Variations in meeting induction standard

Yn disgwyl cael ei gyfieithu

17 February 2009

The General Teaching Council for Wales (GTCW) has today released figures which highlight the factors affecting the time taken by newly qualified teachers (NQTs) to complete the statutory Induction period. The figures show that the time taken to complete Induction varies widely depending on whether they are a primary or secondary teacher, their subject and their qualifications.

The Induction year is a one year programme of professional development, which all NQTs must successfully complete in order to carry on teaching in a state school. Of the first cohort of 1,264 registered teachers who have met the Induction standard – 857 completed their induction in one year with the remaining 407 taking longer.

Those who trained as secondary school teachers were more likely to complete their Induction more quickly than those trained at primary level. 83% who were secondary trained completed their Induction within one year compared to only 52% who were primary trained.

“The GTCW is in a unique position to report on the time taken to complete Induction as the Council confirms the award of QTS to new teachers, maintains the register of qualified teachers and collects the Induction results from LEAs,” commented deputy chief executive of the GTCW, Hayden Llewellyn. “The research highlights there are a number of variables that affect the length taken to complete Induction and around a third of new teachers are taking longer than a year to complete Induction.”

The research also shows that the type of qualification studied has a bearing on how quickly Induction is completed. Those following a PGCE complete their Induction more quickly than those who follow a BEd, with 76% of those studying a PGCE completing the standard within a year compared to just 51% of those who followed a BEd or similar.

Figures revealed there is some variation in the time taken to meet the Induction standard depending on the subject in which a teacher is trained. The majority of secondary teachers in shortage subjects, completed their Induction within a year, suggesting that the ease with which NQTs find a job is having an impact on their ability to complete Induction. 97% of those trained in combined science and in English met the standard in one year. Teachers in other non-shortage subjects, such as art and drama, took longer to complete the Induction period.

Despite three quarters of those who gain qualified teacher status being female, more male registered teachers (77%) meet Induction within one year compared to 65% of female teachers.

There is also a level of variation in the time taken to meet the Induction standard dependent on the higher education institution where a teacher trained.Hayden Llewellyn concluded: “Clearly more research is required to assess the barriers to completing Induction and what can be done to alleviate or remove them. GTCW will be writing to the Assembly Minister with these results.”