A MALVERN headteacher has welcomed a scheme by Worcestershire County Council to train its own classroom assistants.

The scheme, called Worcestershire Professional Qualification for Teaching Assistants, was devised to combat the problems of recruiting qualified teachers.

The programme is made up of modules which people can vary at their own pace and which build towards a certificate and a diploma, accredited by University College, Worcester.

From there, teaching assistants can progress towards a foundation degree and a teaching qualification.

Jennifer Potts, head of Malvern Link Primary School, said: "I had a vision of a fully inclusive school with a teacher and a teaching assistant in every classroom, so that children could participate fully in the learning process.

"I've found all the training the county council has put on for teaching assistants to be brilliant."

June Seymour, the county's co-ordinator of teaching assistant training, said: "Contrary to public perception, teaching assistants are taking up the training in droves."