Introduction

The Teacher Training Agency (TTA) was established under the 1994 Education Act with the purpose of improving the quality of teaching, raising standards of teacher education and training, and promoting teaching as a profession, in order to improve the standards of pupils' achievements, and the quality of their education. The Agency is committed to improving teaching quality through initiatives in every area of teachers' professional development, from recruitment, through initial teacher training and induction, to headship.

The TTA is governed by a Board of 12 members, drawn from school, LEA, higher education and other relevant backgrounds. It is committed to taking forward its work in consultation with the teaching profession, teacher trainers, LEAs and others inside and outside education. The Board is supported by a staff drawn from a variety of private and public sector backgrounds, including local authorities and HE. The Chief Executive chairs the agency's senior management group.

Key Achievements in 1996/97

• The introduction of a new funding methodology for Initial Teacher Training (ITT) based on common rates.

  The consolidation of a direct link between the quality of training provided and the allocation of places and funds, through awarding growth to quality providers, despite an overall fall in targets for recruitment into ITT.

• Development to consultation stage of new requirements for all ITT, revised standards for Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the first stage of a national curriculum for ITT.

• Development of the first coherent framework of professional standards and qualifications for teachers at various points in their careers.

• Initiation of a new strategy for teacher supply and recruitment, based on collaboration with key partners inside and outside the education system.

• Completion of the first round of projects funded by our teacher research grants, a key aspect of our efforts to turn teaching into a research based profession.

Plans for 1997/98

Some key plans for the coming year:

• Revised standards for Qualified Teacher Status and the first stage of a national curriculum for ITT, with exemplification and support materials; development work on a National Curriculum for Initial Teacher Training in primary science and secondary English, mathematics, science and Information Technology for all trainees.

• Collection and publication of quantitative data on ITT providers, aimed at helping providers and others take advantage of the increased management and performance information that is available.

• Launch of new employment-based routes to QTS, replacing and enhancing existing schemes for licensed and overseas teachers.

• A study of the effect of providing additional funds, linked to individual NQTs, to provide additional, personalised support during the NQT's induction year.

• Development of national Needs Assessment materials for KS2 teachers in mathematics, science, Design & Technology and literacy, as well as for headteachers.

• Consultation on national standards for SENCOs and development of advice to the Secretary of State on the most appropriate and effective way of training teachers to work with pupils with special educational needs (SEN)

• Publication and implementation of a revised strategic plan for teacher supply and recruitment.

• Introduction of new criteria and procedures for the allocation of TTA INSET funds to providers.

Key Performance Targets

The agency has thus far published two Corporate Plans. Most of the key performance targets from these plans were concerned with the Agency's establishment and the development of basic structures and systems, with the result that they were completed and not carried forward into the following year. However, TTA's Annual Reports show that we achieved or were on target for 98.8% of our targets in 1994­95 and 98.9% in 1995­96.

1997

• Announce allocation for third round of Priority Subject Recruitment Scheme.

• Implement the National Professional Qualification for Headship, to prepare aspiring headteachers for their leadership role.

• Submit initial advice to the Secretary of State on the most appropriate training for teachers of pupils with SEN.

• Conference of teachers to promote the use of research and other evidence to improve teaching and learning.

• Review (annually) operation of Codes governing corporate responsibility, individual conduct and access to information.

• Announce ITT targets for 1998/99 and provisional targets for 1999/2000 and 2000/2001.

1998

• Advise Secretary of State on consultation on ITT national curriculum for primary science, secondary English, mathematics and science.

• Achieve Investors in People standard.

Key Performance Targets

See text above