Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what her policy is on introducing chartered teacher status within the education profession; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Gibb, Minister of State for Schools: The government has no plans to introduce Chartered Teacher status. We are committed to supporting the work to establish a College of Teaching, an independent professional body for teachers. A consortium of education organisations is working to establish the College, and is considering whether the College could award Chartered Teacher status to members who have completed a programme of professional development. However, such operational decisions are the responsibility of the independent organisation itself, and not for the government to determine.

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