Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether his Department plans to take steps to increase the confidence of non-subject specialist secondary teachers in teaching (a) music, (b) drama and theatre, (c) religious education and (d) geography as additional subjects.

The number of teachers remains high, with over 465,500 full-time equivalent (FTE) working in state funded schools across the country, which is over 24,000 more than in 2010.

To improve recruitment in particular subjects, a range of measures have been put in place, including bursaries, to encourage talented trainees to teach key subjects. For example, geography trainees may receive a tax-free bursary of £25,000.

Responsibility for supporting non-specialist teachers rests with secondary schools, as they are best placed to assess the needs of their staff and provide appropriate support, such as continuing professional development (CPD). The Department provides support to schools through a range of relevant programmes, including in music, English (which includes drama), religious education (RE) and geography.

Through the existing Music Hub programme, the Department will be placing a stronger emphasis on CPD for music education. Music Hubs currently offer CPD support, including to non-specialist secondary music teachers.

In RE, the Department is continuing to offer eight-week subject knowledge enhancement (SKE) courses, for candidates who have the potential to become outstanding teachers, but need to increase their subject knowledge. More information on these courses is available at: www.gov.uk/guidance/subject-knowledge-enhancement-an-introduction.

Although the Department does not provide specific funding for geography, non-specialist teachers secondary teachers can access resources offered by the Geographical Association at all stages of their careers to ensure they receive appropriate support and to enable them to constantly improve their practice.

Across all these subjects, curriculum resources will be procured by Oak National Academy, starting with English, geography and music in the first tranche of work and subsequently for RE during the second tranche of its work. Oak will work closely with the sector and utilise sector experience when producing new materials. This will ensure that high-quality lessons are available nationwide, benefitting specialist and non-specialist secondary teachers, as well as pupils.

Additionally, National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) are available to education professionals at all levels, from those who want to develop expertise in high quality teaching practice, to those leading multiple schools across trusts. The qualifications have been designed with professionals in mind, using the latest and best available evidence, and can be completed flexibly around existing commitments.

Four specialist NPQs are available for those who want to broaden their existing knowledge, expertise, and skills in specialist areas of teaching practice. This includes an NPQ in Leading Teaching, where participants will learn how to lead the teaching and learning of a subject, year, group or phase.