Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 49
49
Accepted
Paragraph: 202
Prioritise upskilling teachers as a mitigation strategy for subjects experiencing persistent shortages.
Conclusion
Upskilling should be used as a mitigation across subjects experiencing teacher shortages. For subjects such as Maths, a compulsory subject that has experienced persistent shortages in teacher supply it is even more pertinent that mitigations such as upskilling are used to manage teacher shortages.
Government Response Summary
The government highlights its existing Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) programme, which is available for ITT applicants in mathematics and other shortage subjects. It also points to the Maths Hubs programme, which provides school-to-school support and training for current maths teachers.
Paragraph Reference:
202
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The current Subject Knowledge Enhancement (SKE) programme is available to support applicants who have a conditional offer of a place on an ITT programme leading to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). SKE is a course designed to enhance the subject knowledge of prospective teacher trainees in their chosen ITT subject. They might not have a relevant degree in the subject they want to teach or have a degree obtained more than five academic years before. SKE is currently available in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computing, and languages. High and rising school standards are at the heart of the government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. The government’s ambition is for a curriculum that delivers excellent foundations in reading, writing and maths, and ensures every young person gets the opportunity to develop creative, digital, and speaking and listening skills particularly prized by employers. The government has made a manifesto commitment to improve the quality of maths teaching across nurseries and primary schools, learning from the success of phonics. The Department funds the Maths Hubs programme, which is supported by the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics. Local Maths Hubs provide school-to-school support focussed on maths subject knowledge and pedagogy training for teachers.