A leading education union has warned that on the job training for new teachers is "not enough" to prepare individuals for a career in education.

The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) claims that the government's Teach First programme is, on its own, an inadequate method to train people for teaching jobs.

Nansi Ellis, head of education policy and research at ATL, said that the training needed to be supported with theory-based lessons on child development and pedagogy.

"Teach First trainees need a lot of support from schools, which translates into extra time and workload demands on experienced teachers and this impact on staff must be recognised by making timetable adjustments and providing support to those affected," she said.

Teach First is an independent charity launched in 2002 which aims to bring excellent teachers into challenged secondary schools across the UK.

To this end, the organisation helps top graduates become excellent teachers in challenged schools, committed to leading in their classrooms and overcoming the obstacles of deprivation.

Primary, secondary and supply teacher recruitment at Capita Education Recruitment.