Tough new regulations will be introduced to stop poorly-performing teachers being “recycled” between schools, it emerged today.
For the first time, schools will be given legal powers to find out whether staff applying for new jobs have previously been subjected to official warnings.
Former employers will be required to disclose any disciplinary action taken against teachers over the last two years to give new schools a more comprehensive picture of their ability.
The regulations – being introduced from this September – come amid fears that too many schools allow weak teachers to leave and find new jobs rather than draw attention to their performance.
In the last decade, just 17 staff in England have been officially struck off for incompetence.
But teachers’ leaders insisted that the regulations would treat teachers “worse than criminals” and force some out of the profession altogether.
It was claimed that many long standing teachers with good records could be unfairly branded after being faced by a difficult year group or missing out on necessary support from heads.
Martin Freedman, head of pay and conditions at the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, said: “We think it is grossly unfair and disproportionate to treat teachers more harshly than some offenders whose records are wiped long before two years are up.”
Under the new regulations, school governors will be expected to look into the background of any new teacher applying for a job.
Former schools will be forced to “advise in writing whether or not that member of staff has, in the preceding two years, been the subject” of disciplinary procedures. They must also provide “details of the concerns which gave rise to this, the duration of the proceedings and their outcome”.
Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, said: “Future employers need to know more about the strengths and weaknesses of teachers they are potentially employing.
“Nobody benefits when poor teaching is tolerated. It puts pressure on other teachers and undermines children’s education.”
The changes came as it emerged that the Government was also introducing new regulations to allow state schools in England to hire unqualified staff as teachers.
via Teachers ‘being treated like criminals’ by new job rules – Telegraph.
