ABSTRACT
In recognising the role that a more democratic model of education will play in creating schools which meet the needs of their communities, the time has certainly come for teachers, who are the experts on the ground, to make their voices heard. There are many routes into teaching, but most are too short to equip new teachers with the knowledge, skills and understanding of child development that are required for such a complex job. Teacher education in a number of the European countries such as Finland, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands – all of which outperformed England in the 2015 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests – is much lengthier and more comprehensive. The House of Commons Education Committee was also advised that practising teachers in England receive very little professional development compared to those in other European countries. The purpose of a staff council is to discuss general issues and recommend changes or improvements to school policies.
