COUNCILLORS in Worcestershire clashed over unqualified teachers today - amid claims children are being "robbed of a decent education".

Worcestershire County Council's Labour group says it is concerned about the growth of unqualified staff in schools, insisting an investigation should be launched to find out how deep it runs.

Latest statistics from the Department for Education shows there are 17,000 of them in the UK, with Councillor Paul Denham saying it is "putting the education of over 400,000 children in jeopardy".

But the group's stance was rubbished by the Conservative leadership, which said all state-school teachers in Worcestershire must be qualified.

Tory Councillor John Campion, who only took over the education brief this week, said he "did not recognise the figures".

The authority does not keep data on the situation with academies, which take on self-responsibility for their own staff.

Councillor Denham said: "I have no idea how many unqualified teachers are attempting to teach children in Worcestershire's state-funded schools, but there are over 17,000 in the UK according to the latest Government statistics - this is putting the education of over 400,00 children in jeopardy.

"Would we be happy to use an unqualified doctor, nurse, accountant, architect, surveyor, solicitor or engineer? I don't think so.

“And it is illegal to have electrical work done by an unqualified electrician.”

Councillor Denham, who used to be a teacher himself, called it "an abuse of unqualified staff, who are being exploited by schools", a "crude cost cutting measure" and said children were being "robbed".

Councillor Campion, the new cabinet member for children and families, said he did "not recognise the wording" Labour was using, insisting that all teachers taken on by the council "must have qualified teacher status" in Worcestershire.

"Of course, some schools will have to use assistants but the planning, the leading of classrooms has to be done by a qualified teacher," he said.

"The stats do not back up the outrage in your argument," he added.

He said "I'm not saying it doesn't happen, in isolated cases it probably does" but urged anyone with concerns to contact governors or the council, calling Councillor Denham's motion a "political stunt".

During the debate Conservative Councillor Ken Pollock blamed shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt for much of the concern nationally, saying he is "never challenged" on what he means by the term 'unqualified teacher'.

He said it was Labour which introduced academies, of which there are now 59 in the county, and highlighted the 'teach first' scheme by Labour where some teachers could spend two years in a classroom before getting fully qualified.

Lib Dem Councillor Liz Tucker said she was worried about unqualified teachers but called the motion's wording "annoying", insisting it went too far.

Councillor Adrian Hardman said academies were "bound to be more flexible" on the staff they appoint.

Liberal Councillor Fran Oborski said she disagreed with the motion, saying unqualified staff tend to cover for sick teachers rather than lead classes.

“These days it is very hard for a school to employ a floating teacher”, she said.

Others, like Conservative Councillor Andy Roberts, said he felt “classroom assistants do a wonderful job” and highlighted Tudor Grange School as a successful academy.

The motion to investigate the true picture failed by 29 votes to 12, despite backing from the Labour group and Green Matthew Jenkins.

Councillor Campion took over the education brief on Monday from Councillor Liz Eyre, who has left the cabinet.

Back in January the council rejected a plea to stop the rise in academies in Worcestershire, despite the policy leading to funding cuts.

Some 89 per cent of county schools are now good or outstanding according to Ofsted, a record rate.