Archived decisions

Contact: Clive Erricker - County Inspector - RE (02392 441459)

1. Summary

1.1 This report presents a new initiative by the DfES (Department for Education and Skills) to increase recruitment into secondary religious education by offering a financial incentive to newly recruited teachers.

1.2 This paper supports Aim 1 of the Corporate Strategy (maximising life opportunities) through the improvement of curriculum provision in religious education.

2. Background

2.1 Recruitment of new teachers into religious education. There is a national and local shortage of graduates training to become teachers of religious education. The DfES (Department for Education and Skills) has responded to this shortage by approving further financial incentives to aid recruitment of the best graduates. These incentives also extend to maths, science, design and technology, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), English (including drama), modern languages and music

2.2 Trainee RE specialist secondary teachers will now receive a £9,000 bursary and a £2,500 Golden Hello, when they enter the profession. Previously the incentive offered has been a £6,000 bursary and no Golden Hello

2.3 The new incentives will apply to trainees starting in September 2006

2.4 These incentives should improve recruitment of RE specialist teachers
in Hampshire secondary schools.

Recommendations

That SACRE ask the local authority to monitor the effect of the new incentives on recruitment of specialist RE teachers to Hampshire secondary schools

Background Papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an informal part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB: The list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act