Support for new trainee FE teachers

Supporting Excellence in Initial Teacher Education

Following an invitation to bid for projects to develop partnerships of initial teacher education (ITE) providers, employers and other organisations, LSIS has funded 16 projects to pilot new models of delivery of initial teacher education that are due to start delivering new FE teacher training programmes from September 2012. 

The overall purpose of these funds was to explore new models of delivering initial teacher education across the FE & Skills sector, and also to support the priority areas of English and Maths, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects.

The project aims to support providers to:

• develop new and sustainable models of delivery of the highest quality standards.
• create efficient models of delivery, maintaining fitness for purpose, with a focus on excellence in teaching and learning.
• develop ITE provision that is attractive and affordable to new trainees and employers.
• stimulate the creation of new partnerships and increased co-operation between subject associations, employers and providers.

Initial Teacher Education Fee Awards Scheme

Individual trainees are being offered support through the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Fee Awards scheme, which is run by LSIS on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). The scheme offers £1,500 towards the fees of those training to teach basic maths/numeracy and basic English/literacy (including functional skills) in the FE & Skills sector, and £1,000 towards those training to teach other subjects. To be eligible learners must be undertaking the first year of a higher education institution (HEI)-validated qualification in England, and the awards are made to the organisations delivering the training, on their behalf.  Awarding organisation qualifications are not covered under the scheme. 

A second round of funding will open towards the end of this month.  Funds are limited and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Further information on the ITT Fee Awards is available from the LSIS and Excellence Gateway. You can also email the FE Advice service  or call 0300 303 1877 (lines are open Monday to Friday 9am till 1pm, and 2pm till 5pm (calls are charged at local rates).