The reforms follow a review of the GTP's administration procedures, set up in response to the rapid growth of the scheme. The GTP, which enables trainee teachers to learn 'on the job' in classrooms, has trebled in size since its introduction in 1997. Around 3,500 people have qualified as teachers after training under the scheme.

The changes include:

• giving designated GTP training providers responsibility for approving most candidates and their training programmes;
• allocating around 80 per cent of the available places in bulk to those providers, bringing the programme more into line with mainstream initial teacher training (ITT); and
• retaining around 20 per cent of places, which the TTA will award to applications from schools and local education authorities which manage fewer than ten trainees each academic year.

Schools Standards Minister, Stephen Timms, said:

'The GTP is producing additional, well-trained teachers for schools to complement those coming through more traditional routes. This excellent programme has succeeded in doubling its numbers in the last year alone.

'The TTA's reforms will encourage closer partnerships between schools, LEAs and Higher Education institutions and should lead to further improvements in the overall quality of training offered through the programme.'

TTA Chief Executive Ralph Tabberer, who chaired a working party on the reforms, said:

'The GTP has grown rapidly in a short time. The opportunity to train while you teach in a school and earn a salary, is attracting mature entrants who otherwise may not be able to return to full-time study.

'The number of places available has been expanded to help meet the demand from both candidates and schools. However, quality is paramount. The GTP is intended to complement other routes into teaching and places will continue to be awarded on a competitive basis.

'I believe the reforms now agreed with Ministers, coupled with the increased competition for places, will ensure that the programme produces teachers every bit as good as those who currently qualify through traditional routes - and, as Ofsted reports show, they are the best we have ever had.

'I am grateful to members of the working party for their help in finding innovative solutions to ensure the GTP can run as a quality route, smoothly and consistently in the light of the increasing demand for places.'

The TTA has contacted schools, LEAs and other organisations to inform them of the new arrangements, including the criteria and process for designating training providers, and invite bids from potential Designated Recommending bodies. Information is also available on the TTA's website, www.canteach.gov.uk/gtpreform

Notes to Editors

1. At present decisions on applications put forward by recommending bodies - schools, local education authorities, higher education institutions and other organisations - and are made by the TTA with advice from a panel of experts. Under the reforms, Designated Recommending Bodies (DRBs) will be allocated a numbers of places each year which they can award to individual applicants, in line with the way training providers allocate places for their ITT courses.
2. In seeking designation, the recommending body will need to demonstrate: its case to be a designated recommending Body (DRB), the role of schools within the DRB, quality assurance of training, its capacity to train, its recruitment processes, training plan development, trainee
   assessment arrangements, and its management and financial accountability. Designation will last for three years.
3. Ofsted will be represented on the TTA committee which accredits the new Designated Recommending Bodies. Details of inspection and quality assurance arrangements will be announced later.
4. The review of the GTP was announced on 29 November (TTA Press Notice 18/01). Papers relating to the working party's meetings were posted on the TTA's website, with facilities to submit views and take part in a discussion forum.
5. People trained on the GTP need to gain Qualified Teacher Status, like candidates from other routes, in order to be able to teach as a qualified teacher in a maintained school.
6. The GTP enables trainees aged 24 or more to 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. Since January 2002, additional places can be awarded on the basis of training grants only, where schools are able to meet trainees' salary costs.
7. 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 300 OTTs have been taken on to the programme in the current school year.
8. he 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.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
TTA Press Office Tel: 0207 925 3735/3855. Out of hours 07771 934629.
email: pressoffice@teach-tta.gov.uk

GENERAL ENQUIRIES: Tel: 0207 925 3700
Prospective applicants to the Graduate Teacher Programme should visit the TTA website, Teach or contact the Teaching Information Line (Tel: 0845 6000 991).