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Elizabeth Truss MP

Teachers are in short supply in South West Norfolk, according to , its Conservative MP.

She raised the matter in the Commons and called on the Government to extend the successful to Norfolk.

Teach First was started in 2002 and sends top graduates to teach in poor performing schools for at least two years. Although it's available in six other regions, the East is not currently one of them. thinks it should be.

She also suggested the possibility that national pay guidelines should be relaxed for subjects that have difficulty in recruiting teachers.

Such a move would make it easier for head teachers to attract qualified candidates, argued the SW Norfolk MP.

(Minister for Schools) had some interesting news. He told her: "On pay, my honourable friend will be interested to know that a further remit will be issued to the School Teachers' Review Body later this year asking for recommendations on how the pay and conditions system can be made less rigid.

"This work will build on the current extensive flexibility, which will allow schools to pay to attract and retain teachers."

Have the ears of the and other interested parties pricked up at this suggestion?

Mr Gibb praised the work of , supported by the National College, to develop local solutions to meet the demand for head teachers.

Afterwards Elizabeth Truss said: "I want all available tools, including successful programmes like Teach First, to be accessible to schools in Norfolk. It is vital that schools in South West Norfolk are able to recruit teachers in short supply subjects."

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