Six-month training plan for teachers - graduate jobs

Outstanding graduates will be able to qualify as teachers in just six months under new Government plans to create fast-track training schemes to entice high performers into the classroom.

Under the plans announced by ministers people leaving a non-teaching career will be able to achieve professional status in half the current time in a bid to make it easier to switch to teaching.

Ministers are especially keen to attract people with experience in areas like financial services and high tech industries into subjects like mathematics and science, which have a shortage of staff.

Also under the new initiatives, which are part of a new public service reform paper, the highest-calibre of teachers will be able to progress within schools faster allowing them to become heads within four years.

Up to 200 "potentially excellent" school leaders will be identified early in their teaching careers and fast-tracked into top managerial positions under a new Accelerate to Headship programme, which will be launched in September 2010 by the National College of School Leadership.

Recruits to the scheme will receive personal support towards achieving the National Professional Qualification for Headship (NPQH) within four years.