THE largest teaching union has accused Labour of destroying the profession's graduate status to save money.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) says that changes to regulations means that schools can employ people to work in classrooms who do not have a degree or Qualified Teacher Status.

General Secretary Doug McAvoy said regulations required heads only to "have regard" to qualifications of people they hired.

Teacher training from OU

THE Open University has just become part of the national push to get more people to consider teacher training --- by placing OU students in classrooms with school teachers to give them a short 'taster' experience.

The OU's Faculty of Education and Languages will get £2m from the Teacher Training Agency to attract students from maths, science, technology, foreign languages, music and geography courses into the Student Associates Scheme.

Students interested in the scheme should call 01908 653801.

Book in...

SECONDARY schools have until November 28 to register to receive tokens for World Book Day 2004 on March 4. The registration form is available to download from the WBD website at www.worldbookday.com

Safety first

PARENTS Online Safety Week (November 10 to 14) is an initiative by the DfES to help parents understand the role of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in learning.

Free events will be held across the country to show parents how important Internet and computer skills are. Details can be found at www.parentsonline.gov.uk

Classrooms extension

CLASSROOMS at Shadsworth Infant School in Blackburn are set to be extended.

The Department of Education and Lifelong Learning at Blackburn with Darwen Council has applied for planning permission to carry out the work.