Letters: Experienced teachers matter

I'm currently in initial teacher training and, while I don't feel I can adequately comment on Michael Gove's white paper and its effect on education in the UK, I have seen first hand how good teaching is largely dependent upon experience within the profession.

I applaud any attempt to attract a diverse and talented selection of people to take up training. Effective teaching occurs when students can find real world applicability in what they learn.

However, my own experience training in schools leaves me in no doubt that it is experience within the profession that separates the good teachers from the adequate. Understanding the daily requirements of teaching and the needs of an increasingly multi-cultural student body is a complex skill that takes years of practice.

Attention must be given not only to attracting dynamic individuals to teaching but also keeping them there. Whether this is best done through continual professional development, financial perks, or in other ways I don't know, but encouragement must come from the government to help more people choose teaching. Without that leadership, the ones who lose the most are the students.

Edward Dickenson, London

Door open to innovation

The schools white paper appears to signal a return to traditional ways, but are we taking a huge backward step at a time when business and community leaders are crying out for citizens capable of driving a 21st century economy?

Despite re-introducing an academic core curriculum in tune with traditional conservative thinking, there is at least some indication that ministers have been listening to school leaders and employers, leaving the door open to curriculum innovation.

There is a long and difficult road ahead, but I am convinced that we can produce young people with the personal skills and knowledge to keep Great Britain competitive in a global marketplace.

This, however, simply will not happen by preparing 16-year-olds to sit a volley of written exams. There are other ways to acknowledge personal development and encourage lifelong learning and I am encouraged there is still space in the new school order to do just that.

Marius Frank, chief executive, Asdan

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