Teachers train to be masters

OLDHAM teachers are benefiting from an £800,000 programme to help them master their profession.

The borough’s schools are among the first in the country to take part in an initiative to train new teachers to masters degree level.

Newly qualified teachers (NQTs) who started working in local schools this year can enrol for the new Government-funded masters in teaching and learning (MTL).

It is initially only being offered to all NQTs in the North-West’s primaries and secondaries.

The qualification is similar to a master of business administration (MBA) in the business world and aims to increase standards, as well as raise the profile of teaching.

Those taking it will be supported by both an experienced teacher acting as a coach, and a tutor from one of the region’s universities.

A total of 67 teachers in more than 50 Oldham schools are eligible. Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) funding will cover the cost of the programme, the training of coaches and the in-school costs.

The North-West trains and recruits more NQTs than anywhere else in the country and TDA chief executive Graham Holley said: “We want every eligible new teacher in Oldham to take full advantage of the funding available to them and enrol on to the MTL now.

“The qualification is going to help teachers to meet the individual learning needs of every child.”

The news was welcomed by Hardial Hayer, head teacher at Radclyffe School, Chadderton, who said: “I would be more than happy for any member of staff who wanted to do the course. It reinforces good personal development and I would be very supportive.”