Warrington getting education on the cheap claims MP

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PEOPLE teaching in Warrington’s schools without formal teaching

qualifications are adding to the quality of education,

according to the borough council, following claims from an MP that the town was getting education “on the cheap.”
They support an extended curriculum that adds to rather than detracts from the quality of provision, a spokesperson said.
The council was responding to claims by Warrington North MP Helen Jones that the government was trying to get education “on the cheap”.
Ms Jones (pictured) said she had obtained figures that showed 50 people were teaching in Warrington schools who did not have qualified teacher status.
She said 10 unqualified teachers were working in primary schools and 40 in secondary schools.
The MP added: “Recent reports have shown that the government is failing to recruit and train enough teachers. Now it is clear that unqualified staff are teaching in Warrington schools.
“ Our children deserve better than this. We would not dream of allowing unqualified doctors to treat us or unqualified nurses to look after us. The same principles should apply to the development of our children’s brains.
“Enthusiasm and a willingness to do the job are not enough by themselves: people need proper training. This government is trying to educate our children on the cheap and that will cost much more in the end.”
A borough council spokesperson said: “Current data shows that 98.6 per cent of teachers in Warrington have qualified teacher status.
“In Warrington, our aspiration is that all schools are good and outstanding and the quality of teaching underpins this ambition. The council takes seriously its statutory duty to champion the learner and we have established positive relationships with all of our schools regardless of status.
“There is a wide range of expertise available that can contribute to the quality of teaching provided and schools can add to the breadth and diversity of their educational offer through the engagement of sports, music, arts and other specialists.
“The schools employing non-qualified teaching staff do so to support an extended curriculum offer that adds to rather than detracts from the quality of provision.
“Warrington is fully committed to supporting a world class education system and will not compromise on this aspiration in a way that undermines the quality of teaching.”


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Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.

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