Tristram Hunt MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, commenting on reports of Government plans for a College of Teaching, said: 

“David Cameron’s schools policy has damaged our education system and harmed the prospects for young people. His government is allowing unqualified teachers into our classrooms on a permanent basis and has signed off on the lowest entry requirements in to teaching anywhere in the developed world. There has been a 16 per cent rise in unqualified teachers in the past year alone. Combine this with his record on teacher recruitment that has seen the government miss recruitment targets for three consecutive years and we see a crisis brewing in our school system. 

"Labour will end this downgrading of school standards - our priority is to deliver a world class teacher in every classroom. This means all teachers will be qualified and required to stay up to date with teaching practice and subject knowledge as a condition of remaining in the classroom. Working with teachers, we will raise the status and standing of the teaching profession and lift the prospects for all children in all schools.”