HEADTEACHERS have made another sunshine trip to recruit teachers in the battle against shortages in the classroom.

A few months after a recruitment drive in Jamaica, Brent's Teacher Recruitment Service (TRS) and two headteachers, Kawal Singh, from Gladstone Park Primary in Sherrick Green Road, Gladstone Park and Paul Campbell, from St Mary's RC Primary in Quex Road, Kilburn, were down under in Australia.

Six Caribbean teachers have already started work after a hiring trip to Jamaica in October 2001.

Team member Rowena Maton said: "We recruited about 20 teachers to start later on in the year. It was very successful."

The borough suffers most acutely from the national shortage of teachers due to the high cost of living.

Supported by a thorough familiarisation programme, the Jamaican recruits received extra training before they began teaching last month. More teachers from Jamaica are expected in April.

The TRS offers a wide range of support to schools including the primary supply pool teachers who have met heads' selection criteria and have been successful at the interview stage.

"Brent Council will not allow itself to become complacent about the teacher shortage and it will vigorously strive to recruit teachers," said Cllr Helga Gladbaum, lead member for Education, Arts and Libraries.