Government announces plans to send 1,500 elite teachers to under-performing schools
Education secretary Nicky Morgan made the announcement in a speech at the Policy Exchange, saying that rural schools and coastal schools will be the focus on the new plans, which will see teachers offered higher salaries, future leadership roles and relocation costs as incentives.
The new scheme has been dubbed the ‘National Teaching Service’ (NTS), and hopes to draw talent from London and other educational hubs to parts of the country that are struggling to find good teachers.
Under the proposed plans, 1,500 teachers expected be deployed across the country by 2020, with schools given the ability to request teachers from the service for a period of up to three years to improve standards. The initial pilot was launched on 03 November, looking to enlist 100 teachers to work in the North West from September 2016.
Announcing the changes, Morgan said: “Over the past five years we’ve extended opportunity to thousands of young people, through raised standards, heightened expectations and a rigour revolution.
“But for all we’ve achieved, too many young people aren’t being given a fair shot to succeed because of where they live. That’s why today I’m announcing the creation of a National Teaching Service – sending some of our best teachers to schools in struggling areas.”
Brett Wigdortz, CEO and Founder of Teach First, said: “We know great teaching and leadership are among the most powerful forces for social change, and for improving children’s life chances.
“Yet challenges persist for pupils from low-income communities, especially in coastal and dispersed areas. We therefore warmly welcome the National Teaching Service and hope it will have a clear focus on attracting and developing talented teachers and leaders in areas where there are the greatest challenges, enabling young people from low-income backgrounds to realise their full potential.
“Every day, teachers and schools across the country are doing incredible work to support their pupils. We look forward to working with the Department for Education to explore how the National Teaching Service can build on this work further, and give more pupils the fair start in life they deserve.”
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