A Level Grants Programme to Boost Maths and Physics Teacher Recruitment

Tender description

It is a DfE priority to develop a great workforce with strong leadership. This programme specifically contributes to this priority by increasing the number of specialist maths and physics teachers in the classroom. On the 8 December 2014 the Prime Minister announced a five year commitment to fund a package of policies to address the shortfall in STEM teachers. The A level Grants Programme is part of the wider package of initiatives and will be a prestigious new scheme to encourage high quality A level students to select maths and physics related degrees and go into teaching, at a time when we can influence both their choice of degree and career. We will be looking for students with a clear commitment to teaching and a strong academic record in their chosen subject. In return students will receive financial support while studying toward their undergraduate maths or physics related degree, gain school experience and begin their training while still at university. Students are then guaranteed a place on on-the-job teacher training, subject to completing their studies and meeting the entry requirements for Initial Teacher Training (ITT). No other route into teaching offers financial support and the chance to earn a salary in their training year. This programme presents an opportunity to engage with and recruit high quality A level maths and physics students, to develop them into outstanding teachers who will be retained in the profession and will have a positive impact on children and young people. To deliver the high quality programme by the proposed options, it is necessary to combine outstanding recruitment, development of additional undergraduate level training with the very best of the expertise in the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) sector. The programme is also aligned to other teacher training routes in terms of selection and recruitment to ensure parity.