New training packages for school support staff

Public services union UNISON, which represents over 250,000 support and professional staff in education, has welcomed plans to introduce a new comprehensive training and development strategy aimed at driving up standards in schools.

Education secretary Charles Clarke announced plans last month which will see the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) working with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), individual schools and unions to develop tailored education packages for school support staff.

Dave Prentis, general secretary of UNISON, said: "School support staff, teachers and of course the children will all reap the benefits of better training opportunities. For many years the training needs of school support staff have been ignored, and because of that a lot of potential has been wasted.

"Support staff are a vital part of the school team, and play an important role in supporting teachers and helping to provide each child with an education tailored to their needs. UNISON is committed to the recognition of support staff skills, their development and the reward for them."

So far the LSC has enrolled 1,200 support staff (including administrators, midday supervisors and caretakers) on recognised courses. They hope to enrol up to 10,000 during the coming year.

UNISON has been part of a high-level group working with the LSC, and has campaigned for additional guaranteed training for all school staff including administrators, learning mentors, bursars, lunchtime supervisors and the new high-level teaching assistants.

The union has also received funding from the government to develop a web-based, user-friendly guide to training development and career pathways for all school staff.