Teaching assistant training cut as Teach First expands
Joe Lepper
Monday, July 5, 2010
Training for teaching assistants has been cut as Education Secretary Michael Gove announces plans to expand the Teach First programme, which targets top graduates for teaching posts in struggling schools.
The Training Development Agency (TDA) has revealed that the budget for training higher level teaching assistants (HLTA) has been cancelled for the next academic year.
Public sector union Unison has reacted angrily to the cuts in teaching assistant training.
Christina McAnea, Unison head of education, said: "The government is playing fast and loose with children's educational needs. What schools desperately need is more teaching assistants trained to HLTA level. Now they are being told there is no money available."
She added that such training was crucial as teaching assistants are increasingly being called on by schools to cover for absent teachers.
A spokesperson for the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) said: "We wrote to local authorities last week to notify them of changes to the local authority grant structure for 2010-2011.
"People will still be able to gain HLTA status but the funding for training and preparation will need to be provided by the local authority from other sources. Alternatively, schools or individuals can continue to fund the training and preparation themselves.
"Where financially viable, we will continue to support funding for HLTA assessments for those candidates currently registered for assessment. We are in contact with local authorities and stakeholders about arrangements for other candidates who have started their training and preparation."
Meanwhile, Gove has announced that a £4m grant has been handed to Teach First, the charity that targets high-performing graduates, to expand its reach.
Teach First will develop a primary school recruitment programme in addition to its work in secondary schools. It will also boost its Teach On programme, which aims to help those teachers it has supported to become headteachers and take other senior school posts.
Teach First will also carry out research to find ways to attract more top maths and science graduates into the profession.
Gove said: "The quality of teachers has a greater influence on children's achievement than any other aspect of their education."
