The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) today welcomed Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s speech on education. The TDA’s  Chief Executive, Graham Holley, said:

“A world-class education for our pupils requires world class teachers.  We have marvellous teachers already, and Ofsted recognises the new teachers now coming on stream as being the best ever.  The future is very exciting.  But we can do more to accelerate that progress and we can learn from other successful parts of the world. 

“The TDA will work with the Government to help the next generation of teachers achieve the highest professionally-recognised standards and to bring world-class standards into the classroom. We will help further to raise the status of teaching so that it matches that of the most highly-regarded professions.  Teaching is already a top graduate choice and we can build on that.

“We look forward to contributing to meeting the Prime Minister’s exciting challenge by working with the Department for Children, Schools and Families in developing the Children’s Plan, which will set out the Government’s ten year vision.”

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Notes to editors

This news release applies to England only.

Teaching enquiries

For more information about how to become a teacher, see www.teach.gov.uk.

Personal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 - 992 for Welsh speakers; minicom 0117 915 8161.

From 1 September 2007 a newly qualified teacher (NQT) will start on a salary of at least £20,133 (£24,168 in inner London). The pay scale for good, experienced classroom teachers who have 'crossed the threshold' rises to £34,281 outside London and £41,004 in inner London. Additional allowances may be paid to teachers considered to be excellent, and to those who take on management and other responsibilities. The pay scale for head teachers can rise to more than £90,000 depending on size of school. Further details are available at www.teach.gov.uk/payandbenefits.

Eligible trainees on secondary postgraduate initial teacher training (ITT) courses in England are entitled to a tax-free training bursary worth £6-9,000. Newly qualified teachers with a postgraduate certificate in education (PGCE) in maths and science may also be eligible for a ‘golden hello’ payment worth £5,000 (taxed) after successfully completing their induction period. Those with a PGCE in modern languages, design and technology, information and communications technology, music and religious education may receive £2,500. Details are available on the TDA website at www.teach.gov.uk/funding.

From 1 August 2008, the bursary for trainees starting ITT courses in secondary postgraduate English, dance and drama will be reduced from £9,000 to £6,000 and trainees will not be eligible for a golden hello. The bursary for trainees starting primary postgraduate ITT courses will be reduced from £6,000 to £4,000.

The graduate teacher programme (GTP) enables people to train to become a teacher while employed in a school. Details of employment based routes can be viewed at www.teach.gov.uk/routes.

Support staff enquiries

People interested in finding out more about the roles and further training for support staff should visit www.tda.gov.uk/support.aspx or www.skills4schools.org.uk for more information on career pathways. They can also email enquiries to info@skills4schools.org.uk or contact the Support Staff Enquiry Line on 0845 600 2944.

The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) was established under the Education Act 2005. Its principal aim is to secure an effective school workforce that improves children’s life chances.

Media enquiries

Sally Wiber, Michael Sheen or Mel Garfield at Band & Brown Communications.
Tel: 020 7419 6934 / 8616 / 7312; e-mail: sally@bbpr.com / michael@bbpr.com / mel@bbpr.com

General TDA enquiries

Tel: 0870 4960 123