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Written question asked by Baroness Cash (Conservative) on Thursday, 10 September 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 September 2026. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Teachers: Training

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the intensive training and practice requirement of the initial teacher training criteria will be retained without reduction for courses beginning in September 2027.

Answer

Intensive training and practice (ITAP) is designed to strengthen trainees’ knowledge, understanding and classroom practice by supporting them to engage with evidence-based approaches, apply learning in practice and receive focused expert feedback.

ITAP was introduced as a requirement for all initial teacher training (ITT) courses leading to qualified teacher status from September 2024 and continues to be an important part of ITT. The department has provided funding to support the implementation of ITAP. This academic year, ITAP funding is conditional on providers ensuring that trainees are well-equipped to teach pupils with special needs and disabilities. This is a condition of grant funding only and the ITT criteria requirements on ITAP remain unchanged.

The department continues to monitor the effectiveness of all the ITT quality requirements but has no current plans to amend ITAP requirements for courses beginning in September 2027.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3389
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Teachers Training
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk