Sir Clive, former vice-chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, has been Chair of the TTA Board since 1997 and has guided the organisation as it has helped increase recruitment to teacher training in England to the highest level for 12 years.

During that time the Agency has pioneered the introduction of new ways to train as a teacher, backed by the Government's financial incentives, and its award-winning 'Those who can, teach' campaign has helped to attract more than one million inquiries to the Teaching Information Line from people interested in joining the profession.

Mr Tabberer said:

'Clive has spearheaded change at the TTA, which has transformed us into an organisation which recruits effectively, works closely with training providers and schools, and ensures new entrants come into teaching with a thorough and professional preparation.

'His knowledge and understanding have greatly influenced our efforts to help raise the status of the teaching profession and his leadership in the Boardroom is matched by his support for every member of staff.

'I believe everyone involved in teacher training in England will want to join me in congratulating Clive on this well-deserved acknowledgement of his work over many years.'

Sir Clive said:

'I believe this honour recognises the expertise, support and dedication of a large number of colleagues, both inside and outside the TTA, reflecting the very high level of partnership working in teacher education.

'The TTA's work is rewarding and vital. We have developed new standards for Qualified Teacher Status, and we are delighted with the steady improvement in the classroom performance of new teachers reported by Ofsted.

'Now we look forward to playing our part in modernising the profession and enhancing teachers' status through advising on standards for the new higher level teaching assistants. Together with our partners we will strive to produce the high quality teachers and assistants we need to help every pupil fulfil their potential.'

Biographical Notes
Professor Sir Clive Booth, who lives in Oxford, was first appointed chair of the TTA in September 1997, and re-appointed in 2000 for a further three years. He was Vice-Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University (1986-97), where he managed the transition to university status and the acquisition of the Headington Hill Hall Estate. He has been instrumental in developing the NewRoutePhD, now offered by 31 UK top universities and aimed at providing PhD students with high quality taught materials and practical experience alongside advanced research.

He is also chair of the new Central Police Training and Development Agency (CENTREX), deputy chair of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), a senior adviser for higher education to the British Council, and a consultant to the World Bank. He is also involved in nurses' pay reviews, the ECCTIS/NARIC education information service, the Connexions service for young people, and the learning partnership movement.

Sir Clive was a senior civil servant in the Department of Education and Science between 1965 and 1981, and was Principal Private Secretary to two Secretaries of State for Education and Science. In 1981 he was appointed Deputy Director of Plymouth Polytechnic and in the mid 1980's he held a senior post with responsibility for higher education in Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools (HMI).

He has served on the main Board of the British Council, the Council for Industry and Higher Education, and the Commonwealth Scholarships Commission. He is Chair of the Editorial Board of Higher Education Quarterly and an Editorial Board Member of the Oxford Review of Education. He took a science degree in Cambridge and a doctorate in education finance at the University of California, Berkeley, where he was a Harkness Fellow between 1973 and 1975.

Notes to Editors
The Teacher Training Agency was created in 1994 to raise standards in schools by attracting able and committed people into teaching and improving the quality of teacher training.

In the current academic year, more than 31,000 people are beginning Initial Teacher Training in England - the third successive increase and the highest for more than 12 years - with a further 4,350 on employment-based teacher training routes.

Media enquiries
TTA Press Office Tel: 020 7023 8080
Out of hours: 07771 934629
E-mail: pressoffice@teach-tta.gov.uk

General TTA enquiries
Tel : 020 7925 3700
Prospective applicants to Initial Teacher Training should visit the TTA website, www.canteach.gov.uk or contact the Teaching Information Line: 0845 600 0991.