The government has announced new professional standards for teachers in England following an independent review of the skills of English state school teaching staff.

The government launched the review in March 2011 after criticism that the current standards are ‘not fit for purpose’. More than a third of teachers do not feel they provide a good definition of teacher competence and 41 per cent believe they do not make any difference to the way they teach.

Sally Coates, Principal of Burlington Danes Academy in West London, led the review of standards for teachers and the government has welcomed many of the recommendations. The review highlights the need to replace an "old, ambiguous and vague system" with new standards which are "practical and clear about the competencies that all teachers should have".

The government will establish a single set of standards for all teachers, replacing the current duplication of different standards issued from different bodies.

The new professional standards say they must show tolerance and respect for the rights of others and “must not undermine fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs".

Teachers must "uphold public trust in the profession" and maintain high standards of ethics and behaviour in and out of school.

It goes on to emphasise that teachers should ensure their personal beliefs "are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils' vulnerability or might lead them to break the law".

The new standards are expected to be in place from September 2012 and have been welcomed by head teachers. The National Association of Head Teachers said the new standards were "a welcome foundation on which to build better practice".

Chair of the review , Sally Coates said, “Nothing has more impact on a child’s achievement than the quality of teaching they receive and in the new standards for teachers we have prioritised the importance of classroom practice and subject knowledge.

“I hope the review’s recommendations will ensure the benchmark for entry to the profession is rigorous and firmly based in teaching. I want every teacher to consider these the standards of expectation and build upon them in their career.”