Is the local graduate training initiative for secondary teachers is validated by the UK authorities if this is not the case, does it restricts graduates to teaching only in Jersey

3.4   Deputy G.P. Southern of the Minister for Education, Sport and Culture regarding the local graduate training initiative for secondary teachers:

Will the Minister state whether the local graduate training initiative for secondary teachers is validated by the U.K. authorities and, if this is not the case, advise whether it, therefore, restricts graduates to teaching only in Jersey?

Deputy J.G. Reed of St. Ouen (The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture):

The graduate teacher training programme has been developed in conjunction with the Institute of Education at London University and mirrors that offered in the U.K. The word of the Jersey Qualified Teacher Status is designed to enable locally qualified graduates to teach in Jersey secondary schools and 2 senior and very experienced lecturers from Goldsmith College, University of London, will oversee delivery of the programme.  Due to English law, locally qualified teachers trained in this way are not able to automatically teach  in the U.K. as graduates who wish to attain English

qualified teacher status must undertake training in English maintained schools. It is

for this reason that the U.K. authorities are unable to validate this initiative. It is, however, possible for those achieving the Jersey Qualified Teacher Status to access conversion training in the U.K. if individuals choose to teach elsewhere.

1. Deputy G.P. Southern :

I thank the Minister for his answer.  Is it also true that compared with the U.K. we are training our graduates, as it were, at less cost in that they only receive a grant and not, as in the U.K., payment on the teaching assistance rate?

The Deputy of St. Ouen :

I cannot directly answer that particular question. All I will say is that this particular initiative is designed to enable local qualified graduates with commitments, whether it be family or otherwise, to remain in the Island and achieve the teacher training status which otherwise they would not be able to do.

2. Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:

Given the vast number, for example, of Commonwealth teachers who teach all over the U.K., particularly in places like London, would the Minister outline what would make the Jersey qualification applicable in the U.K.? What would make it applicable and is currently missing at the moment?

The Deputy of St. Ouen :

As I have already said, the qualification mirrors that offered in the U.K. The only stumbling block is English law which does not acknowledge any other training apart from training provided within their school system.

3. Deputy R.G. Le Hérissier:

But how does English law then allow for Commonwealth teachers to operate and to be recruited in vast numbers?

The Deputy of St. Ouen :

I presume that they undertake a teacher training programme such as we are offering within our Island.

4. Deputy M. Tadier of St. Brelade :

The Minister said that the qualification obtained in Jersey would not automatically qualify someone to teach in the U.K. Does he mean that it would not qualify someone, full stop, because it seems that the word "automatically" is superfluous there? But, more importantly, when he talks about a conversion course being available in the U.K., is he simply talking about the P.G.C.E. (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) which is in itself in its own right a one year course? If not, is the conversion course also a year long?

The Deputy of St. Ouen :

First of all I want to make one thing very clear. This scheme is primarily designed to train local people to access local jobs. With that in mind, it is acknowledged that in some instances teachers who qualify under the Jersey Qualified Teacher Status may choose to teach elsewhere at some time in the future. There is a conversion programme that is provided within the U.K. and I am led to believe the time for this conversion period is approximately one school term.

5. Deputy M. Tadier :

Just to clarify then, is the Minister saying that the qualification has been deliberately set up to keep graduates in Jersey to teach?

The Deputy of St. Ouen :

Not at all.

Deputy M. Tadier :

Which is fine if that is the case. It is fine if that is the case.

6. The Deputy of St. Ouen :

I do not know how much clearer I need to make the answer. This is designed primarily to enable local graduates to access local jobs in a properly managed and beneficial way.  If the idea is for local graduates that want to train in England, I would suggest that they would go to England to take and undertake similar training that is provided within the U.K.

7. Deputy G.P. Southern :

Can the Minister assure Members that he has clearly informed all participants on this course that they are receiving an inferior qualification and the not the equivalent of a D.Ed. (Diploma in Education) or Cert.Ed. (Certificate in Education) in the U.K. and do not qualify to teach in the U.K. as of right?

The Deputy of St. Ouen :

I absolutely am frustrated by the question of Deputy Southern . Deputy G.P. Southern :

Has he informed all Members?

The Deputy of St. Ouen :

Because this ... I am not giving way. This is designed specifically to help not hinder local graduates to access local jobs within our secondary schools. [Approbation]  It is not designed to support local people to train elsewhere. We have other mechanisms in place to allow that. Regarding the first question that the Deputy posed, all applicants being considered for this year's course understand that this is a Jersey qualification.