Getting the right people to be teachers and lecturers
In 2007 the McKinsey report, How the world's best-performing school systems come out on top, compared successful education systems from across the world to identify the factors most likely to provide the best education. Not surprisingly the Report's key finding was that:
'Above all, the top performing systems demonstrate that quality of an education system depends ultimately on the quality of its teachers.'
The number and quality of teachers and lecturers recruited to train to teach STEM subjects plays a significant role in the success of students. As learners progress they require specialist knowledge to challenge them.
The Training and Development Agency is the body responsible for the training and development of the school workforce. They have undertaken a number of approaches to stimulating recruitment of STEM teachers and lecturers, including the 'Transition to Teaching' programme. Designed in partnership with employers, this programme promotes a new career in teaching to employees who are considering a mid to late career change.
Improving the recruitment of teachers and lecturers in shortage subjects Lead Organisation: Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) www.tda.gov.uk