'The Importance of Teaching' - Schools White Paper November 2010

On November 24th the Government published its Schools White Paper, ‘The Importance of Teaching’, which sets out an ambitious reform programme for the schools system. The overall message of the White Paper is freedom for schools from central government direction, with teachers being placed firmly at the heart of school improvement.

The Paper outlines how the Government intends to raise the prestige of the teaching profession, ensuring the best graduates possible are attracted to teaching jobs. For example, Government intends to cease funding for those graduates with less than a 2:2 degree, whilst increasing the financial incentives offered to those people considering changing profession to enter teaching.

There are plans to develop a national network of Teaching Schools on the model of teaching hospitals to lead the training and professional development of teachers and Headteachers, and to increase the number of National and Local Leaders of Education – Headteachers of excellent schools who commit to working to support other schools.

STEM retains a strong focus, with the White Paper noting that central government will focus support on strategic curriculum subjects, particularly mathematics and the sciences. They will continue to provide additional support for the uptake of these subjects.

You can download the full white paper from the Department for Education website.