Being the Best for Our Children Today

In March (2008) the DCSF launched their development strategy towards the workforce. Although they promised an action plan later in the year, the main blocks have been outlined:

• The launch of a "Transition to Teaching" programme to ensure more professionals from science, technology, engineering and maths enter teaching. Tailored advice will be given to applicants to assist identify whether skills are transferable and to help with transition into teaching.
• The TDA is continuing research into the barriers of teacher recruitment and retention and following their final report (June 2008) will recommend next steps.
• The National Leaders of Education programme (a scheme intended so that strong schools can support weaker schools) will be extended from 120 schools to 500. This will be linked to the National Challenge scheme to ensure no school is below the 30% GCSE pass rate.
• The Future Leaders programme (a leadership development programme aimed at the schools in challenging areas) will continue.
• The NCSL is to radically review all of their provision for current and aspiring leaders to ensure it is the very best provision.
• Masters in Teaching & Learning (MTL) will focus on teachers who have entered the profession in the last five years initially; experienced teachers will be trained to act as coaches; TDA and ASCL will cooperate to develop this.