Review of FE teacher qualifications announced

Teacher training qualifications within the Further Education (FE) & Skills sector are going to be simplified under a new review.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has asked the Learning and Skills improvement Service (LSIS) to conduct the project.

The review, which is now underway, is ahead of the final report from the Lingfield Commission, the independent review of professionalism across the sector chaired by Lord Lingfield. The interim report recommended that there is a review of the existing qualifications. The current system has been criticised for being confusing, and not taking into account previous professional experience, an advantage held by many newcomers to teaching.

LSIS will be setting up a project steering group, which will include BIS and employer membership bodies. The group will receive expert support from an advisory group made up of representatives from higher education institutions, awarding bodies that offer the qualifications and practitioners who deliver the qualifications.

The review will be opened up to the sector to give everyone an opportunity to contribute their thoughts and help shape the future of FE teacher training qualifications. People can contribute at regional meetings, on-line or via a consultation pack. This phase of the review will take place from mid-October to the end of November. LSIS will be providing guidance to awarding organisations in March. Once the review has presented and developed its findings the new qualifications will be introduced from September 2013 onwards.

Helen Pettifor, LSIS’s Executive Director, Improvement Services said: “This significant review will be of great benefit to the sector. LSIS is proud to have been asked to create and develop the review and we are able to draw upon our experience of the FE & Skills sector.  This year we set out our three main priorities, with teaching and learning being the primary one. Being asked to undertake the review demonstrates recognition of LSIS’s work in supporting the sector and our role in the professionalisation of the workforce.”

For further information on how to take part, email the LSIS FE Advice Service or call 0300 3031877.