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Government invites bidders for new ‘innovative’ teacher training fund

The government is inviting bidders to apply for new funding to develop “innovative approaches” to initial teacher training.

Education secretary Justine Greening announced the plans in March to ensure, she said, that “high-quality new teachers reach schools and areas that need them most”.

She did not say how much cash was up for grabs, but successful bidders will be handed three-year certainty in training allocations from 2018 – currently only awarded to the best-performing teacher training organisations.

The fund is open to school-led and university providers, or bids that involve a partnership between the two.

It’s the latest move by the government to address teacher shortages, particularly in challenging areas.

School Workforce Census figures published earlier this month show the number of new teachers entering the profession in England has dropped to its lowest rate in five years.

Meanwhile, the number of secondary schools with at least one advertised vacancy or temporary-filled post rose from 23 per cent in 2015, to 27 per cent last year.

The government said bidders should focus on improving trainee recruitment and teacher supply in schools, areas and subjects “which need this the most”.

Those interested in applying have to submit an expression of interest form by Monday, July 17. Click here to submit a bid.

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One comment

  1. James Mook

    Parties have 8 working days in which to submit bid. 8 WORKING DAYS. The DfE seems to think that this is not the busiest time of the year for ITT.

    Interesting how part 2 of the bid is to be submitted at the end of in August – is this a move to minimise the work of school-led providers?