Rise in unqualified teachers in the North-West

The number of unqualified teachers in the North-West has risen by 34% in the last year.
The number have un-qualified teachers has risen by 34% in the last yearThe number have un-qualified teachers has risen by 34% in the last year
The number have un-qualified teachers has risen by 34% in the last year

The figures, released in the Government’s School Workforce in England November 2013 report, shows that the number of unqualified teachers increased by 320 from 2012 to 2013.

Only Yorkshire and the Humber region saw a bigger increase.

There are now 17,100 unqualified teachers in classrooms across the country, including 1,250 in the North-West.

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Burnley’s Labour parliamentary candidate and former teacher, Julie Cooper, said the numbers were threatening standards in schools.

She said: “As a parent, teacher and experienced school governor I am very concerned that the decision to allow unqualified teachers to be permanently employed in schools is seriously affecting standards in schools and damaging the life opportunities of our children. All the evidence shows that high quality teaching is the single most important factor when it comes to raising school standards. It is totally unacceptable in my view that an increasing number of local children are being taught by unqualified teachers and it is shocking that entry requirements for potential teachers are among the lowest in the world.”

The Government relaxed the rules in 2012 on who schools could hire to teach.

The NASUWT union believes the changes mean less-qualified people are being put in charge of classes – and are being paid less than teachers.

Labour has said it would reverse the unqualified teacher policy.