DfEE Green Paper (22/10/1997) - Initial teacher training (ITT) and induction

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6 Developing skills

Initial teacher training (ITT) and induction

5. We have announced new standards which all trainee teachers will be expected to reach in order to qualify. These include standards in special needs training which mean that all newly qualified teachers (NQTs) will:

understand their responsibilities under the Code of Practice;
be capable of identifying children with special educational needs;
be able to differentiate teaching practice appropriately.

The TTA is encouraging the development of initial teacher training courses which, while meeting our new requirements for all ITT courses, contain a greater emphasis on SEN. Best practice in training new teachers to teach children with SEN will be disseminated to ITT providers more widely. In addition, the new employment based routes leading to Qualified Teacher Status allow trainee teachers to gain experience in special schools if they wish.

6. The introduction of a supported induction year, announced in Excellence in schools, will allow newly qualified teachers to consolidate their skills in relation to the standards for NQTs, and to identify further development needs. SENCOs will have an important role in providing specialist support to new teachers during their first year.

31/08/2000