The TTA has awarded:

- 466 places which qualify for both a training grant and a grant worth up to £13,000 towards the trainee's salary; and

- 552 places under new arrangements which enable the TTA to pay a training grant where the school is in a position to meet full salary costs.

The trainees join 1,290 people who began individual training programmes under the scheme this autumn. More places will be available from April 2002.

The GTP trainees are in addition to the 29,000 people expected to begin Government-funded teacher training courses in schools, universities and colleges this academic year - the highest total for seven years, and five per cent more than last year.

The introduction of places with training grants only from January was announced by School Standards Minister Stephen Timms in September, in response to requests from schools.

Mr Timms said:

'I am pleased that our decision to enable more high quality graduates to take up places on the GTP has resulted in more than 1,000 additional people being able to begin teacher training in the classroom next term. This is more the twice the number who started in January last year.

'We have more teachers in our schools than at any time since 1984, but we have promised to recruit another 10,000 by 2006. The growth in demand for places on the GTP has shown it is popular with trainees and schools, and is already making a significant contribution in helping us towards that
target.'

TTA Chief Executive Ralph Tabberer said:

'There has never been more interest in becoming a teacher, and the Graduate Teacher Programme is offering an additional group of mature graduates - particularly those with family and similar commitments who wish to change from other careers - an attractive and viable route into the profession.

'There has been strong competition again, and we received more than 1,600 applications for places starting in January. I am confident that those places have been awarded to the best qualified candidates, training in particularly good schools and supported by the strongest training plans.

'I encourage those who were not successful this time to consider re-applying for the next round in April, or look at alternative ways into teacher training, such as the 1,500 flexible places whereby trainees can combine their training course with their current job.

'The TTA has been hugely encouraged by the rapid expansion and take-up of this innovative programme. It started out with 89 places in 1997-8. The number this year has been increased by adding training grant-only places to the 2,250 salary funded places already announced.

'More than one third of new entrants to teaching are above 30 years old. The GTP has proved to be a real bonus in an evolving jobs market in which more graduates are changing their careers in the early years of their working lives. We will make sure the programme adapts and improves to meet their needs.'



NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The GTP enables trainees aged 24 or more work as unqualified teachers while following an individual programme of teacher training leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). The programme normally takes a year but can be shortened for people with teaching experience. The TTA pays schools a grant of up to £13,000 in a full year towards the cost of employing the trainee and up to £4,000 to the school or its training provider for training costs. From January 2002, additional places can be awarded on the basis of training grants only, where schools are able to meet trainees' salary costs. Candidates are put forward by recommending bodies - schools, training providers and other organisations - and places are allocated by the TTA on the basis of advice from a panel of independent experts. Unsuccessful candidates from this round are invited to contact the GTP Administration Unit for feedback, or inquire about other routes into teaching from the Teaching Information Line (tel: 0845 6000 991).
2. Priority categories for GTP places are:
   • secondary shortage subjects (mathematics, science, information
     technology, design and technology, modern foreign languages and English;
   • primary teachers specialising in mathematics, science or technology;
   • under-represented groups - men into primary, minority ethnic
     teachers, teachers with disabilities;
   • other good quality applications in any subject or phase;
   • people currently working as Teaching Assistants.
3. In addition, a special GTP for overseas-trained teachers (OTTs) provides an assessment-only route with the option of a short training programme if needed. The TTA pays grant for assessment and, where necessary, training but does not provide a salary grant. More than 280 OTTs have been taken on to the programme in the current school year.
4. The TTA has announced a review of the operation of the GTP, following the Government's commitment in its White Paper 'Schools achieving success' to make the programme more flexible. The objectives of the reform are to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of GTP delivery, reduce the uncertainty associated with obtaining a GTP place for candidates and training providers, and reduce bureaucracy. Papers relating to the review will be posted on the TTA's website at www.canteach.gov.uk/gtpreform where people will be able to take part in a discussion forum and submit views.
5. The Teacher Training Agency was established under the Education Act 1994. Its purpose is to raise standards in schools by attracting able and committed people into teaching and by improving the quality of teacher training. The Agency is responsible for a wide range of initiatives to promote recruitment to the teaching profession; for funding Initial Teacher Training; for further development of the standards for award of Qualified Teacher Status; and working with the New Opportunities Fund for the provision of training in the use of ICT in subject teaching.