“Discriminatory” superteacher scheme, under fire from unions, fails to draw in students. Karen Thornton reports
GOVERNMENT plans for an elite force of superteachers appear to be in trouble as just 110 recruits started fast-track training this term.
Less than a year ago, universities predicted 300 top graduates would be recruited to the programme designed to identify high-fliers for fast-tracking to leadership positions in schools.
The low take-up comes amid warnings from teacher unions that the scheme could discriminate against women and undermine employment rights.
The Department for Education and Skills insists recruitment “is done against standards and not to quota”. But it has dropped plans for assessors to visit universities to check on students.
Instead, universities will notify the DFES if they have serious concerns about students. Some tutors and unions are concerned trainees may be resented by their new colleagues when they start taking up posts in schools (see story right).
Michael Totterdell, acting dean of initial teacher education at the Institute of Education, London University, said: “They could be greeted with anything from scepticism to downright hostility. I’m concerned their ambition, drive and rich ideas might become stymied if they hit obstacles in terms of professional attitudes in schools.”
Serving teachers expecting to apply for fast-track from this term will have to wait until November 5 to get their applications in. Civil servants are still working on new regulations setting out how the scheme will work and what criteria qualified teachers will have to meet.
Unions say proposals requiring fast-trackers to change schools every two years will rob them of the security of permanent employment.
“There are going to be risks for people involved who get pregnant or sick towards the end of a fixed-term contract. It’s a really dreadful scheme,” said Tony Meredith, from the Association of Teachers and Lecturers.
The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers said it could also discriminate against disabled teachers who need adaptations made to their work place.
“If this proves to be the case then the scheme is indirectly discriminatory and thus unlawful,” it has told the DFES.
TRAINING NUMBERS
Bath Spa 12
Brighton 5
CambridgeHomerton College 24
Canterbury Christ Church 5
Durham 18
Oxford 10
Institute of Education, London 24
Manchester Metropolitan 11
Warwick 1
Total 110
