million+ reacts to government Carter Review of initial teacher training

The Carter Review of Initial Teacher Training, which was commissioned by former education secretary Michael Gove, recommended that the “effectiveness” of mandatory literacy and numeracy tests in selecting high quality trainees should be reviewed.

Vice-Chancellor of Staffordshire University and Chair of the million+ think tank, Professor Michael Gunn welcomed the suggestion but expressed his disappointment that the Government was “not progressing this”.

He added:

“The tests have acted as a barrier to otherwise well-qualified candidates entering training and take no account of prior qualifications or learning on teacher education courses.”

Professor Gunn also raised concerns about another of the recommendations; that the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) - one the main academic qualifications offered to students - should be “optional” to qualifying as a teacher.

The implication, he said that “the PGCE should be regarded as an ‘optional extra’ flies in the face of the evidence of high performing countries like Finland”.

The review also focussed on diversity of provision within the field, with Sir Andrew Carter in his forward stating that whilst some had seen it as challenge it was “probably a strength of the system”.

Commenting on the role of both schools and universities in the delivery of teacher training, Sir Andrew wrote: “partnership is the key”.

“Sometimes universities will take the lead, sometimes and increasingly, it will be the schools that lead the way. However, neither can do it alone and our review has made recommendations that emphasise the strength of working together within a system that is increasingly school led,” he added.

However, Professor Gunn questioned this approach, saying: “the implication that high quality teacher education is not linked to whether that provision is led by schools or universities is misleading when universities deliver high quality Initial Teacher Training and underpin national and regional teacher supply.”

Professor Gunn went on to call on the next government to “make a clear commitment to university-led teacher education provision and to a teaching profession where professional and academic qualifications and professional development become the norm.”