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Description
The aims of this programme are to show graphically how the supply of schoolteachers has been planned over the past twenty-five years, and how the overall ratio of pupils to teachers has been affect...ed. The introduction to the programme shows the relationship between the annual birth rate and the number of pupils in school. If the pupil population in a given year is plotted on a graph against the number of teachers available, the variation in the overall pupil-teacher ratio from year to year can readily be seen. The central part of the programme shows the state of the system at four important mileposts over a quarter of a century. In 1951 the National Advisory Council on Teacher Demand and Supply issued its first report, in 1956 its fifth report and in 1965 its ninth (and last) report. In 1972, the Government produced its white paper "Education: A Framework for Expansion". The programme examines the predictions made in each of these documents, and shows why the actual change in pupil teacher ratio differed from that expected. The conclusion of the programme examines the problem of uncertainty in relation to future planning. The speaker in this programme is Peter Armitage, of the Civil Service College.
The aims of this programme are to show graphically how the supply of schoolteachers has been planned over the past twenty-five years, and how the overall ratio of pupils to teachers has been affect...ed. The introduction to the programme shows the relationship between the annual birth rate and the number of pupils in school. If the pupil population in a given year is plotted on a graph against the number of teachers available, the variation in the overall pupil-teacher ratio from year to year can readily be seen. The central part of the programme shows the state of the system at four important mileposts over a quarter of a century. In 1951 the National Advisory Council on Teacher Demand and Supply issued its first report, in 1956 its fifth report and in 1965 its ninth (and last) report. In 1972, the Government produced its white paper "Education: A Framework for Expansion". The programme examines the predictions made in each of these documents, and shows why the actual change in pupil teacher ratio differed from that expected. The conclusion of the programme examines the problem of uncertainty in relation to future planning. The speaker in this programme is Peter Armitage, of the Civil Service College.
| Module code and title: | E321, Management in education |
|---|---|
| Item code: | E321; 05 |
| First transmission date: | 20-07-1976 |
| Published: | 1976 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:02 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | David Saunders |
| Contributor: | Peter Armitage |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Annual birth rate; Framework for Expansion; Future planning; National Advisory Council on Teacher Demand and Supply; Predictions; Pupil population; Pupil/teacher ratio; Supply of teachers |
| Footage description: | The programme opens with a brief shot of a teacher and class. From the studio, Armitage explains that the programme will examine the relationship betweeen school population and the supply of teachers. Over an animated graph showing the number of births in England and Wales between 1900 and 1970, Armitage comments on fluctuations in the school population. He looks at eleven year periods from 1925 onwards, using an animated graph to indicate changes in school population. From the studio, Armitage explains the need for calculating the size of the teaching force. Over an animated flow chart Armitage indicates the balance between those entering and leaving the teaching profession. He uses an animated graph to show likely teacher-pupil ratios, and with the aid of another diagram he shows how changes in the numbers of pupils and teachers can affect the ratio. Armitage reviews the post-war attempts to forecast the demand for teachers. Using animated graphs, he assesses the first five reports of the National Advisory Council up to 1960. Armitage then jumps to the ninth report of the NAC, describing it over an illustrated graph. He explains its long term predictions. The 1972 White Paper A Framework for Expansion is examined, and reasons given for its rejection in 1974. Animated graphs show the sudden change in the number of births in the early 1970s. Armitage reviews the forecasts for the whole post war period. An animated graph shows the changes in forecasts. Armitage draws general conclusions about forecasting from the evidence shown in the programme. He argues that despite the uncertainty of forecasting, it is a necessary exercise. He advocates a more flexible approach than has hitherto been used. |
| Master spool number: | HOU1996 |
| Production number: | 00525_6132 |
| Videofinder number: | 3961 |
| Available to public: | no |
