New benchmarks have been set for Key Stage 3 tests (for 14-year-olds) in English, maths, information- and communications-technology and science.
"Now they've got shortage subjects they can't cover, we've lost staff to local schools in maths, information technology, science and English," says Kevin Finnegan, principal of Orpington College, Kent.
Under the proposals, students will only receive their diploma after passing tests in three "core" skills needed for the workplace - literacy, maths and information and communications technology.
In addition to maths, English and information and communication technologies, students learn the "life skill" of using fresh ingredients, according to the prospectus.
As a teacher in one of the key recruitment areas of maths, science or information and communication technology (ICT), David can expect to start as a newly-qualified teacher on £21,102 a year or £26,000 if he were teaching in inner London.
The interest in teaching is now so high that the TDA has set up a programme for career switchers called Transition to Teaching aimed at people who want to change careers to teach maths, science or information and ICT at state secondary schools.
Their wares simply can't work - not without changing the laws of physics, maths and information science.
Can you advise me on the finances available and my best route for achieving QTS?" The bursary for postgraduate trainee teachers on PGCE or School-Centred Initial Teacher Training courses is pounds 9,000 for those training to teach secondary maths, science, English, drama, information and communications technology, design and technology, modern languages, religious education or music.
Other Education Show themes this year include maths, English, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT).
Key skills were the tests introduced to promote basic competence in maths, English and information technology but, as reported in Education Guardian last year, universities did not take kindly to the new tests.
But employers rate very few; there is no proper test of competence for most of those who complete them; and although apprentices are expected to be "working towards" an acceptable standard of functional maths, English and information technology, it is unclear how often that is achieved.
