Gove targets failing teachers in review

Tougher new checks to help schools tackle poor teaching standards were announced by Education Secretary Michael Gove yesterday.

He ordered a review of the standards by which teachers are judged to concentrate more on their ability to control the classroom and improve pupil performance.

Mr Gove said only 1.5 per cent of those who applied to train failed to make it into the classroom. "Headteachers and teachers have told me in no uncertain terms that the current teachers' standards are ineffective, meaningless and muddy, fluffy concepts," he said.