“New challenges, new chances -Further Education and Skills System Reform Plan: Building a World Class Skills System”

BIS announced a number of actions to develop and promote excellent teaching. The paper highlights the need for a professional workforce, and that outstanding teaching and learning depends on the quality of teachers and trainers, their specialist skills and how they are supported.

BIS has announced a number of key actions aimed at ensuring excellence in teaching and learning in the Further Education and Skills system, and that we have world-class teachers and trainers. LSIS has been commissioned to work with the sector on this, providing development funding for new models of delivery of initial teacher education (ITE).

The call to action

In early 2012 LSIS will be publishing guidance documentation for Initial Teacher Education (ITE) providers to apply to the first phase of a development fund for the sector to explore new models of delivering Initial Teacher Education. Priority areas include English and Maths and STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

The main purpose of these projects is to set up new sustainable models of delivery of ITE which will:

• support providers to develop new models for ITE within the highest quality standards;
• creates efficient models for ITE, while maintaining fitness for purpose; with a focus on creating excellence in teaching and learning; and 
• develops ITE provision which is attractive and affordable to new trainees and employers.

Applications which create new partnerships would be particularly welcome (e.g. between industry/FE and Skills providers/HE Institutions/ professional and learned bodies etc.) as would projects which address equality and diversity issues across the Learning and Skills sector.

Phase 1 projects will be expected to demonstrate that they will be working within the new arrangements for funding of provision, and the new arrangements for student loans for trainees (where applicable), proposed for 2012/13.

In addition to the above, LSIS will be looking for:

• a spread of projects across different Government Office Regions in England,
• projects that address the distinct needs of different parts of the Learning and Skills landscape*
• projects which address subject priorities; Maths, English and the range of STEM subject

The aim of these projects is to develop effective and efficient methods of delivery of ITE for the future.  Projects which principally use funds as subsidies for trainees will not be considered.

Full bidding guidance for the Phase one project opportunities will be available in early 2012 together with arrangements for support for potential bidders. Phase two will be announced later in the year.

*This does not include training programmes for staff in sixth form colleges who are trained through DfE/TDA routes.