Diversity in principle and practice: Addressing the problem of teacher supply

Diversification is one of the key terms in the new discourse of teacher training in England and Wales. Increasing the range of routes opens up choice to those seeking qualified teacher status and can be seen as part of the government's commitment to the market. It can also be seen as a pragmatic response to problems of teacher shortage. This paper examines the backgrounds and experiences of mature students on two different routes of initial teacher training, and explores the relationship between diversification of provision and subsequent levels of teacher supply.