HUNDREDS of advanced teaching assistants are likely to be recruited to East Lancashire's schools with the power to lead classes and even stand in for absent teachers.

The new grade of assistant, expected to be announced by schools minister David Miliband tomorrow, will not be qualified to the degree level required of teachers, but will be more highly trained than the classroom assistants currently in schools.

Up to 50,000 are expected to be recruited nationally by 2006, as plans come into effect to allow teachers one day a fortnight out of the classroom for lesson preparation and marking.

The advanced assistants, who will mostly be recruited to primary schools, will be given the opportunity to use the position as a bridge to full teacher status by gaining further qualifications as they work.

Mr Miliband is also expected to unveil a list of 25 tasks, including photocopying and stock-taking, which teachers will no longer be expected to perform. They will become the responsibility of clerical staff and classroom assistants.

Advanced teaching assistants will be expected to be involved in leading drama, art, music and sport lessons on a routine basis and could be asked to step in for other subjects to cover for absent teachers.

The initiative should lead to a reduction in the cost of employing supply teachers -- now up to £125 a day.