Under new government plans, leading private schools will be handed taxpayers' money in order to train teachers to go into the state system.

Head teachers will be given training grants to achieve this, according to the coalition, which said that it will help to create a new wave of teaching schools in England.

The new approach, which is modelled on NHS teaching hospitals, ought to ensure that more teachers are trained on the job rather than on postgraduate university courses.

Explaining the move, a spokesman for the Department for Education said: "Teaching schools are examples of the best schools in the country.

He added that the government is keen to encourage these schools, "whatever their type, to share their excellent practice and innovative ideas with other schools".

In other news, it was confirmed earlier this week that the NASUWT is to ballot its members in England and Wales on strike action over concerns relating to pensions, pay, working conditions and jobs.