Guernsey to hold teacher training course on island

Guernsey graduates will be able to train as teachers in the island for the first time.

The Education Department hopes the year long programme will rectify a shortfall of local qualified teachers.

Graduates are due to be paid just more than £20,000 a year to be trained in one of the island's schools.

Alan Brown, education's deputy director, said the year long course could result in fewer teachers being brought over from the UK.

The course is being offered in partnership with Brighton University.

Mr Brown said: "The Education Department is committed to employing local residentially qualified teachers wherever possible.

"This new programme will not only help us fill the island shortfall of teachers, it will [also] provide the opportunity for more mature students to consider a career in teaching when it is perhaps difficult for them to train off island because of family commitments."

He said anyone applying for a place must hold a recognised degree or equivalent and have passes of A*-C GCSEs or O-levels in English and maths for the secondary sector or English, maths and science for primary teaching.