Review of Teacher Education in Scotland (Donaldson Review)
National Implementation Board:
The work of the National Implementation Board
National Partnership Group report 6 November 2012
Voice Scotland welcomes teacher education report
Voice: the union for education professionals has welcomed the publication of the National Partnership Group’s Report on teacher education in Scotland.
Senior Professional Officer Jennifer Hannah said:
“Following our initial response on the Review of Teacher Education in Scotland, we are particularly pleased by the emphasis within the report on partnership working, to help ensure that the best use is made of the educational opportunities to be developed.
“Creating better links between schools and the teacher education institutions is necessary and would benefit new entrants to the profession.
“We are pleased that at least some Masters funding is being made available, initially to those who had partly completed the Chartered Teacher programme. However, it is unfortunate that the Chartered Teacher Scheme was scrapped outright, rather than reviewed, as was recommended in Graham Donaldson’s report.
“We will press for the National Implementation Board to financially recognise our Masters-level teachers, reinstating a ‘classroom career path’ as an alternative to progression to a management position.
“The emphasis on continuing professional development is very important in career development. It is hoped that the necessary resources will be made available to enable the aspirations for teacher learning to be fully realised, ensuring the best trained teachers for all our pupils.
“Voice will pursue every opportunity to influence the implementation agenda as it moves forward.”
Further information:
Scottish Government: Masters of teaching
Engage for Education Blogs: Teachers and Leadership
Contacts:
Voice Scotland
Email: scotland@voicetheunion.org.uk
Have your say:
Review of Teacher Education in Scotland
9 March 2011:
Voice Senior Professional Officer (Scotland) Maureen Laing said:
"We are pleased that the Government has accepted the recommendations of the Donaldson Review and welcome the establishment of the partnership group.
"We look forward to participating in the forthcoming discussions to take forward the development of teacher education in Scotland."
Contacts:
Voice Scotland
Email: scotland@voicetheunion.org.uk
13 January 2011:
On 13 January 2011, Graham Donaldson published his report, Teaching Scotland’s Future, setting out the findings of his Review of Teacher Education in Scotland. The Review commenced in February 2010.
Commenting on the Review, Senior Professional Officer (Scotland) Maureen Laing said:
"Voice welcomes the publication of the Donaldson Review on Teacher Education, which highlights the very strong foundation of teacher education in Scotland that can be built on in a number of ways.
“The emphasis on continuing professional development is seen as very important in career development.
“The suggestions for initial teacher education are also welcomed, and Voice looks forward to examining the specific proposals in due course.
“The proposals for local authority control over entry into the Chartered Teacher Programme are a move away from general access by experienced teachers and may prove a barrier to committed teachers.
“Creating better links, in particular, between schools and the teacher education institutions, is necessary and would be beneficial.
“As a great strength of the Scottish education system are the qualifications required, Voice would have concerns about the possibility of a 'Teach First' model being adopted in Scotland.
“It is hoped that to implement the various proposals, the necessary resources are made available in order to ensure that at the end of the process we do indeed have the best trained teachers for all our pupils."
Further information
The Review of Teacher Education in Scotland
Teaching Scotland’s Future (pdf)
Scottish Government’s response
Voice’s Official Response to the Review (June 2010)
Contacts:
Voice Scotland
Email: scotland@voicetheunion.org.uk
Voice Press Office
Email: pressoffice@voicetheunion.org.uk