Accelerated leadership plan for star teachers

The plans, outlined by schools minister Jim Knight, are designed to attract more "outstanding" people into a career in teaching.

Trainee teachers who are deemed exceptional will also have the chance to become fully qualified in six months, as opposed to one year.

Knight said: "The Accelerate to Headship programme will mean that people with the potential to be outstanding school leaders will have a route, which allows them to make swift progress and good support in their development."

But teaching unions have reacted angrily to the proposals.

Christine Blower, acting general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, warned that teaching is not a profession that can be picked up "at the drop of a hat".
 
She said: "To bring in an entry route that does not provide a good grounding in theory will not only undermine the status of the profession but will also jeopardise the education of our children and young people."

Philip Parkin, general secretary of the union Voice, accused the government of attempting to grab headlines.

"I am concerned that this is another back-of-an-envelope scheme put together in haste by the Department for Children, Schools and Families at the bidding of Downing Street," he said.

The DCSF plan to launch a consultation into the proposals shortly.