unfair, unjust and unworkable".

"The proposals turn performance management on its head. Instead of helping teachers become even better at teaching it will give heads an easy way to get rid of teachers that they dislike," said Mary Bousted, leader of the ATL teachers' union.

Continue reading the main story

Heads and teachers also want a simpler and faster system to deal with teachers who are struggling”

End Quote Michael Gove Education Secretary But the Department for Education argues that high quality teachers are key to pupils' performance.

It cites US research which suggests pupils taught for three consecutive years by a top-performing teacher can make more progress than those taught for the same period by a low-performing teacher.

Currently, the system for managing teachers' performance is set out in the Education (School Teachers Performance Management) Regulations 2006.

The DfE argues these regulations are complex and overlap with procedures looking at how good they are in the classroom.

It has therefore published plans to radically reduce these rules to make it easier for schools to deal effectively with what it says are a "small number of poorly performing teachers".

It also wants to make it easier for schools to manage teachers in the way they see fit.

Mr Gove said England's schools had a great generation of teachers.

He added: "Heads and teachers also want a simpler and faster system to deal with teachers who are struggling.

"For far too long schools have been trapped in complex red tape. We must deal with this problem in order to protect the interests of children who suffer when struggling teachers are neither helped nor removed.

"Schools must be given the responsibility to deal with this fairly and quickly."

'Without delay'

The proposals will go out to a 12-week consultation and are likely to be in place by September 2011.

Brian Lightman, Association of School and College Leaders, said: "In the relatively small number of cases where performance is unsatisfactory in spite of the formal and informal support that has been provided, it is essential for the benefit of the students that capability procedures can be implemented swiftly without the current constraints over time scales."

National Association of Head Teachers general secretary Russell Hobby said heads needed the ability to move on the relatively few weak teachers in schools.

"They want to be able to do this fairly and without delay, to the benefit of pupils and, ultimately, staff. Both bureaucracy and delays are unfair to all involved."

He added that managing performance was an essential part of development for school staff as it ensured training needs and areas of attention were identified.

"If, despite that support, the level of performance is still not satisfactory, then it is essential that this is dealt with quickly and fairly," he added.

The National Union of Teachers general secretary Christine Blower said: "Procedures to deal with any concerns about performance must be fair and not offer a bully's charter.

"Many teachers already feel overburdened and under-supported in school.

"These proposals are about removing protections, not about cutting down on unnecessary red tape."

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Curbs lifted on foreign teachers

24 May 2011 Last updated at 09:29 GMT Ministers will be changing the rules from early 2012 The government plans to make it easier for foreign teachers to work in schools in England, without having to retrain.

Education Secretary Michael Gove said he intends to make changes initially for teachers who qualified in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the US.

Currently, fully trained teachers from these countries must undergo further training and assessment before being considered ready to teach here.

Mr Gove said teaching qualifications from these countries were suitable.

Ministers will be changing the rules from early 2012.

Further research will be commissioned to see if the same changes could be applied to teachers from other nations in the future.

Schools and local authorities who sponsor foreign teachers will still have to check their individual suitability.

Speaking in the Commons on Monday, Mr Gove said: "One of the aims of my department is to make sure that the most talented people possible are teaching our children, and it is already the case that teachers from the European Economic Area can teach in our schools.

"Today I want to extend that freedom to teachers from the Commonwealth countries such as Canada and New Zealand and Australia, and I hope that other Commonwealth countries like South Africa, Jamaica and Singapore can join in due course."

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Wales: Teachers 'battle to find jobs'

20 May 2011 Last updated at 05:55 GMT Jessica Jones, 28, of Porthmadog, has made 20 job applications since leaving Bangor University and has still to get a permanent job

Only four out of 10 newly-qualified teachers in Wales land substantive jobs in primary or secondary schools after training, according to new figures.

The General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) said almost the same proportion of new teachers (37.5%) were having to rely on supply work.

In 2003, nearly seven in 10 (66%) secured a first job after qualifying.

The Welsh Government said teacher recruitment and the use of supply teachers was a matter for schools.

The GTCW said the number of new teachers landing their first job had dropped 6% over the previous year and was the continuation of a falling trend over the past decade.

It has drawn the figures from the Wales' teaching register, which has nearly 39,000 people registered as eligible to teach in state schools.

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Jessica Jones, 28, of Porthmadog, Gwynedd, has made 20 job applications since teacher training at Bangor University.

"It slowly seems to have been getting worse," she said.

"Not only are you competing with all the trainees of the 2011 cohort, you are also competing with just over a third of last year's cohort that haven't secured positions.

"I've already had my student debt from my first degree. I've had to take another student loan for this year.

"I can't live at home for the rest of my life.

If I can't secure supply work or a permanent position, then I will have to take office work or a bar job.

It should really be something I could fit around supply teaching, because you are called in at the last minute."

GTCW deputy chief executive Hayden Llewellyn said the figures came against a background of "a little fluctuation over the years".

