Teachers who fail induction face ban

NEWLY QUALIFIED teachers who fail to meet new national standards after a year will be sacked within 10 days and effectively barred for life from working in English state schools. New teachers will be inspected in the classroom every six weeks as part of an "induction year" for staff which comes into force today.

Teachers will have their performance reviewed by senior staff every half term and face formal appraisals by headteachers every term. The assessments will include written reports about classroom skills and measures of exam performance, according to guidelines published yesterday.

Teachers who fail cannot repeat their induction year, and so cannot be registered as a state school teacher, although trainees will have a right of appeal against the decision.

Estelle Morris, the Education minister, said: "By giving new teachers the support and time to develop their skills we will raise the standards of those entering the profession. I expect most teachers to complete the induction period successfully but those who do not will not be eligible to teach in our schools."

The 12-month induction replaces the "probationary year", abolished in 1991. At present there is no formal assistance for staff after training college.

All new teachers will have an experienced teacher to act as a tutor and will be given about three hours a week for on-the-job training. Failing schools will need permission to take on newly qualified staff.

Nigel de Gruchy, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers, welcomed the new measures, but said it was unfair to judge teachers by exam results so early in their career.