Join us
And find out why ATL is the fastest growing union in the education sector
Few teachers are struck off 'because few are incompetent'
07 July 2010
The Institute of Education (IOE) has hit back at claims that incompetent teachers are passed from school to school rather than being struck off.
Professor Dylan Wiliam, Professor of Educational Assessment and Deputy Director of the IOE, said few are dismissed because the majority of them are very capable.
He noted that in many cases, teachers move to another school because they are not suited that a particular environment.
"Sometimes we have people who are no good in a state school, because they can't keep control of rowdy kids, but they function very effectively in a more selective school, because they have good subject knowledge," Professor Wiliam explained.
He added that headteachers have sufficient powers and can sack teachers if they really see fit to do so.
A report carried out by BBC Panorama revealed that just 18 education professionals have been dismissed due to incompetence in the last 40 years.