The Teacher Training Agency has appointed an independent external adjudicator to settle complaints. Rhiannon Chapman, a former director of the Industrial Society and personnel director of the London Stock Exchange, will take up the post on Monday.
Ms Chapman will hear complaints from people dissatisfied with the way the TTA has handled their case internally. She will have no powers to order redress, but her annual report will be made public.
Her workload is unlikely to be onerous as the agency has rarely had to refer a complaint to an outside adjudicator in its five-year history. Anthea Millett, the TTA’s chief executive, said the agency was responding to Nolan Committee recommendations to make itself more accountable.
The potential for complaints arises because the TTA accredits and sets student intakes for teacher-training courses, and allocates funds.
Ms Chapman is a member of the Employment Appeal Tribunal in the High Court and a former member of the University Funding Council.