The figures follow recent Ofsted reports which found that, through improved training, the standard of newly qualified teachers has never been higher.

"For an increasing number of people, teaching now represents a smart career choice, both as a supported career and one in which you use your head every day," said Ralph Tabberer, Chief Executive of the TTA.

Registrations for undergraduate and postgraduate teacher training courses total 33,897 - eight per cent up on last year. The figures show:

• 15,651 people on primary courses - an increase of eight per cent;
• 18,246 on secondary courses - up nine per cent on last year; and
• increases of 16 per cent in mathematics, five per cent in modern languages and seven per cent in science.

The TTA has also come within 0.3 per cent of meeting its ambitious objective to increase the number of ethnic minority trainees to nine per cent. This is two years early.

In addition, around 6,400 people will begin employment-based routes this academic year, including the Graduate Teacher Programme.

David Miliband, School Standards Minister said:

"Rising staff numbers and rising quality are at the heart of an improving education system. The TTA's figures show that the measures we are taking to make teaching a more attractive career option are working.
'Teachers can also expect a better work / life balance now that the Workload Agreement is in place. Teachers no longer have to routinely do tasks such as photocopying and chasing up absentees. This will allow them to do what they do best - teach."

Ralph Tabberer said:

"We have scaled twin peaks this year. The number of people entering teacher training is at its highest level ever but also, very importantly, the standard of teacher training has risen.

"In a world which offers so many attractive career options, there is growing recognition that teaching offers the chance to be creative, to connect with young people, to meet intellectual challenges and to use your head. Not long ago we all knew someone who wanted to leave the profession. Now we all know someone who wants to be a teacher.

"I would like to thank the universities, colleges and schools who have worked hard to deliver quality teacher training programmes. Their efforts have played an immense part in this achievement."

Notes to editors

The total number of people who have registered on initial teacher training (ITT) courses in England for 2003/04 is attached. The figures are provisional and are based on the TTA's ITT Trainee Numbers Census which show that 31,918 had started training by 8th October 2003, including 281 on the DfES Fast Track programme. Training providers estimate that a further 1,979 trainees will start by 31st July 2004. The number of estimated starters is smaller than last year, when final recruitment nevertheless proved to be higher than the provisional data released in November 2002.

The registrations show that the number of male primary trainees is 13.3 per cent. The proportion of trainees from minority ethnic backgrounds is 8.7 per cent and the proportion of trainees who have declared themselves to have a disability is four per cent.
There are around 6,400 places on employment-based routes. Approximately 3,500 people have begun on the Graduate Teacher Programme; another 2,000 are expected to start during this academic year. There are around 600 places on the Overseas Trained Teachers Programme and 150 on the Registered Teachers Programme, with 174 people training under the Teach First initiative.
Eligible trainees on postgraduate courses are entitled to a training bursary worth £6,000. Trainees in priority subjects (English and drama, maths, science, modern languages, design and technology and ICT) are entitled to golden hello payments worth £4,000 after successfully completing their induction.

The TTA's 'Use your head. Teach' campaign began in September 2003.
Salaries for Newly Qualified Teachers starting in September 2003 are based on a pay scale which starts at £18,105 (£21,522 in inner London). The scale for classroom teachers rises to £39,093 in inner London and £33,150 in outer London and the rest of England.

Applications for most initial teacher training courses are processed through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry (www.gttr.ac.uk). Applications for primary training beginning in September 2004 must be submitted by 15 December 2003 to ensure they are sent to applicants' preferred providers.

The Teacher Training Agency was established under the Education Act 1994. Its purpose is to contribute to raising standards in schools in England by attracting able and committed people into teaching and by improving the quality of initial teacher training.

Media enquiries

TTA Press Office Tel: 020 7023 8080
Out of hours: 07771 934629
e-mail: pressoffice@teach-tta.gov.uk

Teaching enquiries

People interested in becoming a teacher should visit the TTA recruitment website or contact the Teaching Information Line
(tel: 0845 6000 991 €“ 992 for Welsh speakers).

General TTA enquiries: 0870 496 0123

Table showing the recruitment to postgraduate and undergraduate initial teacher training since 1999/00

Recruitment to initial teacher training since 1990/91