Schools Modernisation Programme
| Published: 11th May 2007 18:07 |
TDA steps up support for schools modernisation programme
An eight per cent increase in Government funding will enable the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) to step up its key role in raising standards in schools.
The £770 million grant will enable an extra £60 million to be spent on programmes to secure an effective school workforce, help increase its skills levels and enable schools to modernise.
In announcing the grant, Education Secretary Alan Johnson acknowledged the agency's achievements over the past 12 months.
He added:
"The TDA has a crucial role in driving forward the Government's aim to raise standards and close the social gap in education.
"The extra money announced today recognises the hard work and achievements of the TDA over the past year and will ensure that its key modernisation work continues, benefiting more pupils, staff and schools."
TDA Chief Executive Graham Holley said:
"This grant ensures that we shall be able to fully support the drive to modernise schools as well as allocate more money towards recruiting teachers in key areas and improving their training.
"There is a great deal of important work to do in conjunction with training providers, local authorities, trades unions and other organisations. The Government's grant demonstrates Ministers' confidence in the TDA to deliver that work."
Among the TDA's key allocations for the financial year 2007-08 are:
- £590 million on funding and improving initial teacher training (ITT), representing an above inflation five per cent increase for training providers, expansion of initiatives to train physics and chemistry teachers, and opportunities for undergraduates to gain experience of school teaching. [There will also be a review of financial incentives for trainee teachers.]
- £64 million to continue to support the development of the extended services in schools, developing and training parent support advisors (PSAs), and the national rollout of Targeted Youth Support. The money also includes £19 million for local authorities to be spent on modernising the school workforce.
- £32.5 million to help support staff improve their knowledge and skills, including programmes to train and assess specialisms and new roles, support staff training and delivery and funding for training and qualifications.
- £29 million to help teachers improve their own knowledge and skills, including subsidising master levels courses, helping former teachers to return to the classroom, and taking forward national priorities for continuing professional development; a further £14 million will be spent on work on performance management and related issues.
The TDA's administration costs will be held at three per cent of its budget despite its expanded remit. The money includes initial costs for its proposed re-location to Manchester by 2010.
