As debate on how to improve Scotland’s education system has gathered pace, there has been no shortage of proposals on how to win back a top position in the world education rankings. Major curriculum reform, lower class sizes and improved classroom resources are among many potential cure-alls to have dominated the headlines and debate in this area. But now a new panacea to cure the sector’s ills is fast emerging and instead of focusing on the pupil, the spotlight is very much on the teacher. A high quality teaching workforce is a hallmark of the world’s best education systems and there is a growing consensus that it’s exactly what gives them the edge.

With a view to building on the strengths of Scotland’s teaching workforce and to ensure that high quality teacher education and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) becomes the norm, the Scottish Government has appointed Graham Donaldson, former HM Senior Chief Inspector of Education, to conduct a review of teacher education. The wide-ranging review began in February 2010 and is tasked with considering the best way forward for each stage of teacher education – from Initial Teacher Education (ITE) to induction and CPD. Holyrood magazine’s inaugural teacher education conference will offer attendees an opportunity to hear from Graham Donaldson fresh from releasing the review’s recommendations at the end of 2010, ask what improvements should be made and how they can be delivered in austere times.

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