High-calibre private school teachers are welcome, says DfES

Tristram Jones-Parry, set to retire as head of Westminster School, wanted to teach maths in a state school - but is not sufficiently qualified.

But the Teacher Training Agency says there are flexible, fast-track routes for such experienced teachers.

This assessment process might only take a matter of days, it says.

A Department for Education and Skills spokesperson says the state sector would welcome teachers of the calibre of Mr Jones-Parry.

No barrier

And the government's teacher recruitment organisation has been quick to dispel the suggestion that there is any kind of artificial barrier to independent school teachers who want to transfer to the state sector.

It does seem odd that I've taught maths for 30 years at different schools - and I still teach A-level and GCSE, but I would not be allowed to teach in a state school Tristram Jones-Parry, Westminster School head

Mr Tristram Jones-Parry has highlighted the problem facing experienced independent-sector teachers who have never taken formal teacher-training qualifications.

These qualifications - such as the postgraduate certificate of education (PGCE) - are not compulsory in the independent sector, but are required for state school teachers.

So there has been a blaze of publicity surrounding the efforts of an experienced, successful teacher seeking to offer his skills in a subject where there has been a shortage of teachers.

"It does seem odd that I've taught maths for 30 years at different schools - and I still teach A-level and GCSE, but I would not be allowed to teach in a state school," Mr Jones-Parry told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Reports referred constantly to the shortage of maths teachers - and he said he would like to help in that area.

Flexible entry

The Teacher Training Agency (TTA) says experienced teachers have a fast-track route into the classroom, without having to re-train.

I find it difficult to understand why the state sector is apparently being criticised for seeking to maintain high standards of entry to the profession Chris Keates, NASUWT teachers' union

Teachers have to pass an assessment, including a classroom observation, and have to provide a portfolio of evidence of their teaching skills.

Although saying there is no fixed time limit for this process, the TTA says that a very experienced teacher, with a strong track record, could very quickly gain the accreditation necessary to transfer to a state sector school.

This could apply to teachers such as those coming to Britain from overseas or independent school staff without formal teacher-training qualifications.

Mr Jones-Parry says that in independent schools, staff are successfully recruited using interviews and the teaching of sample lessons - and he says it should be possible to create a system to allow experienced private school teachers to enter the state system.

But the TTA says that flexibility already exists - beyond the standard one-year postgraduate degree entry.

Teachers' union the NASUWT was not impressed by the complaint that this blocked good teachers from state schools - saying that the requirements over teaching qualifications was a way of assuring quality.

"I find it difficult to understand why the state sector is apparently being criticised for seeking to maintain high standards of entry to the profession," says acting general secretary, Chris Keates.