Education CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by the Sidney Stringer Academy
1. The quality of candidates applying for School Direct places has been inconsistent and generally weak. Whilst we have made two strong appointments for a salaried English place and a training History place, the overall quality of many of the fields has been weak. This is particularly the case in Maths and Science for which we have not filled either our training or salaried places.
2. The quantity of applications is low. We have advertised through our website, Warwick university website and as part of our partnership with West Coventry schools but we have not received as many applications as we would have liked, particularly in shortage areas such as Maths, English and Science. In addition, places for PE have been highly competitive and easily filled yet there is certainly no shortage of PE teachers in Coventry. I believe there are still issues with a lack of publicity and knowledge nationally regarding this scheme.
3. The administration of the application process has been lengthy and cumbersome. This is the first time that schools have been responsible for selecting students at this initial stage, and many do not meet the requirements needed. It is also lengthy and time-consuming to fully ascertain the level and quality of qualification of international students. In order to ensure a smooth administrative process the school needs to appoint further administrative support, which brings with it associated cost implications.
4. We have worked with Warwick University as our ITT provider. There has been some considerable delay between trainees being approved at school level and them then being approved at university level. Students have been approved at school level and then failed the university literacy and numeracy tests. In addition, due to the slow turnaround time from the university some trainees have secured training places elsewhere. For example it took from March-June for our salaried English trainee to be approved as he had to wait for the next round of skills tests to be scheduled.
5. We have recruited for School Direct places through a partnership with other schools in the west of Coventry. However, it is clear that even within Coventry, schools are not applying the same criteria for trainees when recruiting. For example, some schools are ignoring the three year rule of relevant work experience before appointing salaried places whilst others are applying the rule consistently and as a consequence losing quality students who would in the past have trained along the GTP route. Advice from the DFE has been variable, and depending on whom you ask you can receive a different answer and advice that tells you to be more “flexible” in applying the three year rule.
6. We bid successfully for training places in Maths, English, Science, History and MFL and salaried training places in Maths, English and Science. However despite investing time in the application process we have only appointed to English salaried and History training. We are concerned that this is a similar picture nationally and that there will be a shortage of trainees for the coming year. Indeed, Warwick as one of our ITT providers are not running their PGCE History or English courses next academic year.
Executive Summary
Quality of candidates is inconsistent and often poor.
Quantity of applications is poor.
Time needed for administration of it and the need for appropriate clerical support and funding.
Delay in Universities approving trainees once approved at school level.
Inconsistency between schools in applying criteria eg, three years relevant work experience and the need for more clarity.
Training places unfilled.
July 2013