Member

We do not want the requirement for QTS to hold up schools’ recruitment processes, so we are updating regulations to clarify that schools will still be able to recruit an unqualified teacher, and that these teachers will have three terms to secure a place on an appropriate route to QTS. While I recognise the challenges around teacher recruitment that we have inherited, the solution should not be to embed lower standards for shortage subjects in primary legislation. I recognise the challenge made by noble Lords, “Wouldn’t you prefer a properly qualified teacher to an unqualified teacher?” I do not accept the defeatism of those who suggest that the only way to put good teachers in front of our children is to remove, water down or reduce the professional training that we expect of them.