Teaching is an increasingly popular career choice. New figures from the Graduate Teacher Training Register (GTTR) reveal that applications to the postgraduate certificate of education courses (PGCE) in England are up 12.5%. Teaching is the largest graduate recruiter, and all over the country there are still vacancies on initial teacher training courses especially in the science, mathematics and languages courses beginning in the autumn.

TTA Director of Teacher Supply and Recruitment Mary Doherty explains: 'The teaching profession has changed considerably over the last few years and teachers can now expect competitive salaries, better classroom support, great prospects and also the established benefits of teaching like working with a subject you enjoy, the opportunity to make a contribution to society and good holidays. In a recent survey commissioned by the TTA, teaching came out as the career of choice that would enable people to realise improvements in their lifestyle, finances and relationships.'

'These GTTR figures are encouraging. However, every place is important and I encourage graduates considering their options and especially those who may never have considered teaching, to take a fresh look at the profession. Training bursaries of up to £6,000 are available to postgraduates embarking on teacher training courses. For those choosing to teach certain subjects - including maths, sciences and modern foreign languages - an additional 'Golden Hello' of £4,000 may also be available. If graduates want to find out more about this rewarding career they can contact the Teaching Information Line on 0845 6000 991 - perhaps to arrange to talk to a teacher, or visit a school - to help them with their decision.'

For graduates concerned about paying off debts incurred whilst studying, from 1 September a pilot scheme is being introduced by the Government to re-pay over time the student loans of newly qualified teachers in priority subjects (maths, science, modern foreign languages, English (including drama), Welsh, design and technology, and information and communications technology. This scheme will apply to loans taken out through the Student Loans Company during first degree studies and initial teacher training.

'The introduction of loan repayments, complementing the existing training bursaries and golden hellos, means that teaching is better able to attract graduates in those areas where competition is strongest' concludes Doherty.

Also in September the TTA will run a national TV advertisement, part of the TTA's successful Canteach campaign. Focusing on the challenges, motivations and emotional rewards of a career in teaching, the campaign aims to support the drive to recruit potential trainee teachers to start courses as early as this autumn.

Simultaneous press advertisements centring on the priority areas for recruitment will communicate the benefits of a teaching career to potential trainee teachers especially those in maths, sciences, and languages - spelling out the financial incentives like the 'golden hello' payments that are available to trainees in these subjects.

If you want to find out about the initial teacher training course provider closest to you then go to www.canteach.gov.uk/pprofiles to get details. Use the GTTR website to find out which courses still have availability at www.gttr.ac.uk or 01242 544 788. For more information about teaching please visit the TTA's website on www.canteach.gov.uk

ENDS

PUBLIC ENQUIRIES: Teaching Information Line 0845 6000 991
www.canteach.gov.uk

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Financial Dynamics 020 7269 7219 / 7159 / 7122
TTA Press Office 020 7925 3755 / 3855
E-mail: pressoffice@teach-tta.gov.uk

Notes to Editors

1. Trainee teachers undertaking an accredited Initial Teacher Training course in England and Wales leading to a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) may be eligible for a bursary worth £6,000. Golden Hellos, worth £4,000, are paid to eligible teachers in the shortage subjects after they have successfully completed their induction period, normally at the end of their first year.

2. As of April 2002 graduate teachers starting in inner London can earn up to £20,595. For those living elsewhere it is £17,595. For those living outside inner London, a good, experienced classroom teacher can earn up to £32,250; a teacher in a senior management role up to £38,187; an advanced skills teacher up to £47,604; and a headteacher up to £85,704 (all £3,000 extra if teaching in inner London).

3. Details of the Repayment of Teachers' Loans (RTL) Scheme are set out on the Department for Education and Skills website teachernet, at http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/teachersloans The scheme will operate initially as a pilot in the academic years 2002/3, 2003/4 and 2004/5. Regulations setting out the details of the scheme have been laid before Parliament, following Royal Assent for the Education Act 2002.

4. New teachers will be able to have their student loans paid off over ten years for full-time teachers with income contingent loans, or around five to seven years for those with mortgage style loans. The full amount of outstanding loans will be repaid if the teacher works full-time and remains in an eligible post in line with the requirements of the scheme. For those who have studied in London for four years, the Government believes this could mean a saving of more than £13,000. For those who studied outside London, the benefit could be £10,500. Part-time teachers will receive pro-rata benefit. The scheme will cover supply teachers if they have a fixed term contract of at least eight weeks with a school, college or local education authority.

5. The Teacher Training Agency 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 in England.

6. Information about how to become a teacher is available from the TTA website, www.canteach.gov.uk Personal advice is available from the Teaching Information Line (tel: 0845 6000 991). Applications for teacher training places can be made on-line through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry, at www.gttr.ac.uk