Director’s Office

County Hall

Martineau Lane

Norwich

NR1 2DL

Minicom: (01603 223833)

Dr Bryan Slater

BCS/fc/cr 01603 223300

6 November 2001 01603 222481

To all Headteachers of Norfolk LEA Schools

Dear Headteacher

As part of our strategy to improve recruitment to the teaching profession we have been examining issues with colleagues from Suffolk LEA, The University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Teacher Training Agency (TTA). We are delighted that we have just received accreditation for a Norfolk and Suffolk Secondary School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) Course to commence in 2002. Discussions are well on their way for a similar primary course.

Another part of our strategy has focused on the availability of high quality school experiences for students engaged in Initial Teacher Training Courses. This, as I am sure you agree, is a key part of the process of support for those who will join the profession. We have agreed with the TTA to circulate the attached questionnaire to help them, and the LEAs, to build an accurate picture of schools’ experiences and perceptions of ITT.

I recognise how busy you are but hope you will agree that supporting all aspects of the recruitment issue is worth investing some of our time and effort. I hope, therefore, you will spend a little while in completing the attached questionnaire and return it to Fred Corbett, at the address overleaf by 14 December 2001 at the latest. The data will be analysed for the TTA by researchers at Anglia Polytechnic University. The outcomes will be used to improve and maximise the school experience of ITT students.

May I thank you in advance for your support in this valuable investigation.

Yours sincerely