Trainees re-sit core skill tests

A small percentage repeatedly resit tests

Trainee teachers are having to resit basic tests in maths, English and IT two or more times, figures have shown.

The core skills tests are a requirement for all would-be teachers in England and Wales.

Of the 31,206 candidates in 2004, 2-3% had to take numeracy, literacy or information and communication technology exams more than twice.

The Teacher Training Agency (TTA) figures show a handful of people had to sit them 10 times.

Wider role

In 2003-4, 87% passed numeracy first time, 9% on the second attempt and 4% on the third or more attempt. For literacy, that was 88% first time, 9% on second and 3% on subsequent attempts. For ICT the figures were 88%, 10% and 2%.

The papers are designed to check teachers' skills used in their role throughout school, They do not test subject knowledge required to teach a particular area of the curriculum.

SKILLS TESTS RESULTS Numeracy: 87.33% pass first time; 8.99% second; 3.68% more than two attempts Literacy: 88.21% pass first time; 9.18% second; 2.62% more than two attempts ICT: 87.99% pass first time; 9.95% second; 2.06% more than two attempts

They have been criticised by one teaching union as unnecessary because trainee teachers must have GCSE maths and English.

The tests were introduced in 2000. In 2001, a limit on the number of times a candidate could take them was abolished.

A TTA spokeswoman said of the results: "The number of people who take the skills tests more than twice is between 2 and 3 per cent. Within this a handful will have taken a test more than ten times.

"It may have been fifteen years since a trainee teacher has studied subjects such as maths and English so it's important that people prepare well and refresh their skills."