Potential recruits to teaching underestimate the starting salary for good graduates by more than 20 per cent, according to new research commissioned by the Teacher Training Agency (TTA) and the Department for Education and Employment.

The average estimate from students in the survey was £13,332 outside London and £15,305 in London. The actual figures, for new teachers with at least a 2^nd class honours degree, are £17,001 outside London rising to £20,001 in inner London.

The research findings have added further impetus to the TTA’s recruitment campaign -'Those who can, teach' - which has moved into its second phase this month with new advertising highlighting the improved starting salaries and other incentives.

Since the campaign was launched in October 2000, there has been a surge of interest in teaching, with unprecedented levels of enquiries from graduates, career changers, and those seeking to return to the profession. In March alone, the Teaching Information Line (0845 6000 991) was receiving an average of 1,177 calls per day. In addition, according to the March figures from the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR), the number of graduates applying to train as teachers has increased by 24 per cent.

School Standards Minister Estelle Morris said:

'This Government has made teaching a more attractive profession by introducing training bursaries and golden hellos. As well as the higher starting salaries and management allowances, prospects have improved with performance related promotion up to a maximum salary of £31,000 for those who want to stay in the classroom.

'We want to build on the fact that over the last year we had the single biggest increase in teacher numbers since 1976. This research proves how important it is to get these messages across.'

Ralph Tabberer, Chief Executive of the Teacher Training Agency said:

'Teaching is changing fast, and there is unprecedented interest in joining the profession, especially among people aged over 30 and considering changing careers. But we face stronger than ever competition from the private sector as we aim to attract the brightest and best graduates.

'Our recruitment campaign will continue to highlight the recent salary improvements and incentives introduced to support the unique emotional rewards which teaching offers, to ensure that everyone is no doubt that there has never been a better time to become a teacher.'

Notes to Editors

1. Under the new salary scales for teachers in England and Wales, which were announced on 2 February and came into effect this month, a good experienced classroom teacher can earn up to £31,000; a teacher in senior management role up to £36,800; an advanced skills teacher up to £44,600; and a headteacher up to £78,800. There are additional allowances of up to £3,000 for posts in London.
2. In the survey, carried out by independent research house ase London, questions about starting salary were asked of 277 students and 82 career changers between 22 January and 16 February. Students estimated the starting salary at an average £15,305 in London and £13,331 elsewhere. Estimates from career changers averaged £17,030 (London) and £14,828 elsewhere. The recruitment campaign 'Those who can, teach' was launched on 30 October.
3. The Teacher Training Agency (TTA) was established under the Education Act 1994. Its purpose is to raise standards in schools by attracting able and committed people into teaching and by improving the quality of teacher training.
4. The TTA is responsible for a wide range of initiatives to promote recruitment to the teaching profession; for funding initial teacher training, which is linked to the quality of the training provision and identified through OFSTED inspection; for further development of the standards for award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), including currently the new QTS Skills Tests for numeracy, literacy and ICT; and working with the New Opportunities Fund for the provision of training in the use of ICT in subject teaching.
5. Acknowledging the important role mature entrants have to play in the profession, the Government has also extended the successful Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP) designed to ease the transition between other careers and teaching. Details include:
   • An increase to 2,250 in the number of on-the-job training opportunities for eligible graduates to help meet demand;
   • Trainees have the security of being employed in a school. The TTA funds up to £13,000 for the trainee’s salary and up to £4,000 to cover training costs.