POLITEA REPORT

9 July 2007

Commenting on the claims in the report Teaching Matters by the think tank Politea Steve Sinnott, General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, Britain’s largest teaching union said:

“It is an unduly negative report that raises questions over the quality of staff whose skills are already regularly assessed by OFSTED and are required to pass the Qualified Teachers Skills tests in numeracy, literacy and IT before being able to finish training as a teacher. The quality of the staff teaching in our schools today is some of the best we have ever had.

“However teaching in schools by unqualified staff is an issue that has raised concern. What is now required is a review of the present arrangements to ensure that all pupils are taught by a fully qualified teacher, supported by teaching assistants who are valued and respected”.