The Department for Education is seeking “like-minded” teachers to join a group helping it to shape education policy and provide feedback to ministers.
In a new appeal for people to join its Teacher Reference Group, it says it is particularly interested in recruiting those with experience of teaching in challenging contexts, and teachers from ethnic minority groups.
The department also says it wants candidates working in local authority-maintained schools, special schools, alternative provision, and faith and free schools.
Who can apply to the Teacher Reference Group?
To be considered eligible for membership of the Teacher Reference Group, applicants must not hold a DfE public appointment or serve on a current DfE advisory group.
They must also be employed in a teacher role, with a teaching timetable “of at least 60 per cent”. They cannot be on a senior leadership team, and must have the agreement of their headteacher to join the group.
Their school must also be in England, and have a “good” or “outstanding” rating from Ofsted.
For primaries, it must also have:
- At least 75 per cent of eligible Year 1 students meeting the required standard of phonic decoding in the Phonics Screening Check in 2021-22.
- At least 59 per cent of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage 2 in 2021-22.
For secondaries, it must also have:
- At least 45 per cent of students entered for the English Baccalaureate in 2021-22.
- A Progress 8 score of 0 or above in 2021-22.
Full criteria can be found in the DfE’s job advert.
What does the role involve?
The DfE says members will be expected to attend five meetings per year, for which “preparation time will be required”.
Two of these will be full-day meetings at the DfE’s London office, and three will be shorter online meetings towards the end of the school day.
Meeting dates are provided in advance for the full year so that members can arrange appropriate cover.
Although it is an unpaid post, travel and supply costs can be reimbursed.
The DfE says the group does not have the power to veto policy decisions but instead contributes views and provides feedback to ministers and officials on these decisions.
