A TRAINEE teacher today pleaded with the government to give her a job after her career plan was destroyed by just one exam mark.

Joanne Hill’s dream came true when she was offered a teaching post at a Salford primary school. Now she may never set foot in a classroom after twice failing a controversial test by one mark.

The trainee who hoped to devote her life to teaching wants Education Secretary David Blunkett to show leniency and might even seek a judicial review against him. Joanne, 22, of Riverside Road, Bury, who already has a GCSE maths grade B, said: ‘‘I am devastated. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was 11. I’m drawn to the idea of making a difference to a child’s life and I love being in a classroom. I feel let down by the system. I’ve given it everything, but I can’t graduate with qualified teacher status. My hope is that the system will change, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.’’

She has failed the numeracy test four times — the maximum number of attempts allowed. She failed the first time by five marks, the second by three and the last two by one.

The test was introduced last year to raise standards in the classroom.

Despite successfully completing her four-year degree and her teaching practice, new government rules mean all new teachers must pass the 45-minute test.

Joanne, who has run up student debts of £7,000, says state schools are crying out for staff to stem the national shortage and the system doesn’t add up.

‘‘The test doesn’t prove I am a good or bad teacher. It proves I am nervous in exams. They need to lower the pass mark, increase the number of attempts you are allowed.’’

Tutors at Edge Hill College of Higher Education say Joanne has proved capable in the classroom but there is nothing they can do.

'dreadful'

College spokesman Val Cowan said: ‘‘This is a dreadful situation for her to be in. We are tied by the Teacher Training Agency rules.’’

The Department For Education said: ‘‘We make no apology for ensuring that newly qualified teachers have the necessary numeracy skills to carry out their job effectively.

‘‘Evidence from Ofsted has confirmed that the numeracy standards for a significant number of teachers in schools are not good enough.’’

The Teacher Training Agency stresses that the tests aim to ensure teachers have the necessary skills — not trip them up. A spokesman said ‘‘This is a disappointing outcome for Joanne, but she does get her BA and could teach in further education or in the independent sector. There is an appeals process. The fact that she has failed four times doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s over.’’ Teaching union official Olwyn Gunn said: ‘‘At a time when there is such a teacher shortage, highly qualifed very good teachers will be lost simply because they can’t do a time-limited test.

‘‘It would make more sense to make the test an entry requirement, so at least those that failed could get on with their lives, instead of spending up to four years training.’’