Standard proposed to recognise excellent teachers

The review of teaching standards, led by Sally Coates, principal of Burlington Danes Academy, has recommended that the current system for experienced and higher performing teachers be replaced with a single standard.

The award would be given to those who have a deep understanding of their subject specialisms, going beyond the programmes they teach. Teachers would also have to have gained the respect of both parents and pupils and be highly regarded by colleagues to become known as "master teachers".

Coates said: "The master teacher standard we are proposing takes the standards to a very high level for the most able teachers. It is designed to set out a powerful statement of what it means to be a really excellent teacher, and I am confident that those who can meet the standard will be proud to be known as master teachers."

The government is now considering how the recommendation in the review might be implemented. However, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers has described the report as "woolly" and warned the government against accepting the recommendations.

Martin Johnson, deputy general secretary of the union, said: "The woolly words in the review might make some people feel good, but the new standard is not linked to the pay or assessment of teachers so it's hard to know what it’s meant to do.

"At best teachers will be ambivalent about the term ‘master teacher' which the government was warned would go down with the profession like a lead balloon. Our best hope is that this document will be put away and forgotten, like so much else which is produced by governments when they are not listening to teachers’ representatives."