This takes the total number of designated recommending bodies (DRBs) in England - introduced in September 2002 following reforms in the administration of the programme - to 91.

GTP trainees are employed in schools and complete individualised training programmes to prepare for qualified teacher status (QTS).

TTA Director of Funding Michael Day said:

'The graduate teacher programme (GTP) has grown in response to a real need for a school-based training route for graduates and career changers, complementing other teacher training routes.

'Because the GTP is designed for mature candidates, most look to training in schools near their homes, and these extra DRBs will help ensure places are available where there is demand.'

The new DRBs are:

• Bourton Meadow School
• Doncaster GTP Partnership
• East Lincolnshire DRB
• The East Northamptonshire College
• Kent and Medway Training
• Kingsbridge Networked Learning Community
• The Kirklees Partnership
• Loughborough Encompass Partnership
• Mid Essex GTP Consortium
• Stockton-on-Tees LEA
• Surrey LEA Primary DRB
• Thamesmead School

Notes to editors

This new release applies to England only.

Contact details for new and existing DRBs can be found at the related link . General advice on the graduate teacher programme (GTP) is available from the GTP Advice Line 01245 454 444.

The TTA gives an allocation of GTP places to DRBs each year. DRBs award these to individual applicants in line with the way training providers allocate initial teacher training (ITT) places. In December, Ministers announced plans to expand the programme from around 3,400 places in 2002/03 to around 4,750 in 2003/04.

Currently about 600 places are made available through a central allocations pool for organisations that do not work with DRBs. The central pool of places is a two-year transitional arrangement, designed to give schools a continuity of access to GTP places while they adjust to the new system by forming links with DRBs. The central pool of places will end in April 2004. From September 2004, all GTP places will be allocated through DRBs.

In seeking designation, an organisation needs 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.

The review of the GTP was announced on 29 November 2001 (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.

The GTP enables mature trainees 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 towards the cost of employing the trainee and funds training costs. Some places are offered on the basis of training grants only, where schools are able to meet trainees' salary costs.

The teacher training agency (TTA) 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: 020 7023 8080
Out of hours: 07771 934629
e-mail: pressoffice@teach-tta.gov.uk

General TTA enquiries

0870 496 0123

People interested in becoming a teacher should visit the TTA recruitment Website Teach, or contact the Teaching Information Line (tel: 0845 600 0991 - 0992 for Welsh speakers).