IfL patrons write to the Guardian

12 April 2011

IfL has published in full a letter written by two of its patrons, Lord Tim Boswell of Aynho and Barry Sheerman MP, in response to an article published in the education section of the Guardian on 5 April 2011:

 

We were dismayed by the selective reporting in Andrew Mourant's article about IfL membership (5 April).
 
Like other professional bodies, the Institute for Learning (IfL) requires individuals to register, declare continuing professional development (CPD), and abide by a code of professional practice.  IfL defines CPD for further education and skills teachers as maintaining, improving and broadening relevant knowledge and skills in their subject specialism and teaching methods. Declaring CPD simply involves telling IfL how many hours of CPD a member has completed over the year, and no evidence needs to be sent unless the member is selected for sampling. That in 2009/10, 82 per cent declared their CPD by the deadline, is surely a notable result for so young a professional body.

IfL also confers full professional status, Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS), recently recognised for teaching in schools.

It is disingenuous to say that the “fees suddenly went up from £30 to £68 annually”. Transitional funding from the government is being used to extend the first membership period under self-funding to 18 months, and individuals who pay their own fee can claim tax relief, so that basic rate taxpayers in effect pay £54.40 for 18 months i.e. less than 70p a week. Those below the tax threshold, and those who are unemployed or retired, pay a concessionary fee of £45, which in this 18-month period equates to £30 a year. IfL’s elected non-executive board worked very hard to set the fee as low as possible, one of the lowest professional body fees in the country.

Most teachers and trainers say that they want a professional body, and we believe that with the strength gained from full membership, IfL will flourish as the supporter of their status and professionalism.


Lord Tim Boswell of Aynho
Barry Sheerman MP
(Patrons of IfL)

 

The Guardian published an excerpt of the letter on 12 April 2011.