To support this, the government today announced that it
is introducing a new approach to assessing the numeracy
and literacy of prospective teachers, which will
replace the existing skills tests.
The current skills tests will be replaced with a new
system where trainees will be assured against a set of
fundamental maths and English skills by the end of
their initial teacher training.
This approach will allow universities and schools to
better identify the individual needs of each trainee
and offer them extra support to strengthen their skills
where needed.
This decision was taken following a review of the
skills test and after engaging with universities,
schools, candidates, teachers and representative
bodies. This review found that these tests do not
provide appropriate assurance of the maths and English
skills of teacher trainees.
Over the coming months, the Department for Education
(DfE)
will work with the Standards and Testing Agency and
teacher training providers to develop new guidance on
the fundamental maths and English skills for teachers.
James Nobel-Rodgers, Executive Director of the
Universities Council for the Education of Teachers
(UCET)
and Emma Hollis, Executive Director of the National
Association of School-Based Teacher Trainers
(NASBTT)
said:
UCET and NASBTT wholeheartedly
welcome the news that the skills test will be
replaced. We know that our members find it
ineffective as a measure of literacy and numeracy,
and logistically burdensome – not to mention the
impact on the candidates themselves. We support the
decision to replace it, and look forward to working
with the Department of Education and others to design
an alternative approach that more accurately reflects
the skills that teachers need in today’s classrooms.
Million Plus, the Association for Modern Universities
in the UK said:
Today’s announcement is a hugely positive step for
teacher education. Ending arbitrary testing, which is
a very real barrier to recruitment, will encourage
more capable candidates to undertake teacher
education and should result in a much-needed increase
in high-quality teachers across England. We have been
working with the DfE to ensure
that, as a result of this change, not only will the
standards of literacy and numeracy be maintained they
should actually improve, as the standards will be
linked to the demands of modern teaching. MillionPlus
has long called for reform to the skills tests system
so we are very pleased that the DfE has made
this step today, a policy reform that will help
support and strengthen the profession.
A more detailed announcement on the implementation of
this approach will be made in September
when DfE publishes
interim guidance.
Read the written
ministerial statement from The Rt Hon Nick Gibb MP,
Minister of State for School Standards.
