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Thames Polytechnic

Volume 31: debated on Tuesday 9 November 1982

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asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out the criteria under which he is proposing to close initial teacher training courses at the Dartford site of the Thames polytechnic; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend took into account a wide range of factors including:

the efficient use of resources
the commitment of the institution and the maintaining LEA or
providing body to teacher training
the strangths of the institution
the size of the commitment to education
the relationship between teacher training and other courses
the existing base for primary work
recruitment patterns
facilities and resources
the relationship between PGCE and BEd courses
in-service training
geographical distribution of institutions
the proportion of places previously allocated to the different denominational interests.
Institutions were not considered in isolation and it would be a misunderstanding of the process to attempt to identify specific factors in respect of individual institutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what alternative teacher training opportunities will be available in Kent and south London if specialist primary and PE courses are withdrawn from the Dartford site of Thames polytechnic.

We have decided that initial teacher training should be discontinued at Thames polytechnic. Primary courses will continue in Kent at Christ's Church college, Canterbury; within the Greater London area south of the River Thames at Avery Hill college, Goldsmiths' college, Kingston polytechnic, Roehampton institute of higher education and the polytechnic of the South Bank. Avery Hill college will also offer PE training.