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Learn lessons from the past, teacher training expert says

Posted on 3rd June 2009

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When recruiting new teachers for state and independent schools, course providers need to be aware of the motivation behind the applicant, it has been claimed.

Writing in the Times, Mike Watkins of the Training and Development Agency said course providers should not, like they have in the past, attempt to fill places as quickly as they can.

He said they should choose the very best.

According to the expert, applications are up 50 per cent on last year, with one-third of them aged 30 or over.

However Mr Watkins recommended recruiters sift people out to find the genuine candidates who are not just applying so they can have a long summer off work.

"People underestimate teaching. They do need to visit schools before they apply. Their preconceived ideas are often either too positive or too negative," he explained.

Meanwhile, it was recently revealed independent school Wellington College has recruited a thinker and philosopher-in-residence to offer everyone concerned with the facility ideas about effective ways of thinking.