WITH the teacher shortage hitting hard in Suffolk, some schools have flown in staff from as far away as South Africa.But now the local education authority is preparing to take a different approach – and train dozens of new teachers in their own home area.

WITH the teacher shortage hitting hard in Suffolk, some schools have flown in staff from as far away as South Africa.

But now the local education authority is preparing to take a different approach – and train dozens of new teachers in their own home area.

A new scheme to train high school teachers in Suffolk and Norfolk will

get under way next year, thanks to a partnership between Suffolk and Norfolk

LEAs, Suffolk College and local schools.

Recruits will be able to earn a training salary of £6,000, paid in monthly instalments, as well as having their tuition fees paid for them.

"I am delighted that we have been given the go-ahead to run this scheme," said Bryony Rudkin, member of Suffolk County Council's executive committee with responsibility for children and young people.

She said the partnership between 24 schools in Suffolk, Suffolk College and the two LEAs would have benefits for the whole community, and contribute to the pool of teachers available for local schools.

"The scheme will provide teacher training opportunities for people who may not have had this opportunity before – encouraging more people into this profession is an important priority for us."

Applications are now being accepted for the Secondary School Centred Initial Teacher Training (Secondary SCITT) scheme for the two counties, which has just won approval from the Teacher Training Agency.

It will provide school-based teacher training for people who want to teach in the age range 11-18 years, and who would find it difficult to travel out of the area to attend a college-based training course.

There will be 32 places on the Suffolk and Norfolk scheme, which will start

in September 2002, and include 30 weeks of classroom experience.

The scheme is a one year course leading to Qualified Teacher Status and a

Post-Graduate Certificate of Education. Trainees will be prepared to teach

one of six subjects – English, science, modern languages, PE, design and

technology and ICT.

All the trainees on the course must have a degree, but may come from a variety of backgrounds, for example people changing careers.

It is hoped to attract more men, and people from ethnic minorities into teaching.

Suffolk LEA already runs a primary SCITT scheme, involving 32 partner schools, mainly in the southern and western areas of the county.

All the first 28 trainees to complete the course have found employment,

with 24 being employed in Suffolk schools.

If you are interested in finding out more about teacher training, telephone for an information pack on 01473 584565.

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