More school staff should take citizenship courses, says Ofsted

School staff have been urged to consider taking part in citizenship training, in order to boost their professional knowledge.

Ofsted has called on the relevant authorities to act to ensure that more teachers sign up to the courses on offer.

In 2006-07, there were 540 places available on these programmes, but just 284 people in jobs in education were recruited.

Now the schools watchdog is urging educational institutions to ensure their teachers take advantage of this opportunity.

It has noted that five out of six teachers who have taken the course say their professional knowledge and understanding have been significantly improved as a consequence of their participation.

Chief inspector Christine Gilbert commented: "Schools should consider how to make use of these courses to further support the improvement of teaching in this national curriculum subject."

She added that a growing number of good or outstanding citizenship training courses are now available.

Last year it emerged that human rights was to become part of the citizenship curriculum.




Published On 27/02/2009