He said: "There is now a very clear trend towards newly-qualified teachers failing to get substantive jobs and having to register with agencies in order to get temporary and intermittent work as supply teachers at various different schools."

The Welsh Government said Education Minister Leighton Andrews had recently announced a 20-point plan to reform education in Wales which included a review of teacher training in Wales.

A spokesperson said: "Alongside this work we are also evaluating the number of Welsh [teacher training] places we fund in the future.

"The latest (2008/09) published figures show that, for students completing [teacher training] courses in Wales whose teaching activity was known six months after graduation, 81% were in a teaching post, which includes supply work.

"A further 13% were seeking a teaching post and 7% were not seeking a teaching post."

The GTCW register has been published annually since 2002 and covers a range of indicators including the age, gender, ethnicity, qualifications and disability status of teachers and head-teachers.

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Rift over Scots teachers' pay deal

13 May 2011 Last updated at 16:55 GMT Members of the SSTA have voted in favour of possible strike action Members of a teaching union have voted in favour of resisting a new deal on pay which will see their pay and benefits cut.

The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association (SSTA) has backed possible strike action over the ?45m package of cuts.

The pay deal was the centre of discussions at the union's annual conference in Peebles.

SSTA president Peter Wright said teachers were "extremely angry".

He condemned the deal put forward by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) and the Scottish government, which has been accepted by Scotland's largest teaching union, the EIS.

It includes a two-year pay freeze, cuts to maternity pay and much reduced pay for staff trying to live on temporary work.

Mr Wright said: "I think the motion calling for members to consider industrial action being passed unanimously speaks volumes about the way our members are feeling."

Curriculum for excellence

As the largest organisation, the EIS's decision is expected to be ratified by the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers.

Mr Wright added: "I think it's fair to say that there are a significant number of disappointed teachers in the SSTA, and disappointed teachers in the EIS as well.

"Disappointed and astonished that a trade union could do this kind of thing."

Education Secretary Mike Russell said the EIS was right to back the pay and conditions package being offered.

He told BBC Scotland: "I think the EIS is right to say this is the 'least bad option', because if this had not been accepted then I think the local authorities would have gone further.

"I think what we have got here, regrettably, is something that we just have to take and move on."

In his speech to the conference, Mr Wright also renewed his criticism of the curriculum for excellence.

He described the new curriculum as "not fit-for-purpose" partly because standards are uncertain.

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Canine teachers named for award

12 May 2011 Last updated at 14:08 GMT Using the dogs has a calming influence according to teachers Canine teachers used by a school in Conwy county to help children with behavioural or learning difficulties have been nominated for an award.

Barney, Wizz and Tully are short-listed for a "dogged devotion award" after being nominated by a teacher at Ysgol Bryn Elian in Old Colwyn.

Maggie McManus, who runs the unit at the school, said the the dogs are used to help boost self-confidence and even improve pupils' reading skills.

The award is run by the Dogs Trust.

The unit at the school deals with between 20 and 30 children in years 7 to 11, who are at risk of being excluded from school because of behaviour and learning problems.

The pupils learn how to train the dogs, boosting their self-confidence and a number of them also read to the dogs as a way of improving their reading skills.

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Stroking the dogs has had the most amazing effect on them and I've never seen anything like it in 20 years of teaching”

End Quote Maggie Mcmanus Ysgol Bryn Elian Dog handler Eryl Restall was originally invited into Ysgol Bryn Elian simply to demonstrate how she trained her animals.

One year 10 pupil who struggles with reading, says he is happy to read with golden retriever Tully and said the dog had made a big difference.

"Tully's quite relaxed so that makes me quite relaxed so I can read more clearly to people.

"My spelling has come on as well because I'm reading more and my English and work has been boosted up a couple of levels."

Ysgol Bryn Elian's Pupil Support Centre offers specialist help to those with behaviourial, social and emotional problems.

Confidence building

Maggie Mcmanus, who runs the unit, quickly realised the dogs offered something more.

"Stroking the dogs has had the most amazing effect on them and I've never seen anything like it in 20 years of teaching," she said.

"A lot of issues that they have are to do with self confidence and self esteem and the dogs do reduce the stress levels.

"The curriculum is more accessible to the kids, they build their confidence and they achieve far, far better."

Another pupil said she disliked school and once had an appalling attendance record.

But she has dreams of a career working with dogs, and is learning to train Barney as a reward for turning around her attitude to school.

"If the dogs aren't in. I do my work because I know they are going to be coming in some time that week and that's my reward," she said.

"I now have a chance to go to sixth form which I would really like to do.

"I've completed my work, I'm up to Cs in my GCSE work which I never thought I would get."

Eryl Restall goes into the school three times a week on a voluntary basis.

For her this has been the chance to teach the pupils about how to treat dogs - but she says she has been amazed by the results.

"There's a case for looking at dogs for the disabled or guide dogs and having their puppy walkers take them into schools," she said.

"Having the kids invested in the training of these dogs that help people means when they are out and about in their community in years to come and they see that dog they can say 'I helped that person have a better life'."

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