A HEADTEACHER has praised a Worcestershire County Council initiative to combat a shortage of teachers by training assistants.

The scheme gives teaching assistants the chance to start qualifying as teachers by gaining a certificate in professional studies from University College Worcester.

"The teaching assistants in our school have trained in their own time," explained Val Weddell-Hall, headteacher of Franche First School, Kidderminster.

"They are marvellous".