11 January 2002
Set out in a speech by Education Secretary Estelle Morris last week, the 'remodelling' plans are the latest phase of the government's reform of the education system.
Speaking at the North of England education conference on January 4, Morris said 30 primary and secondary schools would be selected to help transform the teaching profession.
As well as professional support for the head teachers who have to tackle the problems of teacher workloads, teachers in the pilot schools will be given a laptop computer each, extra support staff and guaranteed time out of the classroom to prepare lessons for pupils.
Morris said: 'We know that we cannot transform the teaching profession overnight – we must engage in an informed debate on the future of our schools. Teachers are the best trained people in school and it is wrong to be using their time and expertise in tasks that could be done more effectively by other people.'
The Local Government Association said it was keen to be involved in the changes. Education chair Graham Lane said local and central government had to work together to raise school standards and morale. And he said the changes would have to be introduced 'sooner rather than later'.
He added: 'Local government will be exploring ways of expanding the 30 pilots so that evidence on the new ways of working can be achieved sooner. We have to rethink the way our teachers and support staff work and ensure that teachers have the resources and support to educate children to the highest standards.'
The pilots are due to be up and running by September although the Department for Education and Skills has yet to work out how the schools will be chosen.
Morris, keen to avert a damaging dispute over classroom assistants' pay, has conceded that government plans to increase the number of assistants in classrooms will not result in fewer teachers.
PFjan2002
