Rigorous recruitment for teachers suggested

Graduates may find that the hiring process for teaching is to be tightened in the near future, following the publication of a new study.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr) has claimed that poor secondary school teachers can mean many students fail their GCSE exams.

Poor teaching practice can make the difference between achieving a grade C or D at GCSE level, the ippr report stated.

The body has therefore called for a more rigorous recruitment process.

Julia Margo, the ippr Associate Director and lead author of the report, stated that people 'aspire' to work in the teaching profession - however it is a career that is not attracting the top graduates.

This is despite recent Government figures which stated that the number of teachers and support staff increased over the last year.

Ms Margo suggested: 'Improving the recruitment and professional development of teachers would enable schools to improve or replace poor-performing teachers.'