£81 million given to prepare teachers to deliver Diplomas
Schools Minister, Jim Knight, announced £81 million of additional funding to prepare teachers to deliver the new Diploma.
The package for 2008-09 follows funding to train those who will be delivering the Diploma this September. Diplomas are being offered for the first time in September in a small group of schools and colleges and will eventually be available across the country. The package will ensure that teachers and leaders in secondary schools and colleges are fully trained to teach the qualification as it continues to be rolled out.
In 2008-09 the funding will provide:
- two core workshops for all Diploma practitioners
- 3,000 days of optional training for Diploma teachers and heads of qualification
- training for 3,000 functional skills teachers
- 1,800 days of leadership support – consultants will help schools and colleges run their consortia for running the Diploma; and
- 3,600 coaching sessions for leaders and managers.
Speaking at the Association of School and College Leaders/ Association of Colleges 14-19 conference, Jim Knight said:
“The success of the changes will be down to how they are delivered and presented to young people. This can only be done by teachers on the ground and we are relying on them to make this work. This is why I’m announcing £81 million to help prepare teachers for the new Diploma.”