Evidence on attracting, training and retaining the best teachers

SCORE's Evidence to the Education Select Committee Enquiry on attracting, training and retaining the best teachers

SCORE's response covers the following:

• There is little evidence surrounding the characteristics that make an effective teacher in the sciences (and indeed other subjects). SCORE strongly recommends there is a real commitment from Government to undertake a longitudinal study into the characteristics of an effective teacher. Only through such a proper evidence-informed approach would it be possible to devise strategies for attracting and selecting the most suitable candidates for teaching and appropriately support Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and teachers in service

• There is a known shortage of physics and chemistry teachers. SCORE strongly supports the 6 month Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses for Chemistry and Physics that have helped steadily to address this imbalance.

• Government should work closely with the learned and professional bodies in establishing, and maintaining, standards as part of a drive to support and increase professionalism in teaching and career progression. This should include the use of chartered status.

• Teaching communities and networks play a vital role in supporting effective teachers, particularly in schools in challenging circumstances (e.g. those in deprived areas and/or with a lack of subject specialist teachers). This needs to be recognised by Government through its support of learned and professional bodies in developing communities of practice.