After this training, students can 'cash in' the experience gained towards qualified teacher status if they subsequently do a postgraduate teacher training programme.

Under the previous Undergraduate Credit and Teacher Associate (TA), schemes, around 700 students completed training in schools. The new pilot initiative will see 3000 students join in programmes of undergraduate experience.

Minister for School Standards David Miliband said of the schemes:

'Figures published last week showed that the number of graduates applying for teacher training has grown for the third year running. This exciting initiative has the potential to make a real impact on teacher recruitment over the coming years. It will enable thousands of university students to see at first hand just how great a contribution teachers can make to improving young peoples' life chances. I hope this will lead to new and untapped pools of undergraduate talent discovering that teaching can offer them a fulfilling and rewarding career.'

Ralph Tabberer TTA's Chief Executive said:

'We closely monitored the experience of all the participants in last year's undergraduate credit pilot. Undergraduates, schools and training providers were extremely enthusiastic about the scheme and the benefits that it brought. The evidence suggests that undergraduates gained a real insight into teaching. The experience helped many to confirm their interest in entering the teaching profession. For many this could lead to a faster route to qualification.'

The second phase of the project will build on the successes of the earlier Teacher Associate and the Undergraduate Credit pilot schemes and will run for one year.

Students will receive training which will help them to demonstrate achievement against the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status either as part of, or in addition to, their undergraduate degree.

Notes for editors

1. The Undergraduate Credits scheme was first piloted in 2001 to investigate how undergraduates, other than those on teacher training degrees could demonstrate achievement of the standards for the award of qualified teacher status (QTS) that all teachers must meet.
2. The Teaching Associate scheme was established by the DfES in 2000 and sought to attract high quality undergraduates to gain teaching experience in nine Education Action Zones (EAZs). Around 700 students have been through the Teacher associate scheme since it started two years ago and over 300 students took part in the first pilot of the undergraduate credit scheme.
3. Students who participate in the undergraduate programmes will receive a bursary of up to £1000 from their training providers.

A full list of confirmed contractors running courses on the second pilot is shown below at Annex 1.

A summary of the KPMG evaluation of the Undergraduate Credit Scheme is found on the TTA website www.canteach.gov.uk

Media enquiries
TTA Press Office Tel: 020 7925 3855/3735
Out of hours: 07771 934629
e-mail: pressoffice@teach-tta.gov.uk

General TTA enquiries: 020 7925 3700
Prospective applicants for Initial Teacher training should visit the TTA website, Teach or call the Teaching Information Line: 0845 6000991

Annex 1

Organisations running Undergraduate Credit or Teacher Associate schemes
BOLTON INSTITUTE
BRADFORD COLLEGE
CORNWALL LEA
EDGE HILL
LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
MANOR PARTNERSHIP
OXFORD BROOKES
ST MARTINS COLLEGE
UCE BIRMINGHAM
UNIVERSITY CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
UNIVERSITY DERBY
UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
DATA
EAST MIDDLESBOROUGH EAZ
NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNI
INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION
STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL - QLS
SOUTHEND EAZ
CHESTER COLLEGE OF HE
SUNDERLAND UNIVERSITY
CANTERBURY CHRISTCHURCH
NEWMAN COLLEGE OF HE
UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK
UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
LIVERPOOL (JOHN MOORES/HOPE/EXCITE EAZ)
LINCOLNSHIRE (BISHOP GROSSETESTE)
UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH
UNIVERSITY OF SURREY ROEHAMPTON

Total Acceptances 28