Teachers: Graduates need a 2:2 - graduate jobs

The majority of teachers believe graduates should have at least a 2:2 degree in order to enter the classroom, a survey suggests.

But most do not think that a degree grade, or the university attended is an indication that someone will be a good teacher.

Ministers have announced plans to axe teacher training funding for graduates with less than a 2:2 degree as part of efforts to boost standards in schools.

The new poll, conducted by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) found that more than three in five (62%) think a 2:2 is necessary to teach secondary school pupils, while almost half (43%) think it is necessary for primary school teachers.

Two thirds (66%) agreed that sixth-form teachers should have a least a 2:2 degree.

But the survey, which questioned more than 650 school staff, found that 83% do not believe that someone's degree grade indicates how good they will be in the classroom.

And 71% said the college or university a student attended bears no relevance to how good a teacher they will be.

"Class of degree is no indication of quality of teaching. I have met PhDs who are terrible teachers," a south London secondary teacher told researchers